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Commercial status of thin-film photovoltaic devices and materials

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Abstract

We present a review of commercial thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies and products. After a brief introduction of recent dynamics in the on-grid PV market, we provide an overview of commercial thin-film silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium diselenide, and organic PV modules – including representative efficiencies, deposition processes, module form factors, and nominal production capacities available for production today. Finally, we discuss the technical, production, and market targets of thin-film PV module developers.

©2010 Optical Society of America

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Figures (4)

Fig. 1
Fig. 1 Schematics of example commercial thin-film silicon PV module device structures. (a) A single-junction a-Si PV module with Al back contact (e.g. Applied Materials a-Si turn-key products [9]) (b) Dual-junction a-Si/a-Si module, (c) Tandem-junction a-Si/μc-Si “micromorph” PV module with ZnO:Al backcontact and white paste reflector (e.g. Oerlikon micromorph turn-key products [10]), and (d) Triple-junction a-Si/a-SiGe/a-SiGe PV cell built on stainless steel foil (e.g. Uni-Solar (Energy Conversion Devices)) [11].
Fig. 2
Fig. 2 Schematics of example commercial CdTe module device structures. (a) Glass/glass CdTe PV module using commercial SnO2:F-coated glass and incorporating an EVA laminate [28]. (b) CdTe PV module structure incorporating a silicone edge seal with desiccated polyisobutylene (PIB) inserts (e.g. Abound Solar [29]), and (c) CdTe PV module structure incorporating the high-performance design reported by Wu that utilizes a Cd2SnO4 TCO layer [31].
Fig. 3
Fig. 3 Schematics of example commercial CIGS module device structures. (a) CIGS module architecture, including a CdS buffer layer deposited via chemical bath deposition [28] and (b) A flexible module design, including front contact gridlines of Ag paste and alternative module laminates, where indicated.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4 Schematics of example OPV cells and module device structures. (a) Polymer/fullerene bulk-heterojunction PV cell, (b) DSSC device incorporating a liquid electrolyte, and (c) an example multilayer, co-evaporated organic small-molecule device.

Tables (4)

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Table 1 Example commercial thin-film silicon PV modules by developer

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Table 2 Example commercial cadmium telluride PV modules by developer

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Table 3 Example commercial copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) PV modules by developer

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Table 4 Example OPV and DSSC PV cells and modules by developer

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