Research

Argonne Scientist Jeff Elam examines solar cell components fabricated using atomic layer deposition.

Current solar energy technologies perform well, but their costs are too high to compete directly with fossil fuels. Without significant subsidies, incremental improvements to these technologies will not bring the cost down enough to compete directly with fossil fuels on a global scale. We need to develop next generation technologies with potential for very low cost implementation. Basic science is needed to design, synthesize, and understand these materials. Applied science is needed to optimize performance and scale up the fabrication of devices based on these materials. Systems analysis can provide insight into how the complex interplay of issues such as variability of sunshine, geographic and resource factors, regulation, environment and economics will impact the market penetration of these technologies.

Argonne’s research covers many aspects of solar energy, but there is a focus on four specific areas:

	Next generation photovoltaic technologies such as organic, hybrid, and dye-sensitized solar cells
	Transparent conductors deposited on 3-D photovoltaics
	Concentrating sunlight
	Systems analysis and environmental impact

Photovoltaics and concentrated solar power will usher in a new electrical energy economy. Looking forward even further, turning sunlight into chemical fuels is an exciting route to replacing fossil fuels in the transportation sector, and with its research partners Argonne is laying the groundwork to tackle this goal. Argonne’s integrated approach to solar energy research represents a new way of addressing the challenges associated with shifting global energy generation away from fossil fuels to provide a clean, secure, and virtually limitless supply of energy for the future

Solar fuels

April 2013