Fabrication of Stable, Large-Area, Thin-Film CdTe Photovoltaic Modules, Annual Subcontract Report, 10 May 1991 - 9 May 1992

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7148066· OSTI ID:7148066

Nolan, J. F.; Meyers, P. V.

Solar Cells, Inc (SCI) has a program to produce 60 cm X 120 cm solar modules based on CdTe films. The method of choice for semiconductor deposition is condensation from high temperature vapor's. Early work focussed on Close Spaced Sublimation and Chemical Vapor Deposition using elemental sources, but later equipment designs no longer strictly conform to either category. Small area efficiency has been confirmed by NREL at 9.3% on a 0.22 cm{sup 2} device (825 mV Voc, 18.2 mA/cm{sup 2} Jsc, and 0.62 FF) deposited on a 100 cm{sup 2} substrate. On 8 cell, 64 cm{sup 2} submodules, the best result to date is 7.3% (5.9 V Voc, 130 mA Isc, and 0.61 FF). CdS, CdTe, and ZnTe films have been deposited onto 60 cm X 120 cm substrates - single cells produced from this material have exceeded 8% efficiency, 64 cm{sup 2} submodules have exceeded 5%. Module efficiency is limited by mechanical defects - mostly shunts - associated with processing after deposition of the semiconductor layer's. Present best result is 1.4% total area efficiency. In anticipation of more advanced designs, CdTe films have also been deposited from apparatus employing elemental sources. This project is in an early stage and has produced only rudimentary results. A pro-active Safety, Health, Environmental and Disposal program has been developed. Results to date indicate that both employees and the environment have been protected against overexposure to hazards including toxic chemicals.

• 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: 7148066
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP-413-5011; ON: DE92016445
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CADMIUM SULFIDES
DEPOSITION
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
FABRICATION
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
ZINC TELLURIDES
PROGRESS REPORT
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EQUIPMENT
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TELLURIDES
TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
photovoltaics
solar cells
thin films
large area
modules
cadmium telluride
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture