Optimization of Graded CIGS Solar Cells Using TCAD Simulations

2012 ◽  
Vol 1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mankoo Lee ◽  
Dipankar Pramanik ◽  
Haifan Liang ◽  
Ed Korczynski ◽  
Jeroen van Duren
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Back Side ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Copper Indium ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells ◽  
Interface Layers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Typical Range

ABSTRACTTo understand paths towards higher efficiency (η) for copper-indium-gallium-(sulfur)-selenide [CIG(S)Se] solar cells, we investigated a variety of absorber composition grading schemes for various back-side gallium (Ga), front-side sulfur (S), and double-graded Ga composition depth profiles in TCAD 1D/2D simulations. We fitted experimental results of a Back-Side Graded (BSG) solar cell with our TCAD models, prior to investigating other grading and interface schemes. The BSG solar cell was fabricated on a High Productivity Combinatorial (HPC™) platform based on sputtering Cu(In,Ga) followed by selenization. Our TCAD simulation methodology for optimizing CIG(S)Se solar cells started with a sensitivity analysis using 1D Solar-cell CAPacitance Simulator (SCAPS) [1] by selecting a typical range of key model parameters and analyzing the impact on η. We then used a 2D commercially-available Sentaurus simulation tool [2] to incorporate wavelength-dependent optical characteristics. As a result, we provide insight in the impact of grading schemes on efficiency for a fixed ‘material quality’ equal to an in-house BSG solar cell. We also quantify the effects of interface layers like MoSe2 at the Mo/CIG(S)Se interface, and an inverted surface layer at the CIG(S)Se/CdS interface.

scholarly journals Degradation Mechanism Due to Water Ingress Effect on the Top Contact of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4545
Author(s):  
Deewakar Poudel ◽  
Shankar Karki ◽  
Benjamin Belfore ◽  
Grace Rajan ◽  
Sushma Swaraj Atluri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Transparent Conductive Oxide ◽  
Window Layer ◽  
Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide ◽  
Copper Indium ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Secondary Ion

The impact of moisture ingress on the surface of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells was studied. While industry-scale modules are encapsulated in specialized polymers and glass, over time, the glass can break and the encapsulant can degrade. During such conditions, water can potentially degrade the interior layers and decrease performance. The first layer the water will come in contact with is the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer. To simulate the impact of this moisture ingress, complete devices were immersed in deionized water. To identify the potential sources of degradation, a common window layer for CIGS devices—a bilayer of intrinsic zinc oxide (i-ZnO) and conductive indium tin oxide (ITO)—was deposited. The thin films were then analyzed both pre and post water soaking. To determine the extent of ingress, dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) was performed on completed devices to analyze impurity diffusion (predominantly sodium and potassium) in the devices. The results were compared to device measurements, and indicated a degradation of device efficiency (mostly fill factor, contrary to previous studies), potentially due to a modification of the alkali profile.

scholarly journals A Modeling Study on Utilizing In2S3 as the Buffer Layer of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Based Solar Cell

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
neda beyrami ◽  
M. Saadat ◽  
zihab sohbatzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Cadmium Sulfide ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Buffer Layer ◽  
Interfacial Layer ◽  
Optimal Performance ◽  
Indium Sulfide ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In Cu(In1 − x,Gax)Se (CIGS)-based solar cells, the cadmium sulfide (CdS) layer is conventionally used as a buffer layer. In the current study, the CdS layer was replaced by the Indium sulfide (In2S3) layer, and the impact of various concentrations of Ga in the CIGS absorber, the band gap of the In2S3 buffer layer, and the band gap of the NayCu1−yIn5S8 interfacial layer on the efficiency of these CIGS solar cells were investigated. The results indicated that in the absence of NayCu1−yIn5S8, the optimal performance was obtained with an Eg−In2S3 value of 3.1 eV and the ratio of Ga/(Ga + In) (GGI) = 1, yielding an efficiency of 21.97%. The formation of the NayCu1−yIn5S8 interfacial layer deteriorated the efficiency of the device, and the highest efficiency of the CIGS solar cells with the interfacial layer was 16.33 %.

scholarly journals Numerical Design of Ultrathin Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon-Based Solar Cell

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
F. X. Abomo Abega ◽  
A. Teyou Ngoupo ◽  
J. M. B. Ndjaka
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Buffer Layer ◽  
Defect Density ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Silicon Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

Numerical modelling is used to confirm experimental and theoretical work. The aim of this work is to present how to simulate ultrathin hydrogenated amorphous silicon- (a-Si:H-) based solar cells with a ITO BRL in their architectures. The results obtained in this study come from SCAPS-1D software. In the first step, the comparison between the J-V characteristics of simulation and experiment of the ultrathin a-Si:H-based solar cell is in agreement. Secondly, to explore the impact of certain properties of the solar cell, investigations focus on the study of the influence of the intrinsic layer and the buffer layer/absorber interface on the electrical parameters ( J SC , V OC , FF, and η ). The increase of the intrinsic layer thickness improves performance, while the bulk defect density of the intrinsic layer and the surface defect density of the buffer layer/ i -(a-Si:H) interface, respectively, in the ranges [109 cm-3, 1015 cm-3] and [1010 cm-2, 5 × 10 13  cm-2], do not affect the performance of the ultrathin a-Si:H-based solar cell. Analysis also shows that with approximately 1 μm thickness of the intrinsic layer, the optimum conversion efficiency is 12.71% ( J SC = 18.95   mA · c m − 2 , V OC = 0.973   V , and FF = 68.95 % ). This work presents a contribution to improving the performance of a-Si-based solar cells.

scholarly journals Characteristics of an oxide/metal/oxide transparent conducting electrode fabricated with an intermediate Cu–Mo metal composite layer for application in efficient CIGS solar cell

RSC Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (76) ◽  
pp. 48113-48119 ◽  
Author(s):  
San Kang ◽  
R. Nandi ◽  
Jae-Kwan Sim ◽  
Jun-Yong Jo ◽  
Uddipta Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Composite Layer ◽  
Metal Composite ◽  
Cigs Solar Cell ◽  
Transparent Conducting ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells ◽  
Transparent Conducting Electrodes

CIGS solar cells fabricated with different types of AZO/metal/AZO (AZO/Cu/AZO, AZO/Mo/AZO and AZO/Cu–Mo/AZO) transparent conducting electrodes.

Application of a Sn4+ doped In2S3 thin film in a CIGS solar cell as a buffer layer

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 362-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeongYeon Kim ◽  
Md. Salahuddin Mina ◽  
Kiwhan Kim ◽  
Jihye Gwak ◽  
JunHo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Buffer Layer ◽  
Cigs Solar Cell ◽  
In2s3 Thin Film ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells

As a Cd-free buffer, In2S3 buffer has been used in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells.

The impact of ribbon treatment on the interconnection of solar cells withina glass free PV module

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-99
Author(s):  
Piotr Sobik ◽  
Radosław Pawłowski ◽  
Anna Pluta ◽  
Olgierd Jeremiasz ◽  
Kazimierz Drabczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Fiber Composite ◽  
Relative Displacement ◽  
Structural Function ◽  
Solar Module ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Glass Fiber Composite ◽  
Environment Chamber ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behavior of interconnections between solar cells in a glass-free solar modules. As glass weight can be a limitation, it is still interesting to investigate other types of systems, especially when the glass was replaced with a polymeric front sheet. Such systems can be more sensitive for the solar cell interconnection ribbon fatigue. Design/methodology/approach To examine this effect, the set of glass-based and glass-free modules were prepared using various ribbon thickness and treatment concerning its stretching or curving before lamination. Furthermore, additional reinforcement of the connection between the ribbon and the solar cell was proposed. The prepared modules were exposed to the cyclic temperature variation in the environment chamber. The number of cycles after which the interconnection maintains its conductivity was noted. Findings Changing the outer layers into more elastic ones requires additional care for the ribbon treatment because interconnections become more sensitive for a system relative displacement. To secure interconnection before fatigue an additional curving of ribbon between solar cells can be introduced whereas the best results were obtained for a system with aluminum plate laminated as an interlayer. Originality/value The paper presents a new system of a glass-free solar module based on epoxy-glass fiber composite as a backsheet. The glass front sheet was replaced with an elastic, transparent polymer. Such construction can be used in a system where the glass weight is a limitation. As glass has a structural function in traditional modules and limits fatigues of interconnections the proposed system requires additional ribbon treatment to preserve long module life-span.

The Light Induced Changes in A-Si: H Materials and Solar Cells—Where We are Now

1997 ◽  
Vol 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Wronski
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Large Effort ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACTThe quest for understanding and especially controlling the reversible light induced changes in a-Si:H based materials has been ongoing for the last twenty years. This has been accompanied by a corresponding large effort in minimizing their effects on more efficient a-Si:H based solar cells. Despite the complexities in both the phenomena as well as the solar cells, progress has been made in both the scientific and technological arenas. This paper briefly reviews primarily studies on the characterization and reduction of the metastable changes in materials and the correlation of these changes with those in efficient solar cells. It will discuss the impact of studies on materials as well as the continuous advances made with “engineering” of solar cell structures on their improved stabilized performance.

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