Solar3D optimizing 3-dimensional solar cell design for low-cost mass production

SANTA BARBARA, USA: Solar3D Inc., the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, announced that it is consulting with outside manufacturing experts to optimize the prototype design for low-cost mass production.

Jim Nelson, CEO of Solar3D, said: “Creating a solar cell that is significantly more efficient than current technology is only half of our mission. It is essential that we make it as inexpensively as possible. The use of experts from the outside has helped us make slight modifications to the design that will save significant operating and capital expense.”

Inspired by light management techniques used in fiber optic devices, the company’s innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. Solar3D’s management believes that this breakthrough solar cell design will dramatically change the economics of solar energy.

“We are still ahead of schedule and making progress faster than anticipated,” continued Nelson. “By optimizing the prototype design in the early stages, we save time and money as we move into the production phase of our plan next year. As a result, we believe we will be able to contribute significantly to the industry’s pursuit of the SunShot initiative outlined by Energy Secretary, Stephen Chu, to bring the cost of solar electricity to grid parity.”