Thin film cells test results

In the next paper by Y. Illin et al., capabilities of Sn anodes are considered as a possible alternative to carbon. Thin films of Sn were deposited onto current collector in vacuum, and tested in the coin cells. Authors were able to obtain reversible alloying reaction, which stabilized at 100 mAh/g between cycle number 100 and 400. The stability of Sn and its characteristics upon cycling was seen to be a function of the current collector material. The best results were achieved with non-copper-based substrates. 

Figure I. Results of an 8-month outdoors test of PEC containing a 0.8-cm2 thin film, painted CdSe photoelectrode (not photoetched), CoS counterelectrode, and 7M KOH, 2M S, 7M S, ImM Se solution. (OCV) open-circuit voltage (SCC) short-circuit current (EFF) solar conversion efficiency ( AMI.5). Between measurements the cell operated on maximum power (68 fi load). No appreciable change in fill-factor occurred during the test.

Reliable stability data of the p-i-n solar cell itself are not easily obtained, especially for non-encapsulated cells or modules. One of these tests e.g. for EN/IEC 61646 certification of modules is the so-called damp-heat test (85°C, 85% humidity, up to lOOOh). Recent studies were performed by Stiebig et al. [50, 51] exposing different types of cells to harsh conditions. One of the most important results was the excellent stability of silicon thin film solar cells. Remarkably, this is also valid for small area modules even without encapsulation [52]. This is of high interest because costs and efforts for module encapsulation strongly depend on the inherent stability of the solar cells. As a more detailed treatment of this subject is beyond the scope of this chapter, the reader is referred to the original papers [50,51]. 

For the heterojunction system CdS-Cu S conversion efficiencies as high as 9 % have been demonstrated, a practical method of fabrication technology has been established and operational tests have been performed /3,4/. The results and experience obtained prove the CdS-Cu S thin film solar cell as an alternative to crystalline cells such as Si. The basic structure of the CdS-Cu S thin film solar cell is illustrated in figure 2. 

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