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Developed by the University of Toledo in Spain, the cell achieved the highest efficiency ever recorded for flexible cadmium telluride solar cells to date. The device achieved an open circuit voltage of 861 mV, a short circuit density of 27.8 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 71.7%.
Researchers at the University of Toledo (United States) have developed a flexible cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell based on an indium gallium oxide (IGO) emitting layer and a transparent cadmium stannate (CTO) conductor as an electrode. frontal.
“A sputtered cadmium selenide (CdSe) layer was used to incorporate Se into a CdTe absorber deposited by closed-space sublimation, and copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) was used as a hole transport layer between the CdTe and the posterior metal electrode,” Manoj Kumar Jamarkattel, corresponding author of the research, told pv magazine . “This device configuration holds great promise for building integrated photovoltaic systems, space applications, and higher-speed manufacturing.”
The scientists built the cell with a superstrate based on Corning Willow Glass, which is a flexible, ultra-thin glass manufactured by the multinational technology company Corning with its own patented melt-stretching process. They produced the CTO transparent conductor by sputtering coupled with proximity annealing with CdS. The front damping layer was formed by an IGO alloy, prepared by co-sputtering.
Furthermore, they prepared the cell absorber by first depositing CdSe by sputtering followed by CdTe deposited by closed-space sublimation. CuSCN was used as a Cu doping source and as an intermediate hole transport layer. The cell also features a gold (Au) metal contact and an anti-reflective (AR) coating.
Tested under standard lighting conditions, the cell achieved a power conversion efficiency of 17.2%, an open circuit voltage of 861 mV, a short circuit density of 27.8 mA/cm2 and a fill factor of 71.7 %. With zero air mass (AM0) illumination for space applications, these values ??dropped to 14.6%, 861 mV, 32.3 mA/cm2 and 71.2%, respectively.
“We used IGO and CuSCN as the front emitter and back contact buffer, respectively,” the scientists explained. “This helped to further improve the open circuit voltage. “The IGO has a favorable band alignment with the absorber, which minimizes carrier recombination at the front, and the CuSCN helps minimize recombination at the rear interface.”
The research group added that the cell has achieved the highest efficiency recorded to date in flexible CdTe solar cells.
The device was presented in the article “ 17.2% Efficient CdSexTe1-x solar cell with (InxGa1-x)2O3 emitter on lightweight and flexible glass ” light and flexible glass), published in Applied Physics Letter s.
The University of Toledo has developed several types of CdTe solar cells in recent years. The devices include, among others, a 20% efficient cell based on a commercial tin(IV) oxide (SnO2) buffer layer and a 17.4% efficient device using a copper oxide layer. -aluminum on the back side of the CdTe thin film. |
