Emerging materials for solar cell applications: electrodeposited CdTe. Second quarter report, May 16-August 15, 1980

Technical Report · Wed Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6810007· OSTI ID:6810007

Basol, B.; Stafsudd, O.

Work was centered about improving electroplating processes and cell fabrication techniques, with emphasis being given to three differing n-CdTe/Au Schottky configurations. The highest values of efficiency-related parmeters achieved with a simulated solar irradiation of 100 mW/cm/sup 2/ were 0.57V for open circuit voltage, 0.6 for fill factor, and 6 mA/cm/sup 2/ for short circuit current. Four important parameters are known to control the quality of the Monosolar electrodeposition process and resultant solar cells. They are electrolyte temperature, Te concentration in the solution at a specific pH, deposition or quasi-rest potential, and flow pattern of the electrolyte (stirring). The first three considerations are believed to be fully understood and optimized. Work is underway to further understand the effects of stirring on the diffusion of ionic components and the effects on CdTe film performance. Work was accelerated during the quarter to increase the short circuit current. Parallel programs using laser irradiation of finished CdTe films, heat treatment, and changes in the electrodeposition process itself to recrystallize films were started. The surface etching technique has been highly refined, while the entire cell manufacturing process is now reproducible when defect-free substrates are used.

• Research Organization: Monosolar, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 6810007
• Report Number(s): SERI/PR-9152-1-T1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
FABRICATION
PERFORMANCE
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
ELECTROPLATING
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROLYTES
ETCHING
GOLD
HEAT TREATMENTS
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SCHOTTKY BARRIER DIODES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
LYSIS
METALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA HEATING
PLATING
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE FINISHING
TELLURIDES
TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture