Characterization of Electrochemically Prepared CIS Thin Films

As the energy demand in the world increases, more and more extensive research is undertaken concerning renewable energy sources. Several researches are on-going to develop efficient photovoltaic devices which are used to convert solar energy directly to electricity. New generation thin film solar cells are rapidly replacing the traditional Si solar cells because less material is needed and they can be produced at a lower cost. Among the thin film solar cell materials, CIS has attracted research due to its high potential, having a direct band-gap within the maximum solar absorption region, a high absorption coefficient and appropriate electrical and optical properties for production, as has been demonstrated by the ~20% conversion efficiency. The working mechanism of the CIS devices is not well understood and the causes of defects in the electrical structure are not well known. The subject of this study is to investigate and evaluate the CIS solar cells prepared by electro-deposition and to determine the conditions at which the cells work more efficiently.