Prof. Tyler Grassman (MSE/ECE) was awarded $1,124,999 to develop a tandem solar cell with gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) on silicon (Si) aimed at 30% or higher efficiency. This research is powered by the U.S. Department of 
Energy SunShot Initiative’s Photovoltaic Research and Development program and will support the development of next generation photovoltaics technology, driving solar cost reductions and reliability improvements for years to come. Prof. Grassman’s project will support the SunShot goals by developing a mature GaAsP/Si tandem cell that could be manufactured at scale via existing Si and III-V tooling and infrastructure, greatly reducing capital expenditures and revitalizing existing manufacturing industries.
The SunShot Initiative’s Photovoltaic Research and Development (PVRD) funding program pushes the limits of power conversion efficiency, fielded energy output, service lifetime, and manufacturability of commercial and emerging PV technologies. PVRD is one of the first funding opportunities in SunShot that looks to a post-2020 goal, and it is anticipated that a second round of funding opportunities in this area wil lbe announced in October 2016.
Learn more about Prof. Grassman’s award: http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/project-profile-ohio-state-university-pvrd