High Efficiency Graded Bandgap Thin-Film Polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2-Based Solar Cells

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Our effort towards the attainment of high performance devices has yielded several devices with total-area conversion efficiencies above 16%, the highest measuring 16.8% under standard reporting conditions (ASTM E892-87, Global 1000 W/m2). The first attempts to translate this development to larger areas resulted in an efficiency of 12.5% for a 16.8-cm2 monolithically interconnected submodule teststructure, and 15.3% for a 4.85-cm2 single cell. Achievement of a 17.2% device efficiency fabricated for operation under concentration (22-sun) is also reported. All high efficiency devices reported here were made from compositional graded absorbers. The compositional Ga/(In+Ga) variations result in absorbers with graded bandgaps and graded carrier concentrations. Two types of bandgap gradingshave been fabricated and characterized. We discuss their background for PV action enhancement along with the experimental concepts to grow such structures via coevaporation methods.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Pages (from-to)231-246
    Number of pages16
    JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
    Volume41/42
    Issue number1-4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1996

    NREL Publication Number

    • ACNR/JA-413-15733

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