Thin film CdS/CdTe solar cells prepared by electrodeposition using low cost materials

Abstract

This article describes the elaboration process of thin films for CdS/CdTe solar cells using low cost materials and a very simple process. The device structure (SnO/sub 2/:F/CdS/CdTe/Cu/Au) is deposited on coverglass substrates. The crystal structure of the films were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology and microstructure of both films were subsequently characterized using a conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an atomic force microscopy (AFM). An enlargement of the grain size structure is observed after the thermal annealing. Finally, the solar cells prepared using this process exhibited a short circuit current density of J/sub sc/=18 mA/cm/sup 2/, open circuit voltage of V/sub oc/=600 mV and efficiencies above 5% under AM 1 simulated solar illumination.