Title :
Piezo-Photovoltaic Effect in Thin-Film CDS/CDTE Solar Cells
Author :
Drayton, Jennifer ; Mitra, M. ; Vasko, A. ; Kormanyos, K. ; Shvydka, Diana
Author_Institution :
Toledo Univ., OH
Abstract :
We study pressure dependence of photovoltaic (PV) parameters in CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells, attributable to piezo-electric properties of the CdS layer. The significance of this piezo-PV coupling is that it reveals the indispensable effects of internal pressure developing in the device as a result of its deposition, post-deposition treatments, lattice mismatches, and interfacial morphology. The static piezo-voltage induced by the internal pressure across the CdS layer in a device may be rather significant reaching several tenths of a volt. In addition to the recently reported effect of pressure perpendicular to the device surface, here we apply stress in lateral direction via bending the cells of two different configurations: on 3 mm glass superstrate and on flexible molybdenum (Mo) substrate. The observed reversible changes in major photovoltaic parameters are not small and can be related to the known strong piezoelectric effect in CdS. The effect of lateral stretching is found similar to that observed under pressure applied perpendicular to the film surface
Keywords :
II-VI semiconductors; cadmium compounds; photovoltaic effects; piezoelectricity; semiconductor thin films; solar cells; sputter deposition; thin film devices; 3 mm; CdS-CdTe; Mo; Na2O-CaO-SiO2; interfacial morphology; lattice mismatches; molybdenum substrate; photovoltaic effect; photovoltaic parameters; piezoelectric properties; post-deposition treatments; semiconductor thin film; soda lime glass superstrate; solar cells; sputter deposition; Glass; Lattices; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Piezoelectric films; Solar power generation; Stress; Surface morphology; Surface treatment; Transistors;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on
Conference_Location :
Waikoloa, HI
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0017-1
Electronic_ISBN :
1-4244-0017-1
DOI :
10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279498