Project to Cut Costs for Solar Cells.

Energy Optimization News, May, 2003

DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) awarded a subcontract on May 8, 2003, to Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) for the development of new solar cell manufacturing technology. The research project will concentrate on developing online diagnostic systems, closed-loop control, and continuous online optimization of a solar cell manufacturing line large enough to produce 30 MW of solar cells each year. Manufacturing lines built with the new technology will have more rapid start-up and commissioning, higher yields, and lower production costs.

NREL will contribute approximately $3 million toward the $6 million, 3-year subcontract, with ECD providing the balance of the funds. United Solar Systems, an ECD subsidiary, currently operates the world's...

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