CuSbS2 Solar Cell Light Absorption Layer Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high material and equipment costs associated with manufacturing CIGS thin film solar cells, particularly due to the use of toxic hydrogen selenide in the selenization process and the high melting point of CIGS, which complicates grain growth and densification, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell with a light absorption layer comprising a binary system of Ib group and VIa group elements, using a nano particle slurry with a solvent, binder, and solution precursor, including a Va group element, which allows for a heat treatment process that replaces hydrogen selenide with sulfur powder, enabling lower costs and improved density without amorphous short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If CIGS thin film is used for light absorption layer, then photovoltaic conversion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to toxic hydrogen selenide equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the toxic hydrogen selenide from the manufacturing process by using alternative materials (sulfur, selenium powders) and methods (low-temperature heat treatment at 300-500°C) that achieve similar or better photovoltaic conversion efficiency without requiring expensive safety equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature processes to low-temperature heat treatment (300-500°C), which enables the use of alternative materials and eliminates the need for toxic hydrogen selenide while maintaining or improving conversion efficiency
2Loss of energy
If CIGS thin film is used for light absorption layer, then photovoltaic conversion efficiency is improved, but equipment cost increases due to safety requirements for toxic hydrogen selenide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the toxic hydrogen selenide from the process, thereby eliminating the need for complex safety equipment such as gas detection systems, ventilation systems, and specialized handling equipment, while maintaining photovoltaic conversion efficiency through alternative material approaches
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperature heat treatment is used for CIGS, then grain growth and densification are improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to long processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to low-temperature range (300-500°C) and adjusts the time parameter to achieve grain growth and densification within 1-10 minutes, eliminating the need for prolonged high-temperature processing while maintaining manufacturing precision
4Manufacturing precision
If CIGS compound nano particles are used, then material density is improved, but amorphous growth causes short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter (300-500°C) and time parameter (1-10 minutes) of the heat treatment process to promote crystalline grain growth while suppressing amorphous formation, thereby achieving high material density without short-circuiting and improving device reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces manufacturing costs, enhances the density of the thin film solar cell, and allows for safer processing, with the CuSbS2 compound offering a larger band gap suitable for tandem solar cells, achieving a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of about 2.5%.
Implementation Method 1
manufacturing a binary system nano particle slurry of the Ib group element-VIa group element by adding a solvent, binder and a solution precursor including Va group element to the Ib group element-VIa group element binary system nano particle
Implementation Method 2
performing a heat treatment process on the coated nano particle slurry by supplying the VIa group element
Implementation Method 3
A solar cell and a power generation system are a technology for directly converting solar energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a light absorption layer of a thin film solar cell in in a method for manufacturing a solar cell transparent electrode may be provided that includes: manufacturing a Ib group element-VIa group element binary system nano particle (s100); manufacturing a binary system nano particle slurry of the Ib group element-VIa group element by adding a solvent, binder and a solution precursor including Va group element to the Ib group element-VIa group element binary system nano particle (s200); distributing and mixing the binary system nano particle slurry of the Ib group element-VIa group element (s300); coating the binary system nano particle slurry of the Ib group element-VIa group element on the rear electrode layer 200 (s400); and performing a heat treatment process on the coated nano particle slurry by supplying the VIa group element (s500).