Optical properties of chemically sprayed CdS/Cu/sub x/S photovoltaic cells

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7294642

Berg, R S; Myers, T M

Cadmium sulfide/copper sulfide photovoltaic devices have shown a great deal of promise for inexpensive power generation. One of the most interesting fabrication techniques proposed for these devices is a chemical spray technique that can be integrated into a float glass substrate plant. The backwall cell being produced by this technique (under development by the D. H. Baldwin Company) requires the incident light to pass through the substrate, back contact, and CdS ''window'' before illuminating the junction. The cell properties are strongly affected by the optical properties of the constituent films and substrate. Absorption and reflection losses are up to 25% of the photons that can produce collectable electrical carriers. Reflection losses are an inherent property of the films, and are not recoverable. However, the absorption losses caused by impurities and structures are controllable. Additional photons are lost by transmission through the Cu/sub x/S due to its thinness. The limitations these properties impose on the device are discussed. Modifications and potential improvements are discussed. Limitations on the performance of the CdS/Cu/sub x/S cell do not appear to be caused by the chemical spray process used.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 7294642
• Report Number(s): SAND-76-0729
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ABSORPTIVITY
CADMIUM SULFIDE SOLAR CELLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
GLASS
JUNCTIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFLECTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SPRAY COATING
SUBSTRATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TIN COMPOUNDS
TIN OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS