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High-Efficiency Low-Cost Photovoltaic Modules Based on CIGS Thin Films from Solution Precursors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2019

Louay Eldada
Affiliation:
HelioVolt Corporation, 6301-8 E. Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744, U.S.A.
Peter Hersh
Affiliation:
HelioVolt Corporation, 6301-8 E. Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744, U.S.A.
Baosheng Sang
Affiliation:
HelioVolt Corporation, 6301-8 E. Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744, U.S.A.
Billy J. Stanbery
Affiliation:
HelioVolt Corporation, 6301-8 E. Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744, U.S.A.
Calvin J. Curtis
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Alexander Miedaner
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Susan Habas
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Maikel van Hest
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
David S. Ginley
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
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Abstract

We describe the production of photovoltaic modules with high-quality large-grain copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin films obtained with the unique combination of low-cost ink-based precursors and a reactive transfer printing method. The proprietary metal-organic inks contain a variety of soluble Cu-, In- and Ga- multinary selenide materials; they are called metal-organic decomposition (MOD) precursors, as they are designed to decompose into the desired precursors. Reactive transfer is a two-stage process that produces CIGS through the chemical reaction between two separate precursor films, one deposited on the substrate and the other on a printing plate in the first stage. In the second stage, these precursors are rapidly reacted together under pressure in the presence of heat. The use of two independent thin films provides the benefits of independent composition and flexible deposition technique optimization, and eliminates pre-reaction prior to the synthesis of CIGS. In a few minutes, the process produces high quality CIGS films, with large grains on the order of several microns, and preferred crystallographic orientation, as confirmed by compositional and structural analysis by XRF, SIMS, SEM and XRD. Cell efficiencies of 14% and module efficiencies of 12% were achieved using this method. The atmospheric deposition processes include slot die extrusion coating, ultrasonic atomization spraying, pneumatic atomization spraying, inkjet printing, direct writing, and screen printing, and provide low capital equipment cost, low thermal budget, and high throughput.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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