Project ID: D2019-40
Background
CdCl2 activation is a well-known method to passivate grain boundaries for CdTe solar cells. In crystalline silicon solar cells, manufacturers have started to modify film structures to incorporate a passivated layer. These are called Passivated Emitter and Rear Cells (PERC). The additional layer decreases the recombination rate on the back surface, which boosts the cells’ efficiency. Although the passivated layer has been well studied in silicon cells, modifying the interfaces between CdTe and the front or back contact are less common.
Invention Description
Researchers from the University of Toledo have developed a method to form a passivated contact on the CdTe solar cell surface. By incorporating an electrically conductive nanomaterial into the passivated layer, they were able to form low barrier contacts to CdTe. The photogenerated carrier lifetime in CdTe films increased significantly, indicating a decrease in the recombination rate at the back surface.
Applications
CdTe Solar Cell manufacturing
Advantages
Increased fill factor and circuit voltage
IP Status: Patent Pending