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Scudder, L. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Scudder, L. R..

Tunisia Renewable Energy Project systems description report

In 1979, the Agency for International Development (AID) initiated a renewable energy project with the Government of Tunisia to develop an institutional capability to plan and institute renewable energy technologies in a rural area. The specific objective of the district energy applications subproject was to demonstrate solar and wind energy systems in a rural village setting. The NASA Lewis Research Center was asked by the AID Near East Bureau to manage and implement this subproject. This report describes the project and gives detailed desciptions of the various systems.

Scudder, L. R.↗

Status of DOE and AID stand-alone photovoltaic system field tests

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is managing stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID). The DOE project includes village PV power demonstration projects in Gabon (four sites) and the Marshall Islands, and PV-powered vaccine refrigerator systems in six countries. The AID project includes a large village power system, a farmhouse system and two water pumping-irrigation systems in Tunisia, a water pumping/grain grinding system in Upper Volta, five medical clinic systems in four countries, PV-powered vaccine refrigerator systems in 18 countries and a PV-powered remote earth station in Indonesia. This paper reviews these PV projects and summarizes significant findings to date.

Bifano, W. J.↗

Application of semiconductor diffusants to solar cells by screen printing

Diffusants were applied onto semiconductor solar cell substrates, using screen printing techniques. The method was applicable to square and rectangular cells and can be used to apply dopants of opposite types to the front and back of the substrate. Then, simultaneous diffusion of both dopants can be performed with a single furnace pass.

Evans, J. C., Jr.↗

Photovoltaic water pumping applications: Assessment of the near-term market

Water pumping applications represent a potential market for photovoltaics. The price of energy for photovoltaic systems was compared to that of utility line extensions and diesel generators. The potential domestic demand was defined in the government, commercial/institutional and public sectors. The foreign demand and sources of funding for water pumping systems in the developing countries were also discussed briefly. It was concluded that a near term domestic market of at least 240 megawatts and a foreign market of about 6 gigawatts exist.

Rosenblum, L.↗

Photovoltaic village power application: Assessment of the near-term market

The village power application represents a potential market for photovoltaics. The price of energy for photovoltaic systems was compared to that of utility line extensions and diesel generators. The potential domestic demand was defined in both the government and commercial sectors. The foreign demand and sources of funding for village power systems in the developing countries were also discussed briefly. It was concluded that a near term domestic market of at least 12 MW min and a foreign market of about 10 GW exists.

Rosenblum, L.↗

Photovoltaic refrigeration application: Assessment of the near-term market

This foreign and domestic market assessment was performed as part of the Tests and Applications Project being conducted by NASA-LeRC as part of the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Photovoltaic Program. One of the objectives of that program was to stimulate the demand for photovoltaic power systems so that appropriate markets would be developed in concert with the increasing photovoltaic production capacity. The refrigeration application represented a possible market for photovoltaics; hence, a brief survey of potential applications was conducted. Both refrigerators and refrigeration systems were considered in the assessment although the primary emphasis is on refrigerators of 9 cu ft of less. Three user sectors were examined: (1) government, (2) commercial/institutional, and (3) general public.

Rosenblum, L.↗

Photovoltaic highway applications: Assessment of the near-term market

A preliminary assessment of the near-term market for photovoltaic highway applications is presented. Among the potential users, two market sectors are considered: government and commercial. Within these sectors, two possible application areas, signs and motorist aids, are discussed. Based on judgemental information, obtained by a brief survey of representatives of the two user sectors, the government sector appears more amenable to the introduction of photovoltaic power sources for highway applications in the near-term. However, considerable interest and potential opportunities were also found to exist in the commercial sector. Further studies to quantify the market for highway applications appear warranted.

Rosenblum, L.↗

Photovoltaic remote instrument applications: Assessment of the near-term market

A preliminary assessment of the near term market for photovoltaic remote instrument applications is presented. Among the potential users, two market sectors are considered: government and private. However, the majority of the remote systems studied are operated by or for the federal, state, or local governments. Environmental monitoring and surveillance remote instrument systems are discussed. Based on information obtained in this preliminary market survey, a domestic, civilian market of at least 1.3 MW sub pk is forecast for remote instrument systems. This estimate is exclusive of several potentially large scale markets for remote instruments which are identified but for which no hard data is available.

Rosenblum, L.↗

Application of thick-film technology to solar cell fabrication

Several uses of thick-film technology in solar cell fabrication are discussed. Wrap-around contacts are obtained by first printing and firing a dielectric over the edge and subsequently applying a low-firing temperature conductor. Interconnection of cells into arrays can be achieved by printing and co-firing thick-film pastes, soldering, or with heat-curing conductive epoxies on low-cost substrates. Despite ongoing research, printed (thick) film vitreous protective coatings do not yet offer sufficient optical uniformity and transparency for use on silicon. Ohmic contacts on n- and p-type silicon are considered.

Field, M. B.↗

Design, fabrication and characteristics of new types of back surface field cells

Several new types of back surface field (BSF) cells were designed and fabricated. These include boron and phosphorus diffused BSF cells, single crystal epitaxially grown BSF cells and chemically vapor deposited (CVD) polycrystalline BSF cells. Boron diffusion yielded 10 ohm-cm BSF cells with 0.6 volt open-circuit voltages and collection efficiencies equal to those previously reported for aluminum alloying. The epitaxially grown cells also exhibited high open-circuit voltages and collection efficiencies and may be more radiation damage resistant. The polycrystalline cells had very high internal series resistance. No direct relationship was found to exist between collection efficiency and open-circuit voltage in BSF cells.

Mandelkorn, J.↗

Design, fabrication and characteristics of new types of back surface field cells

Several new types of back surface field (BSF) cells were designed and fabricated. These include boron and phosphorus diffused BSF cells, single crystal epitaxially grown BSF cells and chemically vapor deposited (CVD) polycrystalline BSF cells. Boron diffusion yielded 10 ohm-cm BSF cells with 0.6 volt open-circuit voltages and collection efficiencies equal to those previously reported for aluminum alloying. The epitaxially grown cells also exhibited high open-circuit voltages and collection efficiencies and may be more radiation damage resistant. The polycrystalline cells had very high internal series resistance. No direct relationship was found to exist between collection efficiency and open-circuit voltage, V sub oc in BSF cells. Results indicate that the V sub oc effect is not caused simply by the mechanism of blocking of minority carriers.

Mandelkorn, J.↗