Processing and Properties of Sub-Micron CIGS Solar Cells

K. Ramanathan; R. Noufi; B. To; D. L. Young; R. Bhattacharya; M. A. Contreras; R. G. Dhere; G. Teeter

doi:10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469

Processing and Properties of Sub-Micron CIGS Solar Cells

K. Ramanathan, R. Noufi, B. To, D. L. Young, R. Bhattacharya, M. A. Contreras, R. G. Dhere, G. Teeter

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

47 Scopus Citations

Abstract

We report on the progress in fabricating CIGS solar cells where the absorber thickness is nominally about 1-μum. This is done with the objective of reducing the material cost in large-volume production of CIGS where the cost of the high-purity metals, and especially that of In, will become significant factors. At the present time, we have fabricated a 17.1 % efficient solar cell for a 1-μm thick CIGS absorber, and this is arguably the best result for this thickness. Further improvements can be made by optimizing the absorber bandgap and minimizing the window layer losses. We compare the properties of thin films and solar cells fabricated by the three-stage process and co-evaporation. The effect of absorber bandgap and bandgap grading are discussed with the help of experimental data. An analysis of the mechanisms that contribute to the loss of performance in thin cells is provided.

Original language	American English
Pages	380-383
Number of pages	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469 https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469
State	Published - 2006
Event	2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4 - Waikoloa, HI, United States Duration: 7 May 2006 → 12 May 2006

Conference

Conference	2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4
Country/Territory	United States
City	Waikoloa, HI
Period	7/05/06 → 12/05/06

NREL Publication Number

NREL/CP-520-39905

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Ramanathan, K., Noufi, R., To, B., Young, D. L., Bhattacharya, R., Contreras, M. A., Dhere, R. G., & Teeter, G. (2006). Processing and Properties of Sub-Micron CIGS Solar Cells. 380-383. Paper presented at 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4, Waikoloa, HI, United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469, https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469

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author = "K. Ramanathan and R. Noufi and B. To and Young, {D. L.} and R. Bhattacharya and Contreras, {M. A.} and Dhere, {R. G.} and G. Teeter",

year = "2006",

doi = "10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469",

language = "American English",

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note = "2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4 ; Conference date: 07-05-2006 Through 12-05-2006",

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Ramanathan, K, Noufi, R, To, B, Young, DL, Bhattacharya, R, Contreras, MA, Dhere, RG & Teeter, G 2006, 'Processing and Properties of Sub-Micron CIGS Solar Cells', Paper presented at 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4, Waikoloa, HI, United States, 7/05/06 - 12/05/06 pp. 380-383. https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469, https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279469

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AU - Ramanathan, K.

AU - Noufi, R.

AU - To, B.

AU - Young, D. L.

AU - Bhattacharya, R.

AU - Contreras, M. A.

AU - Dhere, R. G.

AU - Teeter, G.

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AB - We report on the progress in fabricating CIGS solar cells where the absorber thickness is nominally about 1-μum. This is done with the objective of reducing the material cost in large-volume production of CIGS where the cost of the high-purity metals, and especially that of In, will become significant factors. At the present time, we have fabricated a 17.1 % efficient solar cell for a 1-μm thick CIGS absorber, and this is arguably the best result for this thickness. Further improvements can be made by optimizing the absorber bandgap and minimizing the window layer losses. We compare the properties of thin films and solar cells fabricated by the three-stage process and co-evaporation. The effect of absorber bandgap and bandgap grading are discussed with the help of experimental data. An analysis of the mechanisms that contribute to the loss of performance in thin cells is provided.

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ER -

Processing and Properties of Sub-Micron CIGS Solar Cells

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