US-based Magnolia Solar is working to complete and commercialize high-efficiency, nanostructured thin-film solar cells to achieve 20% efficiency with a cost goal of less than $0.50 per watt.
The company’s patent-pending solar cells use nanotechnology on the surface of the cell to reduce the amount of light that reflects resulting in a higher concentration of trapped light to ensure a greater percentage of photons available for conversion into electricity.
“Nanostructure-based anti-reflection coatings can improve the performance of a solar cell by minimizing reflection losses at the air/solar cell interface to less than 2%,” says Dr. Ashok Sood, President and CEO of Magnolia Solar. “At the same time, this approach can increase the power output of the solar cell throughout the day, even during dusk and dawn, when the sun is low on the horizon. Nanotechnology makes it possible to harness not only visible light, but also ultraviolet and infrared radiation, which enhances cell performance. Finally, pursuing a thin-film design can minimize semiconductor material costs. The combined result of these steps could be the achievement of increased power output and ultra-high efficiency without an associated increase in cost.”
To date, Magnolia Solar has won two Phase I contracts from the US Air Force, two contracts from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and a Phase I contract from NASA, to further its research and development goals. Magnolia solar is developing this technology for terrestrial, space and defense applications where ultra high efficiency solar cell performance is needed.
Magnolia Solar will also be partnering with Albany Nanotech/CNSE to benefit from the $58 million award by the US Department of Energy (DoE) announced in April for Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative (PVMI). This program is being supplemented by an additional $100 million in investments from the New York state and NYSERDA. This program will build the pilot facility for thin-film solar cell manufacturing in the Albany region that Magnolia Solar will have access to, providing substantial benefits from the DoE and NY State Investment while lowering its capital requirements.
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