Realization and characterization of Micro-concentrator solar Devices

Dr. Karsten Bittkau introduces CHEETAH Project and the webinar

Micro-concentrator thin film solar cells are being developed with the aim to use less material more efficiently in order to reduce the cost of PV electricity. However, the fundamental properties of absorbers limit the usage of certain absorbers in micro-cells applications. This talk is dedicated to conventional and novel optoelectronic characterization methods that can be useful for the studies of micro-concentrator thin film solar cells and related materials. Parameters crucial for efficient micro-concentrator solar cells will be explained. Special attention is paid to evaluation of different type of recombinational losses. From the characterization methods, the possibilities of luminescence, Raman and capacitance spectroscopy techniques, SEM based techniques, different current-voltage characterization methods etc. will be described.

In the webinar, focus is on chalcopyrite and kesterite material based micro-cells, although the methods are applicable also for other materials. The webinar should improve the development of micro-concentrator thin film solar cells through more efficient use of various characterization methods.

Microconcentrators could further boost efficiency of thin-film solar cells giving rise to a possible new route in the solar photovoltaic applications. Solar microstructures  deposited in focalizzed areas by using thin-film microcells and proven to be possible. The next step  imposes the development of   up-scalable fabrication processes  for the  concentrating optics that could take advantage of the miniaturization of the cells. This webinar will propose  the manufacturing  of polymeric  Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microlenses realized  by  inkjet as a  new route for low cost production of microconcentrators,