Thin oxide buffer layers for avoiding leaks in CIGS solar cells; a theoretical analysis

Cu(InGa)Se2 THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS: COMPARATIVE LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS OF BUFFER LAYERS

A motivation for replacing the current CdS buffer layer in CIGS PV is to avoid potential environmentaland humanhealth risks related to cadmium compounds. However, to gain a full perspective, such risks should be evaluated throughout the entire life cycle of the CdS, and also of alternative buffer layers. Based on data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Global Solar Energy, we exa...

Modelling and Degradation Characteristics of Thin-film CIGS Solar Cells

A study on the optics of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) solar cells with ultra-thin absorber layers.

We present a systematic study of the effect of variation of the zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) layer thickness on the absorption characteristics of CIGS solar cells using a simulation program based on finite element method (FEM). We show that the absorption in the CIGS layer does not decrease monotonically with its layer thickness due to interference effects. Erg...

Conducting two-phase silicon oxide layers for thin-film silicon solar cells

We present optical properties and microstructure analyses of hydrogenated silicon suboxide layers containing silicon nanocrystals (nc-SiOx:H). This material is especially adapted for the use as intermediate reflecting layer (IRL) in micromorph silicon tandem cells due to its low refractive index and relatively high transverse conductivity. The nc-SiOx:H is deposited by very high frequency plasm...

The Role Of Cadmium Oxide Within The Thin Films Of The Buffer Cds Aimed At Solar Cells Based Upon CIGS Films Fabrication

High quality Cadmium Sulphide thin films were grown on directly heated substrates of commercial glass by means of Modified Chemical Bath Deposition. Structural and optical properties of the obtained films were achieved. The impact of heat treatment in air at 450°C for one hour reveals the apparition of nano films of Cadmium Oxide on the surface of these buffer layers, which decreases dramatical...