Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Research on high-efficiency, multiple-gap, multijunction, amorphous-silicon-based alloy thin-film solar cells

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5563779· OSTI ID:5563779
 [1]
  1. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., Troy, MI (USA)
This report presents results of research on advancing our understanding of amorphous-silicon-based alloys and their use in small-area multijunction solar cells. The principal objectives of the program are to develop a broad scientific base for the chemical, structural, optical, and electronic properties of amorphous-silicon-based alloys; to determine the optimum properties of these alloy materials as they relate to high-efficiency cells; to determine the optimum device configuration for multijunction cells; and to demonstrate proof-of-concept, multijunction, a-Si-alloy-based solar cells with 18% efficiency under standard AM1.5 global insolation conditions and with an area of at least 1 cm{sup 2}. A major focus of the work done during this reporting period was the optimization of a novel, multiple-graded structure that enhances cell efficiency through band-gap profiling. The principles of the operation of devices incorporating such a structure, computer simulations of those, and experimental results for both single- and multijunction cells prepared by using the novel structure are discussed in detail. 14 refs., 35 figs., 7 tabs.
Research Organization:
Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA); Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., Troy, MI (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10093
OSTI ID:
5563779
Report Number(s):
SERI/STR-211-3526; ON: DE89009444
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English