• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.675-675
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• 2013

CIGS thin films have received a great attention as a promising material for solar cells due to their high absorption coefficient, appropriate bandgap, long-term stability, and low cost production. CIGS thin films have been deposited by various methods such as co-evaporation, sputtering, spray pyrolysis and electro-deposition. In this study, Cu(In,Ga)Se2(CIGS) thin films were prepared using a single quaternary target by rf magnetron sputtering. The effect of sulfurization on the structural, compositional and electrical properties of the films was examined in order to develop the deposition process. An optimal sulfurization process will be selected for the preparation of CIGS thin films with good structural, optical and electrical properties by applying various sulfurization processes. In addition, the electrical properties of CIGS thin films were investigated by post-deposition annealing process. The carrier concentration of CIG(SSe) thin films after sulfurization was increased from $10^{14}cm^{-3}$ to $10^{16}cm^{-3}$ and the resistivity was increased from 10 ${\Omega}cm$ to $10^3$ ${\Omega}cm$. It is confirmed that CIG(SSe) thin films prepared at optimal deposition condition have similar atomic ratio to the target value after sulfurization.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.314.2-314.2
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• 2013

CIGS 박막의 물성은 조성에 크게 영향을 받으며, 특히 박막 내 Cu/(In+Ga) 비는 매우 중요한 변수로서 태양전지 특성에 영향을 주게 된다. Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 박막의 전하농도 및 반도체로의 성격을 가장 명확하게 결정하는 조성비는 Cu/(In+Ga) 비이다. 태양전지와 같은 소자로 작용하기 위해서는 Cu/(In+Ga) 비가 1보다 작아야 한다. 고효율의 태양전지는 Cu/(In+Ga)조성이 0.85~0.95로 slightly Cu-poor가 되어야 만들어진다. 본 연구에서는 Cu조성에 따른 CIGS 박막의 구조적, 전기적 특성과 CIGS 태양전지 효율 특성에 관하여 연구하였다. 미세구조 분석결과 Cu 조성이 증가함에 따라 큰 결정립을 가지며 결정립의 성장이 고르게 되어 접합 형성을 좋게 하는 경향을 보였다. X선 회절 분석결과, Cu 함유량 비율이 증가하면서 <112>의 우선배향성에서 <220/204>으로 변화하였다. 그러나, Cu/(In+Ga) 비율이 1이상이 첨가됨에 따라 우선배향은 다시 <112>로 변화함을 알 수 있었다. EDX 분석결과 Ga/(In+Ga) 0.31, Cu/(In+Ga) 0.86의 비율일 때, Carrier density $1.49{\times}1016$ cm-3을 나타내었다. CIGS의 태양전지의 효율 측정결과 Voc=596mV, Jsc=37.84mA/cm2, FF=72.96%로 ${\eta}$=16.47%를 달성하였다.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-39
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• 2022

In this study, the first law of thermodynamics was used to establish a one-dimensional (1-D) thermal model for parabolic trough receiver (PTR) taking into account the pressure drop and kinetic energy loss effects of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) flowing inside the absorber tube. The validation of the thermal model with data from the SEGS-LS2 solar collector-test showed a good agreement, which is consistent with the previously established models for the conventional straight and smooth (CSS) receiver where the effects of pressure drop and kinetic energy loss were neglected. Based on the developed model and code, a comparative study of the newly designed parabolic trough S-curved receiver versus the CSS receiver was conducted and solar unit's performances were analyzed. Without any supplementary devices, the S-curved receiver enhances the performance of the parabolic trough module, with a maximum of 0.16% compared to CSS receiver with the same sizes and mass flow rates. Thermal losses were reduced by 7% due to the decrease in the temperature of the outer surface of the receiver tube. In addition, it has been shown that from a mass flow rate of 9.5 kg/s the heat losses of the S-curved receiver remain unchanged despite the improvement in the heat transfer rate.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2018

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the conical solar concentrator (CSC) system, whose design is focused on increasing its collecting efficiency by determining the optimal conical angle through a theoretical study. Methods: The design and thermal performance analysis of a solar concentrator system based on a $45^{\circ}$ conical concentrator were conducted utilizing different mass flow rates. For an accurate comparison of these flow rates, three equivalent systems were tested under the same operating conditions, such as the incident direct solar radiation, and ambient and inlet temperatures. In order to minimize heat loss, the optimal double tube absorber length was selected by considering the law of reflection. A series of experiments utilizing water as operating fluid and two-axis solar tracking systems were performed under a clear or cloudless sky. Results: The analysis results of the CSC system according to varying mass flow rates showed that the collecting efficiency tended to increase as the flow rate increased. However, the collecting efficiency decreased as the flow rate increased beyond the optimal value. In order to optimize the collecting efficiency, the conical angle, which is a design factor of CSC, was selected to be $45^{\circ}$ because its use theoretically yielded a low heat loss. The collecting efficiency was observed to be lowest at 0.03 kg/s and highest at 0.06 kg/s. All efficiencies were reduced over time because of variations in ambient and inlet temperatures throughout the day. The maximum efficiency calculated at an optimum flow rate of 0.06 kg/s was 85%, which is higher than those of the other flow rates. Conclusions: It was reasonable to set the conical angle and mass flow rate to achieve the maximum CSC system efficiency in this study at $45^{\circ}$ and 0.06 kg/s, respectively.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2014

High-efficiency in $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) solar cells were usually achieved on soda-lime glass substrates due to Na incorporation that reduces deep-level defects. However, this supply of sodium from sodalime glass to CIGS through Mo back electrode could be limited at low deposition temperature. Na content could be more precisely controlled by supplying Na from known amount of an outside source. For the purpose, an $Na_2S$ layer was deposited on Mo electrode prior to CIGS film deposition and supplied to CIGS during CIGS film. With the $Na_2S$ underlayer a more uniform component distribution was possible at $350^{\circ}C$ and efficiency was improved compared to the cell without $Na_2S$ layer. With more precise control of bulk and surface component profile, CIGS film can be deposited at low temperature and could be useful for flexible CIGS solar cells.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 2016

We analyzed the interface characteristics of Zn-based thin-film buffer layers formed by a sulfur thermal cracker on a $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) light-absorber layer. The analyzed Zn-based thin-film buffer layers are processed by a proposed method comprising two processes - Zn-sputtering and cracker-sulfurization. The processed buffer layers are then suitable to be used in the fabrication of highly efficient CIGS solar cells. Among the various Zn-based film thicknesses, an 8 nm-thick Zn-based film shows the highest power conversion efficiency for a solar cell. The band alignment of the buffer/CIGS was investigated by measuring the band-gap energies and valence band levels across the depth direction. The conduction band difference between the near surface and interface in the buffer layer enables an efficient electron transport across the junction. We found the origin of the energy band structure by observing the chemical states. The fabricated buffer/CIGS layers have a structurally and chemically distinct interface with little elemental inter-diffusion.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 1984

In the present work, a computer simulation is performed employing Hottel-Whillier-Bliss model for thermal performance of solar collectors. The major collector parameters examined in the computer simulation are: number of transparent glass covers(N), thermal emissivity of the absorbing plate surface (.epsilon.$_{P}$), absorptivity of absorber plate (.alpha.$_{p}$), flow rate per unit area of collector (G), $L_{b}$ / $k_{b}$ of insulation material, tilt angle of collector (S), and solar insolation(I). By varying numerical values of the major collector parameters around their typical values, the corresponding variations in thermal efficiency curves are examined. In addition, an experimental investigation has been carried out with a slightly modified KAIST collector test loop under a real sun condition in order to compare with the simulation results, examine the applicability of the mathematical model of the collector thermal performance, and study the effect of variation of flow rate (G) on thermal efficiency and the range of optimum flow rate.e.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1985-1988
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• 2014

$Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ (CZTSe) thin films were synthesized on transparent conducting oxide glass substrates via a simple, non-toxic, and low-cost process using a precursor solution paste. A three-step heating process (oxidation, sulfurization, and selenization) was employed to synthesize a CZTSe thin film as an absorber layer for use in thin-film solar cells. In particular, we focused on the effects of sulfurization conditions on CZTSe film formation. We found that sulfurization at $400^{\circ}C$ involves the formation of secondary phases such as $CuSe_2$ and $Cu_2SnSe_3$, but they gradually disappeared when the temperature was increased. The formed CZTSe thin films showed homogenous and good crystallinity with grain sizes of approximately 600 nm. A solar cell device was tentatively fabricated and showed a power conversion efficiency of 2.2% on an active area of 0.44 $cm^2$ with an open circuit voltage of 365 mV, a short current density of 20.6 $mA/cm^2$, and a fill factor of 28.7%.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2013

$Cu_2ZnSnS_4$ thin film have been fabricated by rapid thermal annealing of dc-sputtered metal precursor with Cu/ZnSn/Cu stack in sulfur ambient. A CZTS film with a good uniformity was formed at $560^{\circ}C$ in 6 min. $Cu_2SnS_3$ and $Cu_3SnS_4$ secondary phases were present at $540^{\circ}C$ and a trace amount of $Cu_2SnS_3$ secondary phase was present at $560^{\circ}C$. Single-phase large-grained CZTS film with rough surface was formed at $560^{\circ}C$. Solar cell with best efficiency of 4.7% ($V_{oc}=632mV$, $j_{sc}=15.8mA/cm^2$, FF = 47.13%) for an area of $0.44cm^2$ was obtained for the CZTS absorber grown at $560^{\circ}C$ for 6 min. The existence of second phase at lower-temperature annealing and rough surface at higher-temperature annealing caused the degradation of cell performance. Also poor back contact by void formation deteriorated cell performance. The fill factor was below 0.5; it should be increased by minimizing voids at the CZTS/Mo interface. Our results suggest that CZTS absorbers can be grown by rapid thermal annealing of metallic precursors in sulfur ambient for short process times ranging in minutes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.389-389
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• 2012

Molybdenum is one of the most important materials used as a back ohmic contact for $Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)_2$ (CIGS) solar cells because it has good electrical properties as an inert and mechanically durable substrate during the absorber film growth. Sputter deposition is the common deposition process for Mo thin films. Molybdenum thin films were deposited on soda lime glass (SLG) substrates using direct-current planar magnetron sputtering technique. The outdiffusion of Na from the SLG through the Mo film to the CIGS based solar cell, also plays an important role in enhancing the device electrical properties and its performance. The structure, surface morphology and electrical characteristics of Mo thin films are generally dependent on deposition parameters such as DC power, pressure, distance between target and substrate, and deposition temperature. The aim of the present study is to show the resistivity of Mo layers, their crystallinity and morphologies, which are influenced by the substrate temperature. The thickness of Mo films is measured by Tencor-P1 profiler. The crystal structures are analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD: X'Pert MPD PRO / Philips). The resistivity of Mo thin films was measured by Hall effect measurement system (HMS-3000/0.55T). The surface morphology and grain shape of the films were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM: Hitachi S-4300). The chemical composition of the films was obtained by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Finally the optimum substrate temperature as well as deposition conditions for Mo thin films will be developed.