Status and Recent Progress in Photovoltaic Manufacturing in the USA

This paper describes the present status of photovoltaic technology and recent manufacturing progress obtained through the U.S. Department of Energy's Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology Project (PVMaT). Although barriers to the widespread use of photovoltaics-a clean and renewable energy-continue to exist, many of these barriers are cost-related and can be addressed through further research onexisting approaches. Important areas for development are new materials, improved manufacturing processes, more efficient conversion of sunlight to electricity, and ensured long-term reliability. Improvements in these areas can be expected to lead to lowering of system costs and, ultimately, of energy cost. Specific improvements in manufacturing processes by individual PVMaT participants aredescribed.