A New Low-Temperature Approach for Efficient and Low-Cost Group V Doping in CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells (Final Technical Report)

Technical Report · Wed Dec 14 04:00:00 EST 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1905478· OSTI ID:1905478

Yan, Feng ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (United States); The University of Alabama

The goal of this project is to develop a highly efficient low-temperature ex-situ Group V diffusion doping approach in the CdCl₂ treated polycrystalline CdTe film using the group V chlorides (i.e., PCl₃, AsCl₃, SbCl₃, and BiCl₃) as dopants source. For the first time, our innovative doping strategies through the low-temperature ex-situ Group V doping process in polycrystalline CdSeTe successfully demonstrated a promising power conversion efficiency of ~19% compared to the Cu-doped counterparts. Our newly developed low-temperature ex-situ group V doping allows dedicated control of group V diffusion amount, generates a desirable depth profile, and is completely compatible with commercial CdTe module manufacturing. We built the partnership with the largest CdTe solar module manufacturing in the US, e.g., First Solar, Inc to further develop these low-temperature diffusion doped CdSeTe solar cells. Our technology was granted US Patent No. US11257977B2. In this project, we systematically investigate and characterize the new ex-situ group V doping mechanisms, defect chemistry, microstructure, and device physics in CdTe solar cells by combining experimental and theoretical means to pave the way to achieve lower cost toward $$\$$$$0.02/kWh and higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) toward 25% in polycrystalline CdTe solar technology. This project will benefit the public by providing more affordable solar electricity and provide an effective way to address climate change.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: EE0009368
• OSTI ID: 1905478
• Report Number(s): DOE-UniversityofAlabama-9368
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY