Author: Don Louis Morel Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
This project addresses most of the key CdTe technology areas, with focus on improving the manufacturability and long-term stability of this technology. The activities over this 3-year period include developing simplified processing, studying novel front and back contacts, and improving long-term stability. This report describes work carried out during the last year of the project. The solar cells discussed below are fabricated by various deposition technologies that include chemical vapor deposition, chemical-bath deposition, close-spaced sublimation, and rf-sputtering. The devices are routinely evaluated using standard solar cell analytical techniques such as dark and light current-voltage, spectral response, and capacitance-voltage measurements.
Author: Y. M. Li Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 104
Book Description
The key objective of this subcontract was to take the first steps to extend the radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) manufacturing technology of Energy Photovoltaics, Inc. (EPV), to the promising field of a-Si/nc-Si solar cell fabrication by demonstrating ''proof-of-concept'' devices of good efficiencies that previously were believed to be unobtainable in single-chamber reactors owing to contamination problems. A complementary goal was to find a new high-rate deposition method that can conceivably be deployed in large PECVD-type reactors. We emphasize that our goal was not to produce 'champion' devices of near-record efficiencies, but rather, to achieve modestly high efficiencies using a far simpler (cheaper) system, via practical processing methods and materials. To directly attack issues in solar-cell fabrication at EPV, the nc-Si thin films were studied almost exclusively in the p-i-n device configuration (as absorbers or i-layers), not as stand-alone films. Highly efficient, p-i-n type, nc-Si-based solar cells are generally grown on expensive, laboratory superstrates, such as custom ZnO/glass of high texture (granular surface) and low absorption. Also standard was the use of a highly effective back-reflector ZnO/Ag, where the ZnO can be surface-textured for efficient diffuse reflection. The high-efficiency ''champion'' devices made by the PECVD methods were invariably prepared in sophisticated (i.e., expensive), multi-chamber, or at least load-locked deposition systems. The electrode utilization efficiency, defined as the surface-area ratio of the powered electrode to that of the substrates, was typically low at about one (1:1). To evaluate the true potential of nc-Si absorbers for cost-competitive, commercially viable manufacturing of large-area PV modules, we took a more down-to-earth approach, based on our proven production of a-Si PV modules by a massively parallel batch process in single-chamber RF-PECVD systems, to the study of nc-Si solar cells, with the aim of producing high-efficiency a-Si/nc-Si solar cells and sub-modules.
Author: Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
This report describes our scientific understanding of the CIGS materials system, solar cells, and processes. Through DOE support, the investigators developed much of the technology and device fabrication infrastructure applied to electrodeposited (ED) materials. The electrodeposition process is simple and fast, and can synthesize multinary precursors for subsequent processing into CuInxGa1-xSe2(CIGS) thin-film absorbers for solar cells. The device fabricated by using electrodeposited CIGS precursor layers resulted in total-area conversion efficiencies up to 15.4%. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Additional In, Ga, and Se (up to 50%) are added to the precursor films by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to adjust the final semiconductor film composition to about Cu0.95In0.75Ga0.25Se2. The ED device parameters are compared with those of an 18.8% PVD device.
Author: Don Louis Morel
Author: A. D. Compaan
Author: Y. M. Li
Author: