Band alignment of CdTe with MoOx oxide and fabrication of high efficiency CdTe solar cells

Wang, Dezhao; Yang, Ruilong; Wu, Lingling; Shen, Kai

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2018.01.031

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Despite the cell efficiency of thin film cells increasing dramatically in only a short number of years ( (e.g. the highest reported cell efficiency for CdTe is 22.1% [6]), the overall module efficiencies for semi-transparent PV windows are reported in a range of only 4.1%-12% [9] [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. This is due to the requirement of attaining a certain degree of transparency [7] and the inclusion of cover glass [8] for the integrated thin film window versions of the technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated semi-transparent cadmium telluride photovoltaic glazing into windows: Energy and daylight performance for different architecture designs

et al. 2018

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When integrating photovoltaics into building windows, the photovoltaic glazing modules inhibit the function that glass performs, with the additional function of energy production. Semi-transparent Photovoltaic (STPV) glazing will absorb part of the solar radiation incident on the window surface to generate electrical power. In turn, this affects the overall solar energy and natural daylight penetrating the indoor space. Various factors determine the building energy performance and indoor comfort level as a result of adopting STPV glazing. The factors regarding window design alone (window size, PV glazing coverage ratio and PV glazing placing position) require rigorous study. In this paper, an innovate model (combined optical, electrical and energy model) was developed to comprehensively evaluate the performance of an office equipped with STPV window and firstly analyse the effect of window design on overall energy efficiency. A double-glazing unit integrated with thin film CdTe solar cells with 10% transparency was electrically characterised by Sandia Array Performance Model (SAPM). The annual energy performance of a typical office served by window integrated STPV glazing was investigated through EnergyPlus simulation for various window designs under five typical climatic conditions in China (using weather files of Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Kunming for representation). The optical performance (defined by a Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Function) of this STPV glazing was also obtained using a ray-tracing technique. Then, the annual daylight performance of the porotype office was assessed using RADIANCE. We found that when compared to a conventional double-glazed system, the application of PV window can result in considerable energy saving if the office has a relatively large window-to-wall ratio (i.e. ≥45%), while the position of placing STPV glazing has significant influence on the lighting energy consumption. In the specific climates under test, the optimal design scenario of applying window integrated PV can result in a reduction in energy consumption of up to 73%. The simulation results also show that this PV window offers better daylight performance than conventional double glazing and effectively reduces the possibility of glare.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated semi-transparent cadmium telluride photovoltaic glazing into windows: Energy and daylight performance for different architecture designs

et al. 2018

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“…Thin cells technology features lower efficiency, reaching usually a dozen per cent [18,19], however, a huge development is reported lately (some technologies can exceed 20%) [20]. Another disadvantage related to a-Si solar cells is Staebler-Wronski effect resulting in efficiency degradation.…”

Section: Technological Generations Of Solar (Pv) Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photovoltaic Technology Integration with Tensile Membrane Structures - a Critical Review

Milosevic

Marchwiński

2022

Teh. vjesn.

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Tensile membrane structures and photovoltaic technology have been developing completely independently one from the other until recently. After the realization that PV-membrane integration would benefit both of these systems, research on their common application began. Photovoltaic panels increase the energy efficiency of tensile membrane structures, while at the same time tensile membrane structures provide large areas for harvesting solar power. This symbiosis has been tested and proven both scientifically and in practice. This paper presents the state of the art of scientific research concerning tensile membrane structures fitted with photovoltaic technology. Based on this knowledge, possibilities and problems connected with photovoltaic technology integration in tensile membrane structures were identified. It was observed that they refer to three main types of properties affected by the integration, i.e.: thermal, energy, and structural properties. The main factors influencing these properties are PVmembrane integration methods and PV-membrane geometry. Furthermore, the conducted analysis allowed for identification of insufficiently explored areas in this field and recommendations for further research. The aim of this paper is to help in systematizing the existing knowledge which should have a positive effect to achieving widespread application of photovoltaic integrated membrane structures.

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“…Chemical bath deposition (CBD), closed space sublimation (CSS), and thermal evaporation techniques are promising methods for depositing CdS, CdTe, and back contact layers. To avoid the Cu diffusion in these photovoltaic devices, Cu-free back contacts, such as wide bandgap metal oxides (NiO, MoO 3 , V 2 O 5 , and WO 3 ), have been introduced as an alternative to Cu [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The electronic band alignment between CdTe and back contact directly affects the charge transport and recombination properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermally Evaporated Copper Iodide Hole-Transporter for Stable CdS/CdTe Thin-Film Solar Cells

et al. 2022

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This study focuses on fabricating efficient CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells with thermally evaporated cuprous iodide (CuI) as hole-transporting material (HTM) by replacing Cu back contact in conventional CdS/CdTe solar cells to avoid Cu diffusion. In this study, a simple thermal evaporation method was used for the CuI deposition. The current-voltage characteristic of devices with CuI films of thickness 5 nm to 30 nm was examined under illuminations of 100 mW/cm2 (1 sun) with an Air Mass (AM) of 1.5 filter. A CdS/CdTe solar cell device with thermally evaporated CuI/Au showed power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.92% with JSC, VOC, and FF of 21.98 mA/cm2, 0.64 V, and 0.49 under optimized fabrication conditions. Moreover, stability studies show that fabricated CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells with CuI hole-transporters have better stability than CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells with Cu/Au back contacts. The significant increase in FF and, hence, PCE, and the stability of CdS/CdTe solar cells with CuI, reveals that Cu diffusion could be avoided by replacing Cu with CuI, which provides good band alignment with CdTe, as confirmed by XPS. Such an electronic band structure alignment allows smooth hole transport from CdTe to CuI, which acts as an electron reflector. Hence, CuI is a promising alternative stable hole-transporter for CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells that increases the PCE and stability.

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Band alignment of CdTe with MoOx oxide and fabrication of high efficiency CdTe solar cells

Cited by 20 publications

References 65 publications

Integrated semi-transparent cadmium telluride photovoltaic glazing into windows: Energy and daylight performance for different architecture designs

Integrated semi-transparent cadmium telluride photovoltaic glazing into windows: Energy and daylight performance for different architecture designs

Photovoltaic Technology Integration with Tensile Membrane Structures - a Critical Review

Thermally Evaporated Copper Iodide Hole-Transporter for Stable CdS/CdTe Thin-Film Solar Cells

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