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The Performance of Cu(In, Ga)Se2-Based Solar Cells in Conventional and Concentrator Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

J. R. Tuttle ,
J. S. Ward ,
A. Duda ,
T. A. Berens ,
M. A. Contreras ,
K. R. Ramanathan ,
A. L. Tennant ,
J. Keane ,
E. D. Cole  and
K. Emery
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J. R. Tuttle
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
J. S. Ward
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
A. Duda
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
T. A. Berens
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
M. A. Contreras
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
K. R. Ramanathan
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
A. L. Tennant
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
J. Keane
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
E. D. Cole
Affiliation:
CoGen Solar, L.L.C., Centreville, Virginia USA (ph) 703-266-0798, (fax) 703-266-0798, CoGenSolar@aol.com
K. Emery
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
R. Noufi
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado USA (ph) 303-384-6534, (fax) 303-384-6430, johnjtuttle@nrel.gov
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Abstract

Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells are under investigation for 1-sun and concentrator applications. Design criteria are examined and reveal that only grid design modifications are required. In the special case where cell width dimensions are 4–5 cm, an interdigitated design removes the back contact as a loss mechanism. Processing issues relating to the intrinsic ZnO layer are critical to optimal and reproducible cell performance. 1-sun and 20 sun performance of 17.7% are reported for different cells. The latter represents a 2.9% absolute improvement over the 1-sun control measurement. 20% performance is therefore a realistic goal. CIGS-based cells represent a viable concentrator technology.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 426: Symposium J – Thin Films for Photovoltaic and Related Device , 1996 , 143
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1996

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