Effect of window layer composition in Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S/CdTe solar cells

Giray Kartopu (1) , Andrew Clayton (1) , William Brooks (1) , Simon Hodgson (1) , Vincent Barrioz (1) , Alban Maertens (1) , Dan Lamb (1) , Stuart Irvine (1)

1 Wrexham Glyndŵr University

To improve CdS/CdTe cell/module efficiencies, CdS window layer thinning is commonly applied despite the risk of increased pin-hole defects and shunting. An alternative approach is to widen the band gap of the window layer (2.42 eV for CdS) via alloying, for example, by forming compositions of Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S. In this study, the performance of Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S/CdTe thin-film solar cells has been studied as a function of x (from x = 0 to 0.9), widening the window layer band gap up to and over 3.4 eV. Optimum Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S compositions were clearly identified to be around x = 0.7, and limitations to the achievable photocurrent and conversion efficiencies have been addressed.

Domaines: Matériaux

Giray Kartopu, Andrew Clayton, William Brooks, Simon Hodgson, Vincent Barrioz, et al.. Effect of window layer composition in Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S/CdTe solar cells. Progress in Photovoltaics, 2012, 22, pp.18-23. ⟨hal-01417812⟩