Research on Stable, High-Efficiency, Large-Area Amorphous Silicon Based Modules - Task B, Final Subcontract Report, 1 March 1989 - 28 February 1990

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6301183· OSTI ID:6301183

Mitchell, K. W.; Willet, D. R.

This report documents progress in developing a stable, high- efficiency, four-terminal hybrid tandem module. The module consists of a semi-transparent, thin-film silicon:hydrogen alloy (TFS) top circuit and a copper indium diselenide (CuInSe{sub 2}) bottom circuit. Film deposition and patterning processes were successfully extended to 0.4-m{sup 2} substrates. A 33.2-W (8.4% efficient) module with a 3970-cm{sup 2} aperture area and a white back reflector was demonstrated; without the back reflector, the module produced 30.2 W (7.6% efficient). Placing a laminated, 31.6-W, 8.1%-efficient CuInSe{sub 2} module underneath this TFS module, with an air gap between the two, produces 11.2 W (2.9% efficient) over a 3883-cm{sup 2} aperture area. Therefore, the four-terminal tandem power output is 41.4 W, translating to a 10.5% aperture-area efficiency. Subsequently, a 37.8-W (9.7% aperture-area efficiency) CuInSe{sub 2} module was demonstrated with a 3905-cm{sup 2} aperture area. Future performances of single-junction and tandem modules of this size were modeled, and predicted power outputs exceed 50 W (13% efficient) for CuInSe{sub 2} and 65 W (17% efficient) for TFS/CuInSe{sub 2} tandem modules.

• 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: 6301183
• Report Number(s): SERI/TP-211-3967; ON: DE91002115
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
CADMIUM SULFIDES
DATA
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
FILMS
GLASS
HYDROGEN
MOLYBDENUM
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYMERS
POWER RANGE 10-100 W
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SILICON
ZINC OXIDES
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
METALS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
POWER RANGE
SEMIMETALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATT POWER RANGE
ZINC COMPOUNDS
photovoltaics
solar cells
amorphous silicon
modules
high efficiency
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion