Work

Flexible CdTe/CdS solar cells on thin glass substrates

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate flexible CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells in a superstrate configuration with a cell conversion efficiency as high as 10.9%. We deposit a CdS window layer and a CdTe absorber layer on a flexible glass substrate using the chemical bath deposition method and close-spaced sublimation method, respectively. The thin and flexible glass substrates were able to tolerate a high growth temperature and post-growth processes. We repeatedly apply a strain of 0.15% to the fabricated CdTe/CdS solar cells, and this was shown to have a negligible effect on their performances. Our proposed thin films-on-compliant substrate structure, which was prepared by replacing a rigid glass with a bendable one, demonstrated flexible CdTe/CdS p-n junction thin-film solar cells without compromising the cell performance.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.00a316

Authors: Won-Oh Seo, Donghwan Kim, Jihyun Kim

Institution: Korea University

Language: English

Topic: Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270