The U.S. Department of Energy announced Monday the launch of the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium, a multimillion dollar initiative designed to make cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells less expensive, more efficient and develop new markets for solar cell products.
CdTe solar cells were first developed in the United States and are the second-most common photovoltaic technology in the world after silicon.
Dr. Yanfa Yan, professor of physics, explains his research to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur during a tour of the Research and Technology Complex.
The University of Toledo, a leader in solar energy innovation for more than 30 years, will lead the consortium.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced that without strengthened domestic manufacturing capacity, the U.S. will continue to rely on clean energy imports, exposing the nation to supply chain vulnerabilities while simultaneously losing out on the enormous job opportunities associated with the energy transition. The consortium’s efforts to spur technological advancements will increase America’s competitiveness, bolster domestic innovation and support clean electricity deployment supporting President Joe Biden’s goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur made the announcement from UToledo where officials gathered near a 337-kilowatt solar array that sits on 2.3 acres of Health Science Campus.
“As solar continues its reign as one of the cheapest forms of energy powering our homes and businesses, we are committed to a solar future that is built by American workers,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE is proud to partner with leading solar researchers and companies to chart the future of CdTe technology, which presents an immense opportunity for domestic manufacturers to help ensure our nation’s security while providing family-sustaining jobs.”
“To move America forward, we need an all-of-the-above strategy that propels our energy independence, lowers costs and creates good-paying jobs. Northern Ohio has already revolutionized the field of solar technology,” said U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur. “Now, through this remarkable partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, The University of Toledo and First Solar — our region will become a hub of next-generation energy innovation that is built right here at home by Ohio’s workers.”
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm announces the launch of the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium, a $20 million initiative to be led by UToledo that is designed to make cadmium telluride solar cells less expensive and more efficient.
The new Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium will work on continued cost and efficiency improvements that will make CdTe cheaper and more efficient and more competitive on the global market. To achieve these goals, the team has a broad research plan that includes CdTe doping strategies, characterizing and exploring new CdTe contacting materials and work to enable a bifacial CdTe module that absorbs light from the front and back of the module.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory will administer the consortium, whose leaders were chosen through a competitive solicitation released last year. The consortium will be led by The University of Toledo and includes First Solar, Colorado State University, Toledo Solar Inc. and Sivananthan Laboratories Inc.
Prior to the announcement of the consortium, Granholm and Kaptur toured the Research and Technology Complex on Main Campus to see and hear about active energy research projects underway at UToledo.
“Our world requires scientific innovation to address the inefficient ways we find, produce and consume energy,” UToledo President Gregory Postel said. “The University of Toledo is proud to help power the future by leading this consortium that leverages our expertise in solar energy research and commercialization and strengthens our partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and other leaders in this important and growing field.”
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will serve as a resource, support and technical analysis center as the consortium develops a technology roadmap, conducts research to meet targets set within the roadmap and regularly assesses the domestic CdTe supply chain for challenges and opportunities. The consortium aims to expand domestic CdTe photovoltaic material and module production, support the domestic CdTe supply chain and enhance U.S. competitiveness.
Learn more about the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium on the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory website.
