Development of a thin film polycrystalline solar cell for large scale terrestrial use. Final report, July 1, 1976--June 30, 1977
A complete quantitative analysis of all the factors influencing cell efficiency has been conducted using as input direct material, electronic and optical measurements. The output of the analysis has been used to direct a systematic cell improvement program which has resulted in the practical achievement of anticipated cell efficiencies. During the program year the maximum CdS/Cu/sub 2/S cell efficiency was increased from an initial value of 7.64% to 8.55%. Short circuit currents under AMI illumination exceeded 26 mA/cm/sup 2/. Excellent reproducibility has been maintained; the group of 47 cells containing the 8.55% cell showed only one failure and over half the cells had efficiencies that would exceed 7.5% in sunlight. Individual cell parameters show conclusively that the cell design that to date has given an efficiency of 8.55% is in fact capable of reaching 9.0%. The design changes necessary to produce cells above 10% have been identified. Applying the same analysis driven development to (CdZn)S/Cu/sub 2/S cells has resulted in efficiencies up to 6.29% largely as a result of increasing short circuit currents from the initial level of approximately 5 mA/cm/sup 2/ to >14 mA/cm/sup 2/ for open circuit voltages between 0.60 and 0.68 V. Further development of this cell is expected to yield ultimate cell efficiencies of close to 15%.
- Research Organization:
- Delaware Univ., Newark (USA). Inst. of Energy Conversion
- OSTI ID:
- 6836160
- Report Number(s):
- DSE-2538-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CADMIUM SULFIDE SOLAR CELLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FAILURES
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
JUNCTIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC SULFIDES
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CADMIUM SULFIDE SOLAR CELLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FAILURES
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
JUNCTIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC SULFIDES