CIGSeS and CIGS2 Thin Film Solar Cells on Flexible Foils for Space Power

摘要

The work focuses on development of CuIn_(1-x)Ga_xSe_(2-y)S_y and CuIn_(1-x)Ga_xS_2 thin film solar cells on lightweight and flexible stainless steel (SS) or titanium foils as substrates. The near optimum bandgap, potential for higher specific power, and superior radiation resistance make this technology an ideal candidate for space electric power. The objective of the present research is to develop lightweight, radiation-resistant, highly efficient, high-specific-power CIGS thin-film solar cells-for space electric power. DC magnetron sputtered metallic precursors CuGa/In are selenized/sulfurized. CdS, heterojunction partner, is deposited by chemical bath deposition. Intrinsic ZnO and aluminum doped ZnO are deposited by RF magnetron sputtering followed by Ni/Al front contact fingers by thermal evaporation. Best efficiency of 8.84% under AM 0 conditions and 10.4% under AM 1.5 conditions was achieved on 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm stainless steel substrate from a cell of 0.4 cm~2 total area.