Progress in inexpensive a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem module technology

Author

Schropp, R.E.I. ; von der Linden, M.B. ; Wallinga, J. ; Knoesen, D. ; Hyvärinen, J. ; Skarp, J. ; Suntola, T. ; Willemen, J.A. ; Zeman, M. ; Metselaar, J.W. ; Loyer, W. ; Guillardeau, D. ; Fabre, E.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Atomic & Interface Phys., Utrecht Univ., Netherlands

Volume

1

fYear

1994

fDate

5-9 Dec 1994

Firstpage

626

Abstract

This paper describes a research and technology development project within the framework of the EU JOULE II program in order to implement a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem solar cell structures developed in the laboratory in the manufacturing procedure for large area integrated modules at NAPS France. In less than 20 test runs utilizing a stacked a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem solar cell structure, the authors have obtained current-matched PV panels (30 cm×90 cm) with an initial power output equal to conventional single junction panels. Stability tests performed outdoor showed that tandem modules are indeed more stable than their single junction counterparts. This is accomplished without adding production steps with respect to single junction module production. Therefore the tandem fabrication concept will lead to a drastic reduction in the cost per peak Watt, even at small production levels

Keywords

amorphous semiconductors; elemental semiconductors; hydrogen; p-n heterojunctions; semiconductor device manufacture; semiconductor device testing; semiconductor doping; silicon; solar cell arrays; solar cells; 30 cm; 90 cm; EU JOULE II program; R&D project; Si:H-Si:H; a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem solar cell; amorphous semiconductor; current-matched PV panels; initial power output; large area integrated modules; manufacturing procedure; production levels; stability tests; tandem fabrication concept; Africa; Amorphous silicon; Costs; Laboratories; Optical films; Photovoltaic cells; Physics; Production; Testing; Thin film devices;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 1994., Conference Record of the Twenty Fourth. IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 1994, 1994 IEEE First World Conference on

Conference_Location

Waikoloa, HI

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1460-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/WCPEC.1994.520039

Filename

520039