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Progress in Tandem PV Power Modules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Charles F. Gay
Affiliation:
ARCO Solar, Inc., Chatsworth, CA 91313.
K. W. Mitchell
Affiliation:
ARCO Solar, Inc., Chatsworth, CA 91313.
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Abstract

Advances in materials research continue to push forward the performance of thin film photovoltaic technology and bring closer to reality the goal of low cost (less than $2/wattpeak selling price), high efficiency (greater than 15%) modules. A tandem module of thin film silicon:hydrogen alloy (TFS) above copper indium diselenide (CIS) promises to be a most effective approach to this goal. The performance of the high band gap TFS and low band gap CIS has been advanced in part by understanding the nature of the materials and by optimizing the processing techniques. Careful evaluation of various alternatives has led to the selection of suitable materials to serve as the transparent conductive electrodes and the transparent optical coupler between the TFS and CIS. This paper addresses the next steps in capturing efficiency improvements and characterizes probable real world performance.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

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References

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