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CNBM New Energy Materials Research Center

Focusing on improving the applications of CdTe semiconductor materials for use in thin-film solar modules.

Mission

CNBM New Energy Materials Research Center, a public US corporation and sole owner of the world’s only independently formed tellurium mine in China, recently awarded NJIT a three-year, $1.5 million grant to establish a CdTe solar energy research center. 

CNBM New Energy Materials Research Center and First Solar (FSLR)

Solar panels using thin-film technology have already proven to greatly reduce the cost per watt comparing to crystalline based first generation Si modules.  First Solar, the world’s largest solar energy manufacturer in market capitalization and volume production, has achieved the 0.72 m2 panel production cost of $0.82/W with conversion efficiency of 11.2%.  It is building large scale solar farms in Arizona without government subsidy.  First Solar is by far the largest customer of CNBM New Energy Materials Research Center.

Center Resources

Current R&D Projects

Patents

  • US Patent 8,883,549
  • P-Doping of CDTE Polycrystalline Thin Film Based on CD Vacancy Theory KK Chin-2018 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award issued by Research & Development Council of New Jersey
  • System and method for thin film photovoltaic modules and back contact for thin solar cells Z Cheng, KK Chin, AE Delahoy - US Patent 10,090,431, 2018

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