Electricity from photovoltaic solar cells: Flat-Plate Solar Array Project final report. Volume I: Executive Summary

Abstract

In 1975, the U.S. Government contracted the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop, by 1985, in conjunction with industry, the photovoltaics (PV) module and array technology required for widespread use of photovoltaics as a significant terrestrial energy source. As a result, a project that eventually became known as the Flat-Plate Solar Array (FSA) Project was formed to manage an industry, university, and Government team to perform the necessary research and development. The original goals were to achieve widespread commercial use of PV modules and arrays through the development of technology that would allow them to be profitably sold for $1.07/Wp (1985 dollars). A 10% module conversion efficiency and a 20-year lifetime were also goals of the Project. The Project was able to develop the technology to a point where properly scaled production facilities, incorporating the latest technology, could profitably produce PV arrays for $1.45/Wp (1985 dollars), array conversion efficiencies of more than 13%, and lifetimes approaching 20 years with 10-year manufacturer warranties as an industry standard. It is intended that this Executive Summary provide the means by which the reader can gain a perspective on 11 years of terrestrial photovoltaic research and development conducted by the FSA Project. Seven technology reports (Volumes II through VIII), covering the principal aspects of the technology development approach taken by the FSA Project, constitute the focus of the FSA Project Final Report. It is recommended that readers interested in the development of the Project management planning and decision-making process refer to Volume VIII, which describes the Project Analysis and Integration Area support to the FSA Project. This FSA Final Report (JPL Publication 86-31, 5101-289, DOE/JPL 1012-125, October 1986) is composed of eight volumes, consisting of an Executive Summary and seven technology reports: Volume I: Executive Summary. Volume II: Silicon Material. Volume III: Silicon Sheet: Wafers and Ribbons Volume IV: High-Efficiency Solar Cells. Volume V: Process Development. Volume VI: Engineering Sciences and Reliability. Volume VII: Module Encapsulation. Volume VIII: Project Analysis and Integration. Two supplemental reports included in the final report package are: FSA Project: 10 Years of Progress, JPL Document 400-279, 5101-279, October 1985. Summary of FSA Project Documentation: Abstracts of Published Documents, 1975 to 1986, JPL Publication 82-79 (Revision 1),5101-221, DOE/JPL-1 012-76, September 1986.

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