Project Name: Novel n-type Device Architectures to Achieve 1 Volt Voc in Thin-Film CdTe Cells
Funding Opportunity: Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2018 Funding Program (SETO FY2018)
SETO Research Area: Photovoltaics
Location: Tampa, FL
SETO Award Amount: $750,000
Awardee Cost Share: $187,500
Principal Investigator: Chris Ferekides
-- Award and cost share amounts are subject to change pending negotiations --
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the second most developed PV technology and has achieved efficiencies comparable to those of conventional crystalline silicon cells, but its cell structure and manufacturing may be able to benefit from further improvement. This project will examine the effects of different materials and process pathways on the production and performance of thin-film CdTe cells.
APPROACH
The project team will explore how adding indium and gallium to CdTe films affect their stability and activation, or level of contribution to electronic conduction. They will study how different material deposition methods and cell device architectures affect their ability to convert sunlight to electricity and evaluate manufacturing processes to determine which are best suited for the technology. The team will characterize the thin films containing indium and gallium and measure voltage capacity to inform performance modeling studies.
INNOVATION
This team will study alternative materials, new device models, and innovative processing routes to better understand how they influence CdTe solar cell performance. Results of this project will advance knowledge in the materials development space, which may contribute to further development of more efficient CdTe cells.