ELECTRODEPOSITED CdTe FOR THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS

Large area 300 mm x 300 mm CdS/CdTe solar cells with record efficiencies over 10% have been fabricated using a reproducible, safe and low cost electrodeposition route for CdTe deposition. CdS window layers have been grown using chemical bath deposition which produces uniform adherent films by a cost effective route. Electrical characterization of small area (0.02 cm²) devices confirms that the structure is p-n rather than p-i-n. Module reliability tests show efficiency stability for more than 16,000 hours outside, and very little change using indoor environmental tests.