Recently, the Compound Thin Film Solar Cell Research Group at the Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has achieved significant progress in CdTe polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. The team successfully developed a CdTe thin film with a thickness of just 2 micrometers on standard, low-cost glass. This material has passed the photovoltaic testing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the quality inspection from the wind power system certification center. The conversion efficiency reached 14.4%, an improvement from the previously reported 12.68% in 2012, marking a key breakthrough in CdTe thin-film solar cell research in China.
CdTe is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap of approximately 1.45 eV at room temperature, which closely matches the solar spectrum. Its absorption coefficient exceeds 10â´/cm, meaning that less than 1 micrometer of CdTe can absorb over 99% of visible light with wavelengths below 826 nm. Compared to traditional silicon solar cells, CdTe thin films are only about 1/100th as thick, leading to a shorter production cycle and lower costs. These advantages make CdTe-based thin-film solar cells highly attractive for large-scale manufacturing, offering high efficiency, low cost, and excellent stability.
In February of this year, First Solar achieved a record 20.4% efficiency in small-area CdTe solar cells using a high-temperature vapor transport method, matching the performance of polycrystalline silicon cells. By March, the module's total area efficiency reached 17.0%. The production cost was also reduced to $0.55/Wp, making it the most cost-effective solar technology available. However, the scale production process remains dominated by a few U.S. companies. Meanwhile, the University of Toledo in the U.S. holds the record for the highest efficiency of CdTe thin-film solar cells made using low-temperature magnetron sputtering, at 14.5%.
This time, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' team achieved a 14.4% conversion efficiency without using a high-resistance layer, utilizing domestic equipment and materials. This achievement proves that, with focused R&D in device fabrication technology, China can reach the same level as international leaders. This research lays a solid foundation for the development and industrialization of CdTe thin-film solar cells in China, paving the way for future advancements in the field.
The project has received strong support from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ 100-Talents Program and the Institute’s internal research funds, highlighting its importance and potential impact on the national energy sector.
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