Printable Solar Cells

book chapter

English

Printable photovoltaic modules, along with other printed electronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes, thin film transistors, capacitors, coils, resistors, etc., are a low-cost alternative to the conventionally deposited devices. Due to its fabrication simplicity and the feasibility of using large-area flexible substrates, printable solar cell (PSC) is a prospective candidate in many application fields. Furthermore, light-absorbing layer of PSC is usually several orders of magnitude thinner than widely used conventional Si solar cells; thus production of PCS requires much less material, and in the case of printing deposition there is very little waste of material in comparison to other deposition methods. The possibility of using flexible large scale substrates opens the door to multiple advanced application opportunities such as smart textiles, photovoltaic window shades, etc. This chapter addresses a topic regarding key aspects of development, fabrication, and application with respect to PSC, mostly CIGS, perovskite and organic solar cells. First off, working principles, applicability of PSC, their merits and demerits, and future application possibilities are considered. Additionally, the chapter contains a description of a variety of different coating and printing technologies.

Printable solar cells, thin film technology, printed electronics, printing, coating, CIGS, perovskite solar cells, organic electronics

Alexander Kovalenko, Michal Hrabal

30. 3. 2017

9781119283713

Advances in Solar Cell Materials and Storage

Scrivener Publishing

163

202

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