Application of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes as Transparent Electrodes in Cu(In,Ga)Se2-Based Solar Cells

Miguel Contreras, Teresa Barnes, Jao Van De Lagemaat, Garry Rumbles, Timothy J. Coutts, Chris Weeks, Paul Glatkowski, Igor Levitsky, Jorma Peltola

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

14 Scopus Citations

Abstract

We present a new thin-film solar cell structure in which the traditional transparent conductive oxide electrode (ZnO) is replaced by a transparent conductive coating consisting of a network of bundled single-wall carbon nanotubes. Optical transmission properties of these coatings are presented in relation to their electrical properties (sheet resistance), along with preliminary solar cell results from devices made using CuIn1-xGa xSe2 thin-film absorber materials. Achieving an energy conversion efficiency of >12% and a quantum efficiency of ∼80% demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. A discussion of the device structures will be presented considering the physical properties of the new electrodes comparing current-voltage results from the new solar cell structure and those from standard ZnO/CdS/Cu(In,Ga)Se2/Mo solar cells.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages428-431
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Event2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4 - Waikoloa, HI, United States
Duration: 7 May 200612 May 2006

Conference

Conference2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWaikoloa, HI
Period7/05/0612/05/06

Bibliographical note

For preprint version see NREL/CP-520-39914

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-520-41280

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