Process Development and Basic Studies of Electrochemically Deposited CdTe-Based Solar Cells; Annual Technical Report, Phase I: May 15, 1998 - May 14, 1999
The project describes long-term research and development issues related to polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. The general research approach is based on combining activities aimed at improvement of cell performance and stability with activities aimed at increasing fundamental understanding of the properties of materials making up the cells: CdTe, CdS, multi-layer back contact, and transparent conducting oxide (TCO) front contact. The authors emphasize the relation between structural and electronic material properties and various processing procedures, as well as the microscopic mechanisms responsible for the cell performance and its degradation. Major results and conclusions of this project include: (1) Stress tests of the cells under various stress conditions revealed conditions providing the most severe degrading of different cell parameters; (2) Consecutive stress testing under different bias revealed some reversible effects; (3) Preliminary analysis of the data obtained demonstrated a significant role of electromigration of the charged defects/impurities; (4) Some new approaches for the cell characterization and the data analysis were developed and checked experimentally; (5) New stress test experiments were planned for continued studies of degradation mechanisms.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 763460
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR-520-28762; TRN: AH200033%%177
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 25 Aug 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Process Development and Basic Studies of Electrochemically Deposited CdTe-Based Solar Cells: Final Technical Report, 15 May 1998 - 17 August 2001
Device physics of thin-film polycrystalline cells and modules: Phase 1 annual report: February 1998--January 1999
Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
PERFORMANCE
STABILITY
MATERIALS TESTING
FABRICATION
MECHANICAL TESTS
PHOTOVOLTAICS
CDTE-BASED SOLAR CELLS
ELECTROCHEMICALLY DEPOSITED
APCVD SNO2:F THIN FILMS
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CDTE AND CDS THIN FILMS
CELL DEGRADATION
THIN FILM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM