Process Development and Basic Studies of Electrochemically Deposited CdTe-Based Solar Cells: Annual Technical Report, Phase II, 16 May 1999 - 13 May 2000

This project which is performed at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), part of the NREL Thin-Film Partnership Program. The project addresses long-term research and development issues related to polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. Our general research approach is based on combining activities aimed at improvement of cell performance and stability with activities aimed at increasing ourfundamental understanding of the properties of materials making up the cells; CdTe, CdS, multi-layer back contact, and transparent conducting oxide (TCO) from contact. We emphasize the relation between structural and electronic materials properties and various processing procedures as well as the microscopic mechanisms responsible for the cell performance and its degradation.