摘要:

This paper briefly describes the research performed under the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)‐Industry Support Program. The objective of this program is to help the silicon photovoltaic (PV) industry accelerate the pace of reaching cost effectiveness of commercial PV energy. Under this program, NREL is working with industry to develop new methods for detailed characterization of the substrate material, new processing techniques that can lower the fabrication costs, and new device designs that exploit unique material‐process interactions. The major emphases of the paper are to elucidate the element of this program connected with the need for detailed characterization of PV substrates, to describe techniques that are being developed, and to discuss how the acquired information can be used to predict large‐area cell performance.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45769

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

As the use of polycrystalline silicon wafers has expanded in the photovoltaic industry, the need grows for monitoring and qualification techniques for as‐grown material that can be used to optimize crystal growth and help predict solar cell performance. Particular needs are for obtaining quantitative measures over full wafer areas of the effects of lifetime limiting defects and of the lifetime upgrading taking place during solar cell processing. We review here the approaches being pursued in programs under way to develop material quality specifications for thin Edge‐defined Film‐fed Growth (EFG) polycrystalline silicon as‐grown wafers. These studies involve collaborations between Mobil Solar, and NREL and university‐based laboratories.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45752

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Close cooperation between Crystal Systems and NREL has led to the optimization of HEM silicon produced in a reusable crucible. Systematic analysis for impurities and defects has shown that HEM silicon has potential for low‐cost production of high‐performance solar cells.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45744

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This paper reports on a number of specific experiments in which Solarex Corporation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have collaborated. This work involves the development of cast polycrystalline silicon for use as the substrate for the manufacture of solar cells. Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the improvements in cell efficiency that can be achieved via modified growth conditions, hydrogen passivation, and phosphorous gettering of the cast polycrystalline silicon substrates. NREL performed the hydrogenation and has also assisted in material evaluation using defect mapping, photocurrent mapping, and Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Both hydrogen passivation and phosphorous gettering show promise as cost effective approaches to increasing cell efficiencies.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45753

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

To reach the 15% stable efficiency goal for a‐Si modules by the year 2005, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has established four research teams. The teams with members from industry, universities, and NREL have been in operation for nearly one year now. Consensus has been reached that a triple‐junction a‐Si structure is needed to reach the goal. Performance parameter goals for the overall structure and the three subcells have been formulated. Development plans for all four teams have been generated. Individual team progress relative to the plans is reported.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45760

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The low material cost and proven manufacturability of amorphous silicon (a‐Si) alloy photovoltaic technology make it ideally suited for large‐scale terrestrial applications. The present efficiency of a‐Si alloy modules is, however, much lower than the 15% stable efficiency that would lead tosignificantpenetration of the electric utility bulk‐power market. The slow progress in achieving high stabilized a‐Si alloy module efficiencies may in part be attributed to the fact that only in the last few years did we emphasize stable efficiencies. A mission‐focused integrated effort among the a‐Si PV industry, universities, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) would help. To foster research integration, NREL has established four research teams with significant industry participation. In the 11 months since the research team formation, a close interaction among the a‐Si PV industry, universities, and NREL has been achieved and has resulted in mission‐directed research.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45717

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The semiconductor material science and associated device technologies have entered into a new era, almost a revolutionary period. The use of sophisticated computation techniques has given theoreticians the predictive power for novel materials architecture; the experimentalists have the ability to grow materials and devices under carefully controlled conditions and manipulate materials on an atomic scale; and the powerful analytical tools have enabled us to gain insight on the surface, interface, and bulk properties of materials and devices with a high degree of precision. These have opened up some opportunities for doing some very exciting materials and device research in the area of semiconductor materials, in general, and photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices, in particular. In this brief review, a global view of semiconductor materials for PV applications will be taken and an attempt will be made to identify future research opportunities.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45725

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Thin films of Cu(In,Ga)Se2were formed from precursor films of (In,Ga)2Se3. The films are smooth, with large, tightly packed grains. Photovoltaic devices made from these films show great tolerance in the efficiency to variations in film composition, and scalability of the process appears promising. A device made from one of these films resulted in the highest total‐area efficiency measured for any non‐single‐crystal, thin‐film solar cell, at 15.9%.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45732

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The main objectives of the European program on thin film solar cells based on chalcopyrite semiconductors are presented in this contribution. Emphasis is put on fundamental studies aiming at a better understanding of film growth, heterointerface properties, and device performance. Alloying of CuInSe2with CuGaSe2and CuInS2is considered to be of major importance in increasing the conversion efficiency. Active area efficiencies of nearly 17% have been achieved using advanced deposition techniques for the absorber and an optimized window. Having developed processes that yield highly efficient devices on a laboratory scale, the main task is presently considered to be upscaling and the fabrication of submodules.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45733

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Selenization technique was employed to grow CuInSe2(CIS) films on Mo coated glass substrates. Small area solar cells as well as 1 ft 2area modules were fabricated using these selenized layers and the ZnO/CdS/CIS/Mo/glass device structure. Several modules with close to 6 W power output were demonstrated. The aperture area efficiencies of these modules are about 7%.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.45734

出版商:AIP    

年代:1994

数据来源: AIP