Presentation Details
| Colored Al2O3 microhole array back contact architecture for CdTe solar cells Etee Kawna Roy, Heayoung Yoon. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate rear-side coloration in CdTe solar cells using micropatterned thick Al₂O₃ combined with an ITO transparent conductive layer. This back contact architecture enables a passivated Al₂O₃/CdTe interface while simultaneously introducing tunable backside color. Al₂O₃ films with thicknesses from 200 nm to 290 nm were deposited on CdTe solar cells. A transparent 3 nm Au/150 nm ITO back contact enables carrier collection, while variation in Al₂O₃ thickness tunes the reflected wavelength, producing yellow to green coloration in agreement with optical simulations. Devices with 5 μm microholes and spacings below 16 μm retained performance comparable to a CdTe control, whereas larger spacings reduced fill factor because of hindered hole extraction. This approach provides electrically functional, color-tunable back contacts with potential for bifacial BIPV applications.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.