Process Development of Cztse Thin-Film Solar Cells with Sub-Wavelength Nanostructures in Light-Harvesting Enhancement

Solar cells can be categorized as bulk or thin-film solar cells by their structures. In thin-film solar cells, chalcogenide-based materials, such as CuInSe2 (CIS), Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS), and CdTe, have attracted considerable interest because of their high absorption coefficient and high-power conversion efficiency. However, these materials have certain limitations, such as the scarcity of indium and gallium. Therefore, CZTSe has the greatest potential as the next generation of photovoltaic devices. The main objective of this project is to investigate and develop high efficiency CZTSe solar cell with subwavelength structures. In this project, we will fabricate CZTSe solar cells with high efficiency via commercially acceptable manufacturing techniques by optimization growth parameters. In addition, several techniques will be applied to fabricate 1D hybrid ZnO-based nanostructures. The influence of surface morphologies on the light-trapping efficiency will be investigated by simulation as well. In this simulation, the electrical and optical properties of subwavelength structures with various height, diameter, and sizes have been studied. The omnidirectional and broadband antireflections of the nanostructures are also investigated. The aim of this project is to develop high efficiency CZTSe solar cell with 6 % efficiency by sputtering technique. Under a simulated 1-sun condition and light incident angle increased to 60°, cells with subwavelength structures enhanced the short-circuit current density by 40%. The achievements can make substantial progress in developing CZTSe solar cells providing environmental and manufacturing benefits.

Project ID:PB10406-1071
External Project ID:MOST104-2622-E182-003-CC3