scholarly journals Development of a thin film polycrystalline solar cell for large scale terrestrial use. Final report, July 1, 1976--June 30, 1977

1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Not Given Author

Author(s):  
Hongliang Wang ◽  
Y. Lawrence Yao ◽  
Hongqiang Chen

Laser scribing is an important manufacturing process used to reduce photocurrent and resistance losses and increase solar cell efficiency through the formation of serial interconnections in large-area solar cells. High-quality scribing is crucial since the main impediment to large-scale adoption of solar power is its high-production cost (price-per-watt) compared to competing energy sources such as wind and fossil fuels. In recent years, the use of glass-side laser scribing processes has led to increased scribe quality and solar cell efficiencies; however, defects introduced during the process such as thermal effect, microcracks, film delamination, and removal uncleanliness keep the modules from reaching their theoretical efficiencies. Moreover, limited numerical work has been performed in predicting thin-film laser removal processes. In this study, a nanosecond (ns) laser with a wavelength at 532 nm is employed for pattern 2 (P2) scribing on CdTe (cadmium telluride) based thin-film solar cells. The film removal mechanism and defects caused by laser-induced micro-explosion process are studied. The relationship between those defects, removal geometry, laser fluences, and scribing speeds are also investigated. Thermal and mechanical numerical models are developed to analyze the laser-induced spatiotemporal temperature and pressure responsible for film removal. The simulation can well-predict the film removal geometries, transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer thermal damage, generation of microcracks, film delamination, and residual materials. The characterization of removal qualities will enable the process optimization and design required to enhance solar module efficiency.



2021 ◽  
Vol 2070 (1) ◽  
pp. 012043
Author(s):  
S S Hegde ◽  
K Ramesh

Abstract Photovoltaics (PV) have become increasingly popular and reached as the third-largest renewable energy source. Thin-film solar cells made from earth-abundant, inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials are needed to replace the current PV technologies whose large-scale applications are limited by material and/or resource constraints. Near optimum direct optical bandgap of 1.3 eV, high absorption coefficient (>104 cm−1), less toxic, and abundant raw resources along with considerable scalability have made tin sulfide (SnS) as a strategic choice for next-generation PVs. In this review, limitations of leading commercial PV technologies and the status of a few alternate low-cost PV materials are outlined. Recent literature on crucial physical properties of SnS thin-films and the present status of SnS thin-film-based solar cells are discussed. Deficiency and adequacy of some of the key properties of SnS including carrier mobility (μ), minority carrier lifetime (τ), and absorption coefficient (α) are discussed in comparison of existing commercial solar cell materials. Future research trends on SnS based solar cells to enhance their conversion efficiencies towards the theoretical maximum of 24% from present ~5% and its prospectus as next-generation solar cell is also discussed.



2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 4147-4154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Anower Hossain ◽  
Zhang Tianliang ◽  
Lee Kian Keat ◽  
Li Xianglin ◽  
Rajiv R. Prabhakar ◽  
...  

An aqueous spray-pyrolysis approach for synthesizing Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin film, which leads to 10.54% power conversion efficiency in solar cell, and shows ease of fabrication of films in large-scale at a much cheaper cost.



2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obi Kingsley Echendu ◽  
Francis Birhanu Dejene ◽  
Imyhamy Mudiy Dharmadasa ◽  
Francis Chukwuemeka Eze

Electrochemical deposition and characterization of nanocrystallite-CdS thin films for thin film solar cell application are reported. The two-electrode system used provides a relatively simple and cost-effective approach for large-scale deposition of semiconductors for solar cell and other optoelectronic device application. Five CdS thin films were deposited for 45 minutes each at different cathodic deposition voltages in order to study their properties. X-ray diffraction study reveals that the as-deposited films contain mixed phases of hexagonal and cubic CdS crystallites with large amounts of internal strain and dislocation density. Postdeposition annealing results in phase transformation which leaves the films with only the hexagonal crystal phase and reduced strain and dislocation density while increasing the crystallite sizes from 21.0–42.0 nm to 31.2–63.0 nm. Photoelectrochemical cell study shows that all the CdS films have n-type electrical conductivity. Optical characterization reveals that all samples show similar transmittance and absorbance responses with the transmittance slightly increasing towards higher growth voltages. All the annealed films show energy bandgap of 2.42 eV. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses show that grains on the surface of the films tend to get cemented together after annealing with prior CdCl2 treatment while all the films are S-rich.





2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (01n03) ◽  
pp. 2040010
Author(s):  
Xin-Yao Zou

The semiconducting thin film solar cell based on Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) materials is considered as a promising candidate for very large-scale application due to high absorption coefficient and low cost. In this study, the performances of n-ZnO/n-CdS/p-CZTS solar cells were numerically simulated using the AFORS-HET software. The influences of double-graded bandgap and thickness of CZTS layer on the performances of the solar cell were investigated. The calculated results show that double-graded bandgap structure can greatly optimize the conversion efficiency of CZTS thin film solar cell. The optimal dual gradient structure is 1.4 eV-1.3 eV-1.5 eV, the optimal thickness ratio is 11:1, and the conversion efficiency could be 26.63%. The results of this study can serve as a guide in fabricating CZTS solar cell.



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