Semiconductor manufacturing for clean energy economy

Abstract

Global use of solar energy and wind energy will provide clean energy for sustainable global economic growth. The use of photovoltaic systems for DC power generation and the delivery and the utilization of DC power will bring revolution in energy field by providing ultra-low-cost clean energy to rich and poor all over the world. Ultra large scale manufacturing of PV modules coupled with wide band gap (notably SiC and GaN) based semiconductor manufacturing will enable the DC power production, delivery and utilization in a manner similar to what silicon semiconductor manufacturing has done in enabling the information revolution.. In this paper we have described the current status of photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing and WBG based semiconductor manufacturing and provided directions for future R& D and commercialization that will lead to sustainable global economic growth of clean energy economy.