Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Thin-Film p-CdTe/n-CdS Solar Cells

Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Thin-Film p-CdTe/n-CdS Solar Cells

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22209/rt.v44n2a07
Keywords: optical absorption, p-CdTe/n-CdS solar cells, X-ray diffraction, efficiency, thin films

Abstract

Venezuela, due to its geographical location, richness in sources and natural resources, has a valuable potential for the use of renewable energies, especially solar. A large part of its territory is characterized by an average insolation above 3 Kwh/m2, considered suitable for photovoltaic generation. CdTe is a well-known II-VI semiconductor, which has established itself as a leader in the photovoltaic industry, has optimal properties for solar cells. This research focused on designing, manufacturing and characterizing p-CdTe/n-CdS solar cells. The design was carried out looking for the simplest and lowest cost model. The manufacturing was carried out in an Ortus-700 equipment, using the thermal evaporation technique. For the characterization of the cells, the techniques of X-ray diffraction, optical absorption and current-voltage characteristic analysis were applied. Evidence of a typical preferential orientation of a cubic structure of Zinc Blenda, direct energy gap values between 2.15 to 2.85 eV and similar performance among prepared solar cells. The manufacture and characterization of nine p-CdTe/n-CdS cells was achieved, through the formation of a p-n junction; with efficiencies of ~ 3 %.

https://doi.org/10.22209/rt.v44n2a07

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Author Biographies

Pedro Grima-Gallardo, Universidad de Los Andes

President of the Astronomy Research Center (CIDA). Retired Professor of the ULA. Rector of the Experimental University of the Western Plains (UNELLEZ) (2014-2016). Doctor in Materials Science from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France. Member of the Scientific Council of the state of Mérida. Member of the Editorial Board of Current Chinese Science (Materials Science), China. Member of the Editorial Board of Senhri Journal of Multi-disciplinary Studies, India. Author of 132 publications in international peer-reviewed and indexed journals

Bernardo Conquet, Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía (CIDA)

Born in Mérida (Venezuela) on 01/09/1980. I study in school Industrial Technician "Manuel Pulido Méndez" from Mérida where I graduated with Middle Technician in Electronics in 1997. He enrolled in the Faculty of Sciences of the ULA where he graduated as Graduated in Physics in 2006. He was a Research Assistant at the Simón Bolívar University (2007-2009) and is currently the Designer of Applied Optics and in charge of the Laboratory of Thin Films and Certification of the National Center for Optical Technologies, dependency of the Astronomy Research Center CIDA.

Elías Rafael Sánchez Verde, Centro Nacional de Tecnologías Ópticas

Graduated from Electronic Engineering at the Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica de la Fuerza Armada UNEFA, Maracay nucleus in 2008. In 2009 he traveled to Mexico to complete a theoretical-practical diploma in Design and Manufacture of Optical Instruments at the National Institute of Optical and Electronic Astrophysics INAOE in Tonantzintla, Puebla. He returned to Venezuela in 2010 and was part of the founding team of the Factory of Instruments and Optical Parts of the Astronomy Research Center, today the National Center for Optical Technologies, working to date in the Engineering and Design area

Miguel A. Contreras-Rangel, Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía (CIDA)

Medium Technician in Production Mechanics. "Manuel A. Pulido Méndez" Industrial Technical School (Mérida). He joined the Faculty of Engineering (ULA) where he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in 2007. He performs some jobs such as CVG Venalum and other companies in the metalworking industry. Later, in 2009 he entered the "Francisco J. Duarte" Astronomy Research Center as one of the authors of the project Factory of instruments and optical parts where he received training in companies and technology in the city of Minsk (Belarus 2011-2012) he continued training through courses in the area of wave physics, optics, and electron microscopy at the ULA Faculty of Sciences. He performs work as a mechanical design and manufacturing engineer in the area of Engineering and design within CIDA (2012-2016), he also performs work on characterization of hard coating materials and applications to industries. Training in the field of design and manufacturing through CAD-CAM technologies. Head of the materials physics department of the CIDA Astronomy Research Center. Industrial tutor of several degree theses at the School of Mechanical Engineering. PEII level A. Organizer and speaker of colloquia and courses related to the area of optics, design and mechanical manufacturing.

Luis Nieves, Universidad de los Andes

Retired Professor of the ULA. Degree in Physical Science of Materials from the Universidad de los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. Author and co-author of 58 publications in international peer-reviewed and indexed journals

Ana del Valle Velasquez-Velasquez, Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía (CIDA)

Graduated in Physics at the Faculty of Sciences (ULA) (Venezuela), then a master's degree course, in the postgraduate degree in Condensed Matter Physics, with a specialty in Semiconductors, also at the ULA, he also obtained a PhD in that same postgraduate degree in the specialty of Quantum Optics, He has a full term tuition in the doctoral program of the Postgraduate Program in Science Teaching at the University of Lo Andes and is currently pursuing open studies, leading to the title of Doctor in Critical Pedagogy in the Learning Community in Teaching of Basic Sciences, of the Territorial Polytechnic University of Mérida (UPTMKR) (Venezuela). He has also carried out apprenticeships, short and postdoctoral courses at the ICTP (Italy) and the University of Nueva Gorica (Slovenia). Author of several research articles in the area of semiconductors, optics and biotechnology. Products of his work as a member of research groups at the Semiconductor Center of the Faculty of Sciences (ULA), at IVIC-Mérida, where he served as head of the Applied Optics Laboratory and as head of the IVIC-Mérida Deconcentrated Unit, Interdisciplinary Science Center. He is currently working as a Researcher at the National Center for Optical Technologies (CNTO-CIDA)

William Jose González-Escalona, Centro de Estudios en Semiconductores (CES)

Born in Caracas (Venezuela) on 06/08/1972. Bachelor of Science in Educational Unit "Rómulo Betancourt" Mérida - Venezuela. Undergraduate Studies Basic Cycle Faculty of Sciences School of Physics, Universidad de los Andes Mérida - Venezuela. Undergraduate Studies Professional Cycle Faculty of Engineering School of Electricity, Universidad de los Andes Mérida - Venezuela, where he graduated as an Electrical Engineer in 2004. He was a Professor at the University of Los Llanos Occidental "Ezequiel Zamora" (2005-2007). He was Professor at the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces - Barinas (2008-2009). He was a Professor at the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces - Mérida (2010-2011). At the beginning of 2010 he worked as an Electrical Engineer in the technical and cost review of the different projects of Photovoltaic Energy Systems in the Government of the State of Barinas. From the end of 2010 to the present he has been an Electrical Engineer for Corporación Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. He is currently completing a Master's Degree in Physics of Condensed Matter, he is doing thesis under the tutorship of Dr. Pedro Grima

Luis Alfonso Ruiz Echenagucia, Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía (CIDA)

Born in Maracay (Venezuela) on 11/24/1981. He studied at the Industrial Technical School of Maracay. He enrolled at UNEFA where he graduated as an Electronics Engineer in 2004, the same year he joined as a teacher at UNEFA in the telecommunications department. In 2008 he traveled to Minsk (Belarus) where he did master's and doctorate studies in technical sciences (2009-2014) at the Belarusian State University of Radioelectronics and Informatics (BSUIR). Until February 2020 he held the position of academic director of the CIDA Astronomy Research Center. Author of about a dozen publications in the area of telecommunications and electronics in international peer-reviewed and indexed journals.

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Published
2021-05-01
How to Cite
Grima-Gallardo, P., Conquet, B., Sánchez Verde, E. R., Contreras-Rangel, M. A., Nieves, L., Velasquez-Velasquez, A. del V., González-Escalona, W. J. and Ruiz Echenagucia, L. A. (2021) “Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Thin-Film p-CdTe/n-CdS Solar Cells: Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Thin-Film p-CdTe/n-CdS Solar Cells”, Rev. Téc. Fac. Ing. Univ. Zulia, 44(2), pp. 127-136. doi: 10.22209/rt.v44n2a07.
Issue
Vol. 44 No. 2 (2021)
Section
Artículos de Investigación

Copyright (c) 2021 Pedro Grima-Gallardo, Bernardo Conquet, Elías Rafael Sánchez Verde, Miguel A. Contreras-Rangel, Luis Nieves, Ana del Valle Velasquez-Velasquez, William Jose González-Escalona

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