The authors have fabricated high-efficiency thin-film CuIn{sub 1-x}Ga(subscript x)Se2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from solution-based electroplated (EP) and auto-plated (AP) precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Compositions were adjusted to CuIn{sub 1-x}Ga(subscript x)Se2 with additional In and Ga by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to the EP and AP precursor films. Auger analysis and grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) were performed on devices prepared from EP and AP precursor films. The authors have also analyzed and compared EP, AP, and an PVD CIGS device by deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS).

The authors have fabricated high-efficiency thin-film CuIn{sub 1-x}GaxSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from solution-based electroplated (EP) and auto-plated (AP) precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Compositions were adjusted to CuIn{sub 1-x}GaxSe2 with additional In and Ga by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to the EP and AP precursor films. Auger analysis and grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) were performed on devices prepared from EP and AP precursor films. The authors have also analyzed and compared EP, AP, and an PVD CIGS device by deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS).

We have fabricated high-efficiency thin-film CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from solution-based electroplated (EP) and auto-plated (AP) precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Compositions were adjusted to CuIn1-xGaxSe2 with additional In and Ga by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to the EP and AP precursor films. Auger analysis and grazing incident X-ray diffraction(GIXRD) were performed on devices prepared from EP and AP precursor films. We have also analyzed and compared EP, AP, and an PVD CIGS device by deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS).

The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conferences are dedicated to accelerating the impetus towards sustainable development of global PV markets. The 16th in the series, held in Glasgow UK, brought together more than 1500 delegates from 72 countries, and provided an important and vital forum for information exchange in the field. The Conference Proceedings place on record a new phase of market development and scientific endeavour in the PV industry, representing current and innovative thinking in all aspects of the science, technology, markets and business of photovoltaics. In three volumes, the Proceedings present some 790 papers selected for presentation by the scientific review committee of the 16th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. The comprehensive range of topics covered comprise: * Fundamentals, Novel Devices and New Materials * Thin Film Cells and Technologies * Space Cells and Systems * Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Technologies * PV Integration in Buildings * PV Modules and Components of PV Systems * Implementation, Strategies, National Programs and Financing Schemes * Market Deployment in Developing Countries These proceedings are an essential reference for all involved in the global PV industry- scientists, researchers, technologists and those with an interest in global market trends. The conference was organised by WIP-Renewable Energies, Munich, Germany.

In recent years, the field of photovoltaics has become increasingly important due to rising energy demand and climate change. While most solar cells are currently composed of crystalline silicon, devices with thinner films of inorganic absorber materials might allow production at a greater scale due to their lower materials cost. In particular, thin films of CuInS2 are promising solar absorber materials due to their high efficiencies and low required thicknesses. However, the fabrication of thin film solar cells currently requires expensive vacuum techniques. As an alternative, solution-based deposition techniques have been proposed as a route to low-cost and high-throughput electronic device fabrication. I have studied how film growth depends on solutuion deposited precursor film quality, with the goal of producing large grained films of CuInS2 through solution processing. In the first approach, we used solvothermal decomposition of organometallic precursors at moderate temperatures to produce nanoparticles of CuInS2. Thin films of these nanoparticles were cast onto molybdenum coated glass and further processed to create CuInS2 solar cells. We found that performance was dependent on film porosity, grain size, and stoichiometry of the nanoparticles. Films with grain sizes of ~200nm were attained, from which 1.3% efficient solar cells were made. In addition, we showed that this synthesis could be extended to produce CuInS2 nanoparticles with partial substitution of Fe, Zn, and Ga. In the second approach, we synthesized an air-stable hybrid organometallic/nanoparticle ink at room temperature in ambient conditions through a vulcanization reaction. This ink could be coated onto substrates in smooth layers, and further reactive annealing formed large grained CuInS2 films. This process was characterized, and a correlation between residual carbon and grain growth was found. Additionally, the chemical transformation between precursor layers and final sulfide thin film was analyzed, with an emphasis on the difference between sulfurization and selenization. We demonstrated that the sulfurization process was producing morphological defects due to its nucleation limited growth mechanism. However, it was modified to more closely resemble the diffusion limited selenization mechanism, thus producing flat films of CuInS2 with grain sizes of ~500nm.