Article

Bifacial CdTe Solar Cells with Copper Chromium Oxide Back‐Buffer Layer

Dipendra PokhrelWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAXavier MathewInstituto de Energías Renovables Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Temixco Morelos 62580 MéxicoKamala Khanal SubediWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAAesha P. PatelWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAAdam B. PhillipsWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAEbin BastolaWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAAbasi AbudulimuWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAManoj K. JamarkattelWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USASuman RijalWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAAbdul QuaderWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAJared D. FriedlWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAZachary W. ZawiszaWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAYanfa YanWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USAMichael J. HebenWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USARandy J. EllingsonWright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Toledo OH 43606 USA

2022en

ABI

Abstract

Bifacial solar cells have the potential to maintain energy output higher than monofacial devices under unfavorable weather conditions. A transparent back‐buffer layer which can passivate the interface and improve the minority carrier lifetime is critical in CdTe‐based bifacial devices. Herein, solution‐processed Cu x Cr y O z as a promising back‐buffer for CdTe/CdS solar cells is demonstrated. The carrier lifetimes measured at the front and back of the device are 31.2 and 3.1 ns, respectively, which correspond to an increase of ≈38% and 138%, respectively, compared to the reference device. This dramatic improvement in lifetime results in a 100% increase in short‐circuit current measured with backside illumination. The best bifacial device has efficiencies 7.6% and 12.5%, respectively, from back and front illumination, yielding a bifaciality factor of 0.60.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1002/solr.202200501

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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