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Sputter-Deposited Oxides for Interface Passivation of CdTe Photovoltaics

Journal Article · · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
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Commercial CdTe PV modules have polycrystalline thin films deposited on glass, and devices made in this format have exceeded 22% efficiency. Devices made by the authors with a magnesium zinc oxide window layer and tellurium back contact have achieved efficiency over 18%, but these cells still suffer from an open-circuit voltage far below ideal values. Oxide passivation layers made by sputter deposition have the potential to increase voltage by reducing interface recombination. CdTe devices with these passivation layers were studied with photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) to detect an increase in minority carrier lifetime. Because these oxide materials exhibit barriers to carrier collection, micropatterning was used to expose small point contacts while still allowing interface passivation. TRPL decay lifetimes have been greatly enhanced for thin polycrystalline absorber films with interface passivation. Device performance was measured and current collection was mapped spatially by light-beam-induced current.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1422874
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA--5900-70431
Journal Information:
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Journal Name: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 8; ISSN 2156-3381
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Cited By (8)

Radiative Efficiency and Charge‐Carrier Lifetimes and Diffusion Length in Polycrystalline CdSeTe Heterostructures journal December 2019
Radiative Efficiency and Charge‐Carrier Lifetimes and Diffusion Length in Polycrystalline CdSeTe Heterostructures journal January 2020
Understanding the role of selenium in defect passivation for highly efficient selenium-alloyed cadmium telluride solar cells journal May 2019
Bulk and surface recombination properties in thin film semiconductors with different surface treatments from time-resolved photoluminescence measurements journal March 2019
Back-surface recombination, electron reflectors, and paths to 28% efficiency for thin-film photovoltaics: A CdTe case study journal February 2019
Enhancement of photovoltaic efficiency in CdSe x Te 1− x (where 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1): insights from density functional theory journal December 2019
Investigations of the structural, optical properties and electronic structure of CdTe 1− x Se x films fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering journal March 2019
Study on the Stability of Unpackaged CdS/CdTe Solar Cells with Different Structures journal December 2019

Figures / Tables (11)

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
II-VI semiconductor materials
aluminum oxide
cadmium compounds
passivation
photovoltaic systems
sputtering