Stability, reliability, upscaling and possible technological applications of kesterite solar cells

Abstract

We review the stability and reliability results of kesterite (Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 , CZTSSe)-based solar cells and we complete the reviewed data with additional as yet unpublished data on these matters. We also review published and new data on upscaling and the possible technological applications for this material. Kesterite material is composed of mainly earth-abundant elements and is therefore very attractive for large-scale applications. Stability data are so far quite scarce and the main results are the accelerated aging tests carried out for CZTSSe monograin technology, as well as yet unpublished data on long indoor and outdoor irradiance tests carried out on thin-film CZTSSe technology deposited by a wet processing method. On upscaling and technological applications we point out the works on three main large-scale photovoltaic technologies (monograin, in-line vacuum thin film, and wet-deposited thin film), as well as some work on water-splitting applications. Stability and reliability of kesterite solar cellsDespite many years of research on kesterite solar cells, until today only a few publications have reported stability data on this type of cells because most papers so far have concentrated on improving the conversion efficiency of the devices. Several stability tests can be carried out on photovoltaic cells and modules. First are

Vapor-Phase Incorporation of Ge in CZTSe Absorbers for Improved Stability of High-Efficiency Kesterite Solar Cells

“…In addition to the IV and EQE measurements of freshly fabricated devices, a time-stability analysis was performed using an accelerated-aging procedure. A total of 12 CZTSe solar cells and 12 CZTGSe solar cells with Ge/(Ge + Sn) ≈ 0.30 ± 0.02 were kept in a controlled climate chamber at 85 • C for a total duration of 1000 h. Since the devices were not encapsulated, the relative humidity RH was maintained at 20% [31]. To rule out the mechanical stress by repeated sample measurements and to obtain more reliable data on the influence of handling, the best, the worst and one intermediate cell per sample was only measured initially and after the completion of the entire aging duration of 1000 h. These were found not to differ from the presented values and are also included in the corresponding boxplots at 0 h and 1000 h. The evolution of the sample efficiencies is summarized in Figure 6.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Thin-Film Solar Cells with Ag/C60/MAPbI3/CZTSe/Mo/FTO Multilayered Structures

“…It has been noted that the photovoltaic stability is very important for the practical application of solar cells [25,41]. Long-term operation stability tests can be further carried out on solar cells and modules.…”

Environment-friendly copper-based chalcogenide thin film solar cells: status and perspectives

“…The CIS, CIGS, and CZTS are chemically stable under harsh conditions such as heat and humidity for the photoactive materials. 295 However, in particular, there is no report yet on the long-term stability of CZTS cells in the literature under outdoor or indoor tests. This may raise some speculations if the CZTS cells are still not ready for commercialization, featuring their low PCE.…”

“…This may raise some speculations if the CZTS cells are still not ready for commercialization, featuring their low PCE. 295 On the other hand, the CIS and CIGS cells have passed several accelerated industrial stability tests (following International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 61215)) such as damp-heat stress, illumination, high bias voltage tests, etc. These ICE tests still become a major issue for other thin-film PV technologies, such as metal-halide perovskites and organic solar cells.…”