Study of Back Contact Formation on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells

Study of Back Contact Formation on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Jian Tang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Polycrystalline semiconductors
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Study of Back Contact Formation on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells

Study of Back Contact Formation on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Jian Tang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Polycrystalline semiconductors
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description


CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells Fabricated on Flexible Substrates

CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells Fabricated on Flexible Substrates PDF Author: Vasilios Palekis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) is a leading thin film photovoltaic (PV) material due to its near ideal bandgap of 1.45 eV and its high optical absorption coefficient. The typical CdTe thin film solar cell is of the superstrate configuration where a window layer (CdS), the absorber (CdTe) and a back contact are deposited onto glass coated with a transparent electrode. Substrate CdTe solar cells where the above listed films are deposited in reverse are not common. In this study substrate CdTe solar cells are fabricated on flexible foils. The properties of the Molybdenum back contact, Zinc Telluride (ZnTe) interlayer and CdTe absorber on the flexible foils were studied and characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Substrate curvature and film flaking was observed during the fabrication as a result of differences in thermal expansion coefficients between the substrate and the deposited films, and also due to impurity diffusion from the foil into the film stack. In order to overcome this problem diffusion barriers where used to eliminate contamination. Silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4) and molybdenum nitride (MoxNy) were used as such barriers. Electrical characterization of completed devices was carried out by Current-Voltage (J-V), Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) and Spectral Response (SR) measurements. Roll-over was observed in the first quadrant of J-V curves indicating the existence of a back barrier due to a Schottky back contact. The formation of non-rectifying contact to p-CdTe thin-film is one of the major and critical challenges associated with the fabrication of efficient and stable solar cells. Several materials (ZnTe, Cu, Cu2Te, and Te) were studied as potential candidates for the formation of an effective back contact.

Solar Cells and Modules

Solar Cells and Modules PDF Author: Arvind Shah
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030464873
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 357

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Book Description
This book gives a comprehensive introduction to the field of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and modules. In thirteen chapters, it addresses a wide range of topics including the spectrum of light received by PV devices, the basic functioning of a solar cell, and the physical factors limiting the efficiency of solar cells. It places particular emphasis on crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, which constitute today more than 90 % of all modules sold worldwide. Describing in great detail both the manufacturing process and resulting module performance, the book also touches on the newest developments in this sector, such as Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCON) and heterojunction modules, while dedicating a major chapter to general questions of module design and fabrication. Overall, it presents the essential theoretical and practical concepts of PV solar cells and modules in an easy-to-understand manner and discusses current challenges facing the global research and development community.

CdTe and Related Compounds; Physics, Defects, Hetero- and Nano-structures, Crystal Growth, Surfaces and Applications

CdTe and Related Compounds; Physics, Defects, Hetero- and Nano-structures, Crystal Growth, Surfaces and Applications PDF Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080965148
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Almost thirty years after the remarkable monograph of K. Zanio and the numerous conferences and articles dedicated since that time to CdTe and CdZnTe, after all the significant progresses in that field and the increasing interest in these materials for several extremely attractive industrial applications, such as nuclear detectors and solar cells, the edition of a new enriched and updated monograph dedicated to these two very topical II-VI semiconductor compounds, covering all their most prominent, modern and fundamental aspects, seemed very relevant and useful. - Detailed coverage of the main topics associated with the very topical II-VI semiconductor compound CdTe and its alloy CZT - Review of the CdTe recent developments - Fundamental background of many topics clearly introduced and exposed

Impurity and Back Contact Effects on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells

Impurity and Back Contact Effects on CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Hehong Zhao
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
ABSTRACT: CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells are the most promising cost-effective solar cells. The goal of this project is to improve the performance for CdS/CdTe devices by improving the open circuit voltage V[subscript]oc and current density J[subscript]sc. Efforts focused on increasing the V[subscript]oc, which include increasing the doping concentration by introducing Phosphorus and Antimony, finding and testing new back contact materials, and varying the ambient of CSS CdTe. In addition, the effect of Zn2SnO4 on the cells' performance was also studied. Electrical characterization of the thin films and completed devices were carried out by Current-Voltage (J-V), Capacitance-Voltage (C-V), and Spectral Response (SR) measurements. Structural/chemical characterization was done by SEM, XRD and EDS analysis. The ambient of CSS CdTe affects the growth rate, the grain size and electronic properties of CdTe. The N2/O2 mixture with varied ratio (N2/O2=9/1, 7/3, 5/5 and 1/9) was used in this study. The cells' performance and the net carrier concentration were studied as a function of the N2/O2 ratio. The net carrier concentration increases with the increasing O2 concentration. The extrinsic impurities (P and Sb) were incorporated into CdTe layer. Phosphorus was directly introduced into CSS CdTe source. The Sb was incorporated into CdTe by a diffusion process. The effects of the annealing parameters, the excess Sb on CdTe surface, the CdCl2 treatment and the depth of Sb in CdTe were studied. Higher doping concentration up to 1016 cm−3 has been achieved, however, V[subscript]oc is still in the range of 830 mV.

Coatings and Thin-Film Technologies

Coatings and Thin-Film Technologies PDF Author: Jaime Andres Perez Taborda
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1789848709
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
The field of coatings and thin-film technologies is rapidly advancing to keep up with new uses for semiconductor, optical, tribological, thermoelectric, solar, security, and smart sensing applications, among others. In this sense, thin-film coatings and structures are increasingly sophisticated with more specific properties, new geometries, large areas, the use of heterogeneous materials and flexible and rigid coating substrates to produce thin-film structures with improved performance and properties in response to new challenges that the industry presents. This book aims to provide the reader with a complete overview of the current state of applications and developments in thin-film technology, discussing applications, health and safety in thin films, and presenting reviews and experimental results of recognized experts in the area of coatings and thin-film technologies.

Fundamentals Of Solar Cells

Fundamentals Of Solar Cells PDF Author: Alan Fahrenbruch
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323145388
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 580

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Book Description
Fundamentals of Solar Cells: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion provides an introduction to the fundamental physical principles of solar cells. It aims to promote the expansion of solar photovoltaics from relatively small and specialized use to a large-scale contribution to energy supply. The book begins with a review of basic concepts such as the source of energy, the role of photovoltaic conversion, the development of photovoltaic cells, and sequence of phenomena involved in solar power generation. This is followed by separate chapters on each of the processes that take place in solar cell. These include solar input; properties of semiconductors; recombination and the flow of photogenerated carriers; charge separation and the characteristics of junction barriers; and calculation of solar efficiency. Subsequent chapters deal with the operation of specific solar cell devices such as a single-crystal homojunction (Si); a single-crystal-heterojunction/buried-homojunction (AlGaAs/GaAs); and a polycrystalline, thin-film cell (CuxS/CdS). This book is intended for upper-level graduate students who have a reasonably good understanding of solid state physics and for scientists and engineers involved in research and development of solar cells.

Stability Studies of CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells

Stability Studies of CdTe/CdS Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Bhaskar Reddy Tetali
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Diffusion of Cui+ ions from the back contact along CdTe grain boundaries had been previously reported [16]. An increase in light/dark J-V crossover and bulk Rs with stress time and temperature was observed. A slow degradation component attributed to Cu-related substitutional defect [23] formation/diffusion to the junction and CdS is proposed. This should compensate the CdS over time and increase its photoconductivity/resistivity. An improvement in the current collection and FF within 100 hours of LS was observed. This is possibly due to the enhancement of Cui+ diffusion into the junction and CdS during LS as previously reported [16]. A reduction in light/dark J-V crossover was observed, possibly due to an increase in CdS doping and reduction in the CdS/SnO2 front contact barrier. However, a fast decrease in Voc and increase in recombination current was also observed in the first 1000 hours of LS.

Development of CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells on Flexible Foil Substrates

Development of CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells on Flexible Foil Substrates PDF Author: Deidra Ranel Hodges
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
ABSTRACT: Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a leading thin film photovoltaic (PV) material due to its near ideal band gap of 1.45 eV, its high optical absorption coefficient and availability of various device fabrication methods. Superstrate CdTe solar cells fabricated on glass have to-date exhibited efficiencies of 16.5%. Work on substrate devices has been limited due to difficulties associated with the formation of an ohmic back contact with CdTe. The most promising approach used to-date is based on the use of an interlayer between the CdTe and a metal electrode, an approach that is believed to yield a pseudo-ohmic contact. This research investigates the use of ZnTe and Sb2Te3 as the interlayer, in the development of efficient back contacts. Excellent adhesion and minimum stress are also required of a CdTe thin film solar cell device on a flexible stainless steel (SS) foil substrate. Foil substrate curvature, flaking, delamination and adhesion as a result of compressive strain due to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the flexible SS foil substrate and the solar cell films have been studied. A potential problem with the use of a SS foil as the substrate is the diffusion of iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and other elemental impurities into the layers of the solar cell device structure during high temperature processing. A diffusion barrier limiting the out diffusion of these substrate elements is being investigated in this study. Silicon nitride (Si3N4) films deposited on SS foils are being investigated as the barrier layer, to reduce or inhibit the diffusion of substrate impurities into the solar cell. Thin film CdTe solar cells have been fabricated and characterized by AFM, XRD, SEM, ASTM D3359-08 tape test, current-voltage (I-V) and spectral measurements. My individual contributions to this work include the Molybdenum (Mo) development, the adhesion studies, the silicon nitride (Si3N4) barrier studies, and EDS and SEM lines measurements and analysis of substrate out-diffused impurities. The rest of my colleagues focused on the development of CdTe, CdS, ZnTe, the CdCl2 heat treatment, and other back contact interlayer materials.

Analysis of Cu Difusion in ZnTe-Based Contacts for Thin-Film CdS/CdTe Solar Cells

Analysis of Cu Difusion in ZnTe-Based Contacts for Thin-Film CdS/CdTe Solar Cells PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Ohmic contacts to thin-film CdS/CdTe photovoltaic devices have been formed using a two-layer contact interface of undoped ZnTe (ZnTe) and Cu-doped ZnTe (ZnTe:Cu), followed by Ni or Ti as an outer metallization. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) is used to study Cu diffusion within this back-contact structure, and also, to monitor Cu diffusion from the contact into the CdTe. When Nimetallization is used, the ZnTe:Cu layer becomes increasingly depleted of Cu, and Ni diffusion into the ZnTe:Cu increases as the contact deposition temperature increases from 100 deg. C to 300 deg. C. Cu depletion is not observed when Ni is replaced with Ti. Diffusion of Cu from the ZnTe:Cu layer into the ZnTe layer also increases with contact deposition temperature, and produces a buildup of Cuat the ZnTe/CdTe interface. High-mass resolution SIMS indicates that, although Cu levels in the CdTe remain low, Cu diffusion from the contact proceeds into the CdTe layer and toward the CdTe/CdS junction region.