This report focuses on the successes and challenges faced when achieving higher cell efficiencies and utilising the CZTSSe compound for thin film solar PV. The project has successfully achieved a world record in CZTSSe cell efficiencies and identified the challenges and costs in scaling and commercialisation.
Report extract
The technical challenges that the project seeks to address are relatively specific to CZTSSe solar cell technology. However, the achievement and lessons learnt can be applied to other projects which involve other chalcogenide thin film technology, especially the high bandgap chalcogenide solar cells that can be used as the top cells for Silicon based tandem cells. Tandem solar cells are currently widely studied as they are the pathway to cost reduction through higher efficiencies.
Knowledge sharing within UNSW is through regular meetings and seminars, as well as internally produced documents that detail specific processes. We have a fortnightly kesterite meeting as well where all researchers present and discuss their results. We also have regular seminars which go into more detail about specific research topics. All group members regularly attend international and domestic conferences, visit research institutions and give talks at a variety of fora to both specialist and lay audiences to promote our research achievements. Conference and journal publications as well as patents have been published by the research team relating to the innovations developed over the course of this project. In addition, significant results like breaking word record efficiency also feature in media releases.
