Copper iodide nanoparticles as a hole transport layer to CdTe photovoltaics: 5.5 % efficient back-illuminated bifacial CdTe solar cells

Pokhrel, Dipendra; Bastola, Ebin; Khanal Subedi, Kamala; Rijal, Suman; Jamarkattel, Manoj K.; Awni, Rasha A.; Phillips, Adam B.; Yan, Yanfa; Heben, Michael J.; Ellingson, Randy J.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2021.111451

Title: Copper iodide nanoparticles as a hole transport layer to CdTe photovoltaics: 5.5 % efficient back-illuminated bifacial CdTe solar cells

Journal Article · Wed Nov 03 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2021.111451· OSTI ID:1977660

^[1]; Bastola, Ebin ^[1]; Khanal Subedi, Kamala ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]; Awni, Rasha A. ^[1]; Phillips, Adam B. ^[1]; Yan, Yanfa ^[1]; Heben, Michael J. ^[1];

^[1]

Univ. of Toledo, OH (United States). Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization

We report the role of copper iodide (CuI) nanoparticles (NPs) as a hole transport layer (HTL) in cadmium sulfide/cadmium telluride (CdS/CdTe) photovoltaics. These CuI NPs were prepared using solution processing at room temperature and used to fabricate monofacial and bifacial CdTe solar cells with different back contacts. Using CuI/Au as the back contact, the device efficiency reached to 14.8% with outstanding fill factor (FF) of 79.2%. Replacing the gold (Au) electrode with sputtered transparent indium tin oxide (ITO), a CuI/ITO back contact yielded photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.6% and 5.5% under front and back illumination respectively. Bifacial devices (CdTe/ITO) without the CuI NP HTL have an efficiency of 7.0% and 1.0% for front and back illumination, respectively. For CuI/ITO, a current collection of 12.0 mAcm^-2 was observed upon back illumination which significantly improved over an ITO-only back contact (5.0 mAcm^-2). The PCE obtained from back illumination was enhanced when using CuI NPs as the HTL due to the reduced back barrier height, and improved back interface as determined by temperature dependent current vs. voltage characteristics and impedance spectroscopy analysis. The improvement in device performance of the bifacial configuration is a significant step forward toward realizing thin film photovoltaic modules which harvest energy incident on the rear of the module.

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Research Organization:: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office; US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008974; FA9453-18-2-0037; FA9453-19-C-1002

OSTI ID:: 1977660

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1868732

Journal Information:: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 235, Issue C; ISSN 0927-0248

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Copper iodide nanoparticles as a hole transport layer to CdTe photovoltaics: 5.5 % efficient back-illuminated bifacial CdTe solar cells

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