Research on Stable High Efficiency Amorphous Silicon Multijunction Modules, Semiannual Technical Progress Report, 1 May 1991 - 31 October 1991
Improvements towards a goal of a 12.5% initial triple-junction module efficiency require the use of a wide gap top-layer for improved open circuit voltage, higher transmission from the transparent front contact and more highly transmitting doped layers. To address the first issue, there has been continued development of a-SiC:H with the utilization of several novel feedstocks to control the atomic structure of the solid. These films have transport properties superior to the best results reported for a-SiC:H. Preliminary results with devices exhibits a stability comparable to a-Si:H, while previous results with a-SiC:H have generally shown for higher rates of degradation. Module fabrication has been refined to the extent that comparable module and small area device efficiencies are readily obtained. Despite the high initial efficiencies (9%--10%) obtained in 935 cm{sup 2} modules employing devices with 4000{Angstrom} thick middle junctions, higher than expected rates of degradation were found. The cause of the anomalous degradation was traced to shunts present in the device arising from defects in the tin oxide coating. NREL degradation results of triple-junction modules showed stabilized performance of the initial efficiency for modules prepared during the period in which shunts were a problem. 20 refs.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 5860700
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-451-4720; ON: DE92001213
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Research on stable, high-efficiency, amorphous silicon multijunction modules. Annual subcontract report, 1 May 1991--30 April 1992
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Related Subjects
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
AMORPHOUS STATE
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
DECOMPOSITION
FABRICATION
PROGRESS REPORT
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SILICON
SILICON ALLOYS
TIN OXIDES
ZINC OXIDES
ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SEMIMETALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
TESTING
TIN COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
photovoltaics
solar cells
amorphous silicon
modules
high efficiency
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture