Elemental vapor deposited polycrystalline CdTe thin film photovoltaic modules

Elemental vapor deposited polycrystalline CdTe/CdS thin films have the potential to produce 85 watt modules on 0.72 m² superstrates; that is a total area efficiency of 11.8%. Present values for 0.72 m² module parameters are 17.7 mA/cm² Jsc, 0.80 V/cell Voc, 0.61 FF, 8.6% active area efficiency, 0.86 area ratio, and 53 watts power output. Semiconductor films deposited using technology suitable for high throughput and low cost are dense and adherent with thickness uniformity of approximately 15%. Present devices are limited primarily by low Jsc and fill factor, both of which can be improved substantially using essentially the current materials, procedures and device structure. This paper describes loss mechanisms and potential for improvement