Silver-Based Transparent Conductive Coatings on Glass for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications.

Yiwei Lu, Willem den Boer

Transparent conductive coatings (TCC) on glass are a key element in thin film solar cell fabrication not only for performance but also for cost. Low resistance, high transparency, compatibility to solar cell processes and low cost are key characteristics. Different from conventional metal oxides, such as SnOx:F, a multi-layer Silver-based transparent conductive coating has been developed and manufactured using an architectural large area inline coater. This Ag-based TCC has a thickness of no more than 200nm and a sheet resistance equal to or less than 10 ohm/sq. Due to the interference of the multi-layered coating, both transmission of light with wavelengths suitable for photovoltaic carrier generation and reflection of undesired thermal energy, such as infra-red, are enhanced. As a result, solar cell current is augmented through increased light intensity in the selected wavelength region and decreased module temperature. This Ag-based TCC paves the way toward reduced $/kW on thin film solar cells through improved optical and electrical properties and reduced physical thickness. CdTe solar cells having Jsc higher than 19 mA/cm^2 and efficiency higher than 11% were achieved using this transparent conductive glass. Studies on other solar cells such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film solar cells fabricated on this Ag-based TCC will also be discussed.

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