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High Efficiency Stable a-Si Three Junction 12″ × 13″ Modules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Murray S. Bennett
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
A. Catalano
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
J. Newton
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
C. Poplawski
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
R. Arya
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
K. Rajan
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
G. Wood
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
S. Wiedeman
Affiliation:
Solarex Corporation, Thin Film Division, 826 Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940
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Abstract

Three junction a-Si based photovoltaic modules have been made using a design which provides high initial efficiency and good resistance to photodegradation. The cells have a Si/Si/SiGe configuration in which the i-layer in the middle junction is 4000Å thick. The most efficient module measured to date has an aperture area efficiency of 9.82%. This design will limit light-induced efficiency losses to 15% or less, based on small area results, however defect related problems have increased this value to 17 – 23%. Preliminary data on the effect of shunts on stability is presented. We discuss various concerns related to large area deposition and scale-up.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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References

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