Research on Stable, High-Efficiency, Large-Area, Amorphous-Silicon-Based Submodules
The primary objective of this subcontract is to develop the technology for same bandgap, amorphous silicon tandem junction photovoltaic modules having an area of at least 900 cm{sup 2} with the goal of achieving an aperture area efficiency of 9%. A further objective is to demonstrate modules that retain 95% of their under standard light soaking conditions. Our approach to the attainment of these objective is based on the following distinctive technologies: (a) in-house deposition of SiO{sub 2}/SnO{sub 2}:F onto soda lime glass by APCVD to provide a textured, transparent electrode, (b) single chamber r.f. flow discharge deposition of the a-Si:H layers onto vertical substrates contained with high package density in a box carrier'' to which the discharge is confined (c) sputter deposition of highly reflecting, ZnO-based back contacts, and (d) laser scribing of the a-Si:H and electrodes with real-time scribe tracking to minimize area loss. Continued development of single junction amorphous silicon was aggressively pursued as proving ground for various optical enhancement schemes, new p-layers, and i-layers quality. We have rigorously demonstrated that the introduction of a transitional i-layer does not impair stability and that the initial gain in performance is retained. We have demonstrated a small improvement in cell stability through a post-fabrication treatment consisting of multiple, intense light flashes followed by sufficient annealing. Finally, several experiments have indicated that long term stability can be improved by overcoating the SnO{sub 2} with ZnO. 25 refs., 17 figs.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 5652878
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TP-214-4226; ON: DE91002167
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Research on stable, high-efficiency, large-area, amorphous-silicon-based submodules, Task B: Semiannual subcontract report, 16 March 1988--15 September 1988
Large-Area Triple-Junction a-Si Alloy Production Scaleup: Annual Subcontract Report, 17 March 1993 - 18 March 1994
Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
360601 -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
ALUMINIUM
AMORPHOUS STATE
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
CONVERSION
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
GLASS
GLOW DISCHARGES
METALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROGRESS REPORT
REFLECTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SILVER
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THIN FILMS
TIN COMPOUNDS
TIN OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES
amorphous state
photovoltaics
silicon
solar cells