Cadmium telluride module development

Efficiencies of up to 12.3% have been achieved on small devices. It is expected that 14% efficiency will be exceeded on small devices by improving the fill factors on the present devices in the reasonably near future. Efficiencies in the range 16%–18% are expected to be achieved in the longer term.

Modules of 6 W, approximately 929 cm² in area with an active area efficiency of over 8% (aperture efficiency of 7.3%) have been achieved.

The feasibility of producing 4 ft² modules of CdS/CdTe has been shown and requires further efforts in order to realize the overall potentials.

The structural integrity of the encapsulation design has been studied by thermal cycling and outdoor life testing. Submodules have been life tested for over 270 days with no observable degradation by the SERI Outdoor Reliability and Life Testing Laboratory.

In addition to further optimization of materials and device structure, module output in the future will be increased by an improvement in the uniformity of the deposition process, and by minimizing the loss of active area due to cell division interconnections. Module output is expected to attain 135 W m⁻² in the mid 1990s and over 150 W m⁻² in the long term.