Research on Stable, High-Efficiency, Large-Area Amorphous Silicon Based Modules - Task B, Final Subcontract Report, 1 March 1989 - 28 February 1990

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6301183· OSTI ID:6301183

Mitchell, K. W.; Willet, D. R.

This report documents progress in developing a stable, high- efficiency, four-terminal hybrid tandem module. The module consists of a semi-transparent, thin-film silicon:hydrogen alloy (TFS) top circuit and a copper indium diselenide (CuInSe{sub 2}) bottom circuit. Film deposition and patterning processes were successfully extended to 0.4-m{sup 2} substrates. A 33.2-W (8.4% efficient) module with a 3970-cm{sup 2} aperture area and a white back reflector was demonstrated; without the back reflector, the module produced 30.2 W (7.6% efficient). Placing a laminated, 31.6-W, 8.1%-efficient CuInSe{sub 2} module underneath this TFS module, with an air gap between the two, produces 11.2 W (2.9% efficient) over a 3883-cm{sup 2} aperture area. Therefore, the four-terminal tandem power output is 41.4 W, translating to a 10.5% aperture-area efficiency. Subsequently, a 37.8-W (9.7% aperture-area efficiency) CuInSe{sub 2} module was demonstrated with a 3905-cm{sup 2} aperture area. Future performances of single-junction and tandem modules of this size were modeled, and predicted power outputs exceed 50 W (13% efficient) for CuInSe{sub 2} and 65 W (17% efficient) for TFS/CuInSe{sub 2} tandem modules.

• 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: 6301183
• Report Number(s): SERI/TP-211-3967; ON: DE91002115
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM SULFIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
GLASS
HYDROGEN
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
INFORMATION
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYMERS
POWER RANGE
POWER RANGE 10-100 W
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATT POWER RANGE
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES
amorphous silicon
high efficiency
modules
photovoltaics
solar cells