Temperature Dependence of Current Density-Voltage Characteristics of CdTe Solar Cells

CdTe solar cells are among the most-studied thin-film solar cells and yet, the efficiency of CdTe solar cells has only reached 22.1%, which is below the theoretical limit. One of the factors limiting the efficiency of the solar cell is the Schottky barrier formed at the back contact. To improve the efficiency of CdTe solar cells, a better understanding of this back contact barrier is needed.

In this research, we show our studies on the temperature dependence of Current Density vs. Voltage (J-V). These characteristics of CdTe solar cells will be observed with different back contacts (Au, Au/Cu and conducting polymer). The corresponding barrier height at the back contact will be obtained from those J-V characteristics using the Tuning-Point technique. The results help us understand how the properties of the back contact affect the barrier height and the efficiency of CdTe solar cells.