Flexible amorphous and microcrystalline silicon tandem solar modules in the temporary superstrate concept

van den Donker MN, Gordijn A, Stiebig H, et al. Flexible amorphous and microcrystalline silicon tandem solar modules in the temporary superstrate concept. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 2007;91(7):572-580

Flexible a-Si/muC-Si tandem modules in the Helianthos project

In order to reduce the costs of thin-film silicon solar cell production, a manufacturing concept in which amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells are produced in a roll-to-roll manner on a temporary metal substrate (temporary-superstrate process) has been introduced in the Helianthos Project. Later in the process the device is transferred to a permanent plastic substrate on which cells are monolithically series connected, resulting in PV modules. In the Helianthos pilot line, modules with efficiencies above 7% are obtained on 1-foot-wide foil. On 30times30 cm/sup 2/ modules, initial efficiencies of 5.7% have been reached, while 60 cm/sup 2/ modules cut from the 35 cm wide foil have reached stabilized efficiencies of 5.8%. Lab modules with the deposition of a-Si in a batch process on roll-to-roll deposited SnO/sub 2/, have reached stabilized efficiencies of 6.7%. In order to increase efficiency, amorphous/microcrystalline (a-Si/muc-Si) tandem solar cells have been implemented in the temporary-superstrate process to fabricate flexible, lightweight tandem modules with monolithic series integration. A first module with an aperture area efficiency of 8.6% has been presented earlier. At present, an initial aperture area efficiency of 9.4% has been reached on a 60 cm/sup 2/ modul

Flexible a-Si/μc-Si tandem modules in the helianthos project

In order to reduce the costs of thin-film silicon solar cell production, a manufacturing concept in which amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells are produced in a roll-to-roll manner on a temporary metal substrate (temporary-superstrate process) has been introduced in the Helianthos Project. Later in the process the device is transferred to a permanent plastic substrate on which cells are monolithically series connected, resulting in PV modules. In the Helianthos pilot line, modules with efficiencies above 7% are obtained on 1-foot-wide foil. On 30 × 30 cm2 modules, initial efficiencies of 5.7% have been reached, while 60 cm2 modules cut from the 35 cm wide foil have reached stabilized efficiencies of 5.8%. Lab modules with the deposition of a-Si in a batch process on roll-to-roll deposited SnO2, have reached stabilized efficiencies of 6.7%. In order to increase efficiency, amorphous/microcrystalline (a-Si/μc-Si) tandem solar cells have been implemented in the temporary-superstrate process to fabricate flexible, lightweight tandem modules with monolithic series integration. A first module with an aperture area efficiency of 8.6% has been presented earlier. At present, an initial aperture area efficiency of 9.4% has been reached on a 60 cm 2 module. © 2006 IEEE