Recent Developments in Photovoltaics

In this paper we describe the long-term (late 1990s) cost and efficiency goals of the recently issued National Photovoltaics Program Five-Year Research Plan, technical goals which are based on a constant dollar electricity cost target of 6.5 cents/kWh. We next discuss an assessment using material requirements for estimating the potential of different PV technologies to meet these goals. Thisassessment suggests that thin-film PV technologies, especially amorphous silicon, have much potential for achieving the long-term goals. Finally, we describe the recent achievements and near-term thrusts of the research efforts conducted by SERI.