Solar Cells, 2nd Edition

Chapter IC-2

CdTe Thin-Film PV Modules

Dieter Bonnet

CTF Solar GmbH, Friedrichsdorf, Germany

Chapter Outline

1. Introduction

2. Steps for Making Thin-Film CdTe Solar Cells

2.1. Film Deposition

2.1.1. CdTe

2.1.2. CdS

2.1.3. TCO Films

2.1.4. Substrates

2.2. Improvement of Critical Regions of the CdTe Solar Cell

2.2.1. The p–n Heterojunction—Improvement by Activation

2.2.2. The Back Contact

2.3. Stability Issues

2.4. Best Performance of Cells

3. Making of Integrated Modules

3.1. Interconnection of Cells

3.2. Contacting

3.3. Lamination

4. Production of CdTe Thin-Film Modules

4.1. Generalised Production Sequence

4.2. Industrial Production of Modules

4.2.1. BP Solar Inc. (Fairfield, California, USA)

4.2.2. First Solar LLC (Toledo, Ohio, USA)

4.2.3. ANTEC ...