Progress in the development of high-conversion-efficiency a-Si/μc-Si tandem solar module using μc-Si thin film with high deposition rate on Gen. 5.5 large-area glass substrate
The technology to make high-quality, high-reliability solar modules with a high deposition rate for μc-Si thin-film is a problem for the industrialization of low-cost, high-conversion-efficiency a-Si/μc-Si tandem structure solar modules. Sanyo has solved this problem by developing an original CVD technique called Localized Plasma Confinement CVD and a new evaluation method for μc-Si thin film. A stabilized conversion efficiency of 10.0% was achieved for an a-Si/μc-Si tandem structure solar module, and a deposition rate of 2.4 nm/s for μc-Si thin-film was attained on a Gen. 5.5 full-size glass substrate. To obtain a higher conversion-efficiency a-Si/μc-Si tandem structure solar module, fundamental studies of μc-Si thin-film have been performed, and a stabilized conversion efficiency of 10.5% (Initial solar module conversion efficiency: 12.0%) has been achieved on a large-area glass substrate. Furthermore, in the study of this development, the highest stabilized conversion efficiency of 12.0% (Initial conversion-efficiency: 13.5%) was attained. Module reliability tests confirmed by IEC 61646 Ed. 2 revealed that the performance of the module is adapted. These high-performance a-Si/μc-Si tandem structure solar modules were prepared by using the knowledge of our thin-film and module technologies.
Identification of defective regions in thin-film Si solar cells for new-generation energy devices
We developed a high-conversion-efficiency, a-Si/μc-Si tandem solar module using μc-Si thin film on a Gen. 5 class glass substrate. The stabilized module efficiency was 10.7% (initial module efficiency: 12.0%). We prepared high-performance a-Si/μc-Si tandem solar cells based on our original technology for μc-Si thin films with localized plasma confinement chemical vapor deposition, optical confinement techniques, and laser patterning. To obtain higher conversion efficiency, optical confinement techniques are crucial, especially transparent conductive oxide (TCO) controlling technology. However, high-performance TCO includes steep valleys in the texture structure. Therefore, many defective regions are generated in the deposition of μc-Si thin film that degrade the solar cell performance. In this study we structurally identified these defective regions and propose a new formation model of the defective regions.
Same Same But Different - also in Europe! A New Methodological Approach in Cross-Country Analysis of Communication Structuresapplied to five EU member states
The EU still lacks a truly European public sphere. On this level, there is still a clear lack of integration between individual member states. This means that national public spheres and cultures are still of great importance for European communication and media professionals. Comparative research into the similarities and differences between different nations is therefore valuable for cross-border PR communication activities. This paper lays out the methodological foundation for such research, discussing possible approaches and difficulties associated with comparative research. The author then introduces a potential heuristic framework for comparative analysis: the International Corporate Communication Compass. This framework is applied to five case-study EU countries (Denmark, Germany, France, Poland and the UK), showing the differences and similarities in a range of different contexts that affect public communication in all its forms. The conclusion examines how the results of such studies could be used in order to compare communication identities of different countries. This can potentially help in the development of a European public identity on the long run and in a first step can led towards a better, more adapted communication structure about European citizenship. Ultimately, communication structures within the EU might become more Europeanized than they