An Illumination- and Temperature-Dependent Analytical Model for Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) Solar Cells

Sun, Xingshu; Silverman, Timothy J.; Garris, Rebekah L.; Deline, Chris; Alam, Muhammad Ashraful

doi:10.1109/jphotov.2016.2583790

Cited by 23 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…3,4 It was recently shown that in analogy to organic-and amorphous silicon-based devices, the non-linear shunt in CIGS solar cells is best described by the SCLC (space-chargelimited current) theory. 1,2,[4][5][6] The basic model suggests the presence of a dielectric layer embedded between two injecting contacts, which provide only one type of carrier, while the other type of carrier is blocked. 7 It was thereby proposed that CIGS-based devices contain an intrinsic layer located in the CIGS absorber, which is formed due to some undefined electronic non-uniformity of the absorber.…”

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confidence: 99%

Space-charge-limited currents in CIS-based solar cells

Zelenina

Werner

Elanzeery

et al. 2017

Applied Physics Letters

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Non-linear shunts in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells have been well described mathematically using the model of a space-charge-limited current, but their physical origin remained unclear so far. We study space-charge-limited currents on Cu-rich CuInSe2 (CIS) devices, which represent a very suitable system: the devices always exhibit non-linear shunts with a very pronounced behavior. Here, we demonstrate a fundamental difference in the transport mechanism between the Cu-rich-based device and the conventional Cu-poor one. We discuss the location of a space-charge-limited current by comparing devices containing various component layers with Ohmic contacts. We confirm that Cu-rich CIS and cadmium sulfide layers alone do not create a non-linear shunt. Our experimental results demonstrate that the origin of the non-linear behavior is located at the interface between the absorber and buffer layers. Temperature dependent current-voltage measurements performed on Cu-rich-based CIS devices are discussed in agreement with a space-charge-limited current theory suggesting the model of an insulator with traps.

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confidence: 99%

Space-charge-limited currents in CIS-based solar cells

Zelenina

Werner

Elanzeery

et al. 2017

Applied Physics Letters

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“…First, because the conventional single‐diode and double‐diode models cannot capture the physics of thin‐film solar cells (eg, voltage‐dependent photocurrent), one needs to adopt new circuit models. Sun et al, Sun et al, Sun et al, and Crandall developed a set of physics‐based circuit models for a‐Si, perovskite, CIGS, and CdTe solar cells. These models also contain physical parameters pertaining to degradation pathways unique to these thin‐film technologies, eg, s f and s b in Sun et al can describe the interface degradation in a perovskite solar cell .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mainstream PV technologies can be categorized into 3 groups: (1) p‐n homojunction (eg, c‐Si and GaAs), (2) p‐i‐n junction (eg, a‐Si and perovskites), and (3) p‐n heterojunction (eg, CIGS and CdTe). Depending on a particular technology, we select the corresponding equivalent circuit in the Suns‐Vmp method: for example, Sun et al for CIGS, Sun et al for perovskites, and Chavali for silicon heterojunction. Because a solar cell is exposed to varying illumination intensities and temperatures, the equivalent circuit must be capable of describing the illumination‐dependent and temperature‐dependent IV curves.…”

Section: The Suns‐vmp Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Depending on a particular technology, we select the corresponding equivalent circuit in the Suns-Vmp method: for example, Sun et al 24 for CIGS, Sun et al 25 for perovskites, and Chavali 26 for silicon heterojunction. Because a solar cell is exposed to varying illumination intensities and temperatures, the equivalent circuit must be capable of describing the illumination-dependent and temperature-dependent IV curves.…”

Section: Step 1: Development and Choice Of The Equivalent Circuit (mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Real‐time monitoring and diagnosis of photovoltaic system degradation only using maximum power point—the Suns‐Vmp method

Sun

Chavali

Alam

2018

Progress in Photovoltaics

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The uncertainties associated with technology‐specific and geography‐specific degradation rates make it difficult to calculate the levelized cost of energy, and thus the economic viability of solar energy. In this regard, millions of fielded photovoltaic modules may serve as a global testbed, where we can interpret the routinely collected time series maximum power point (MPP) data to assess the time‐dependent “health” of solar modules. The existing characterization methods, however, cannot effectively mine/decode these datasets to identify various degradation pathways. In this paper, we propose a new methodology called the Suns‐Vmp method, which offers a simple yet powerful approach to monitoring and diagnosing time‐dependent degradation of solar modules by using the MPP data. The algorithm reconstructs “IV” curves by using the natural illumination‐dependent and temperature‐dependent daily MPP characteristics as constraints to fit physics‐based circuit models. These synthetic IV characteristics are then used to determine the time‐dependent evolution of circuit parameters (eg, series resistance), which in turn allows one to deduce the dominant degradation modes (eg, solder bond failure) of solar modules. The proposed method has been applied to a test facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Our analysis indicates that the solar modules degraded at a rate of ~0.7%/year because of discoloration and weakened solder bonds. These conclusions are validated by independent outdoor IV measurements and on‐site imaging characterization. Integrated with physics‐based degradation models or machine learning algorithms, the method can also serve to predict the lifetime of photovoltaic systems.

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“…The lognormal distribution of shunt can be inherent in thin-film technologies, which originated from the fact that grain size in poly-crystalline films is lognormal distributed regardless of the choice of materials. Using the physics-based module simulation framework [19][20], we performed Monte Carlo simulation for CIGS modules with different sizes given a lognormal distribution of shunt to investigate the effect of module area on the efficiency (Figure 10). One important observation from the simulation is that modules with a larger size have a narrower distribution of efficiency (i.e., smaller variance).…”

Section: Potential Effect Of Increased Module Size On Energy Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of the Cost and Performance of Photovoltaic Systems as a Function of Module Area

Horowitz

Silverman

et al. 2017

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We investigate the potential effects of module area on the cost and performance of photovoltaic systems. Applying a bottom-up methodology, we analyzed the costs associated with mc-Si and thin-film modules and systems as a function of module area. We calculate a potential for savings of up to $0.04/W, $0.10/W, and $0.13/W in module manufacturing costs for mc-Si, CdTe, and CIGS respectively, with large area modules. We also find that an additional $0.04/W savings in balance-of-systems costs may be achieved. However, these savings are dependent on the ability to maintain efficiency and manufacturing yield as area scales. Lifetime energy yield must also be maintained to realize reductions in the levelized cost of energy. We explore the possible effects of module size on efficiency and energy production, and find that more research is required to understand these issues for each technology. Sensitivity of the $/W cost savings to module efficiency and manufacturing yield is presented. We also discuss non-cost barriers to adoption of large area modules. v This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at www.nrel.gov/publications.

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An Illumination- and Temperature-Dependent Analytical Model for Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) Solar Cells

Cited by 23 publications

References 50 publications

Space-charge-limited currents in CIS-based solar cells

Space-charge-limited currents in CIS-based solar cells

Real‐time monitoring and diagnosis of photovoltaic system degradation only using maximum power point—the Suns‐Vmp method

An Analysis of the Cost and Performance of Photovoltaic Systems as a Function of Module Area

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