Progress Toward Improved Device Performance in Large-Area Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Film Solar Cells

In this contribution, we report on the current conversion efficiency status for Cu(In,Ga)Se
₂
(CIGS) solar cells made on soda lime glass (SLG) and flexible metallic (FM) substrates at DayStar Technologies, Inc. (DSTI). Using our research and development (R&D) line, we report the following cell results: (1) a 16.9% small-area (~1.1 cm
²
) CIGS cell on SLG using DSTI Gen I process; (2) a 15.7% small area (~1.1 cm
²
) CIGS cell on FM substrate using Gen I process; (3) a 15.2% small area (~1.1 cm
²
) CIGS cell on FM substrate using a rapid activation process; and (4) a 13.5% large area (~14 cm
²
) CIGS cell on FM substrate using our rapid activation process. Using our Gen II production process, we have made a 13.0% small-area (1.1 cm
²
) CIGS cell on FM substrate. All the cells have anti-reflection coating. In this contribution, we present material and device characterization for these cells