Stable, high-efficiency, CuInSe/sub 2/-based, polycrystalline, thin-film tandem solar cells: Final subcontract report, 16 March 1984-15 March 1987
The long-term objective of this research was to obtain a stable, thin-film solar cell based on polycrystalline materials with an efficiency of 15%. The approach was to make a tandem cell based on CuInSe/sub 2//CdS as the bottom cell and CdTe/CdS as the top cell. An essential feature was to develop a CdTe cell with transport contacts. A suitable contacting system was developed using transparent conducting oxides (ITO and SnO/sub 2/) in conjunction with a thin layer of copper. Cells were made with efficiencies over 8.5%. A reproducible fabrication process for CuInSe/sub 2//(CdZn)S cells was developed based on CuInSe/sub 2/ films grown by vacuum evaporation using Knudsen-type effusion sources. These cells were made with efficiencies over 10%. The composition of the CuInSe/sub 2/ films can be varied over a considerable range and still yield high-efficiency cells. Adding Zn to the CdS did not increase the V/sub oc/ of the devices; analysis showed that the V/sub oc/ is not controlled by interface recombination. The effect of oxidizing and reducing heat treatments on CuInSe/sub 2/ cells is to change carrier concentration and thus V/sub oc/. Analysis suggests that J/sub o/ is controlled by band-to-band recombination. Monolithic tandem CuInSe/sub 2/ CdTe cells have been made with efficiencies of approx.3%, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach. 33 refs., 36 figs., 37 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Delaware Univ., Newark (USA). Inst. of Energy Conversion
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 5565191
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/STR-211-3249; ON: DE88001116
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Stable high-efficiency CuInSe/sub 2/-based polycrystalline thin-film tandem solar cells: Annual subcontract report, 16 March 1985-15 March 1986
Materials analysis and device optimization of CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cells: Annual subcontract report, 16 January 1987--15 January 1988
Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
HETEROJUNCTIONS
JUNCTIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
THIN FILMS