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Flexible, Monolithically Integrated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin-Film Solar Modules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Dirk Herrmann,
Friedrich Kessler,
Ulf Klemm,
Robert Kniese,
Theresa Magorian Friedlmeier,
Stefanie Spiering,
Wolfram Witte and
Michael Powalla
Dirk Herrmann
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Friedrich Kessler
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Ulf Klemm
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Robert Kniese
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Theresa Magorian Friedlmeier
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Stefanie Spiering
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Wolfram Witte
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
Michael Powalla
Affiliation:
Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) Industriestrasse 6, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany
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Abstract

CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se2) thin-film solar modules on glass substrates are currently on the verge of commercialization. Entirely new application areas could be accessed with CIGS modules fabricated on thin and flexible non-glass substrates. Additionally, the roll-to-roll manufacturing of such flexible CIGS modules promises to be a low-cost production method. Different external Na supply methods and a vacuum-deposited buffer were investigated in this contribution, a sample of the challenges we face when modifying the standard, industrial CIGS module production process to the particular requirements of flexible substrates. Both metal foil substrates and polymer films are considered. Our excellent best results of above 14 % for single cells on titanium, more than 11% on polyimide, and around 7 % for modules on both substrates indicate our progress in developing flexible CIGS.

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