Stability of plasmonic metal nanoparticles integrated in the back contact of ultra-thin Cu(In,Ga)S2 solar cells

Abstract

Ultra-thin solar cells on transparent back contacts constitute the basis for highly efficient tandem solar devices which can surpass the single cell efficiency limit. The material reduction related to ultra-thin high efficiency devices additionally lowers the price. Despite the fact that they are ultra- thin the absorbers still have to remain optically thick and therefore require adequate light management. A promising approach for enhanced absorption is plasmonic scattering from metal nanoparticles. In this paper we discuss the experimental incorporation of Ag nanoparticles in ultra-thin wide-gap chalcopyrite solar cells on transparent back contacts. A 6.9% efficient 500 nm Cu(In,Ga)S2 solar cell on In2O3:Mo (at this point without nanoparticles) is the starting point. For the predicted optimum design of including particles at the rear side the stability of the nanostructures integrated in the back contact is investigated in detail. As a first step towards proof-of-concept, absorption enhancement from the nanoparticles included in the complete solar cell is experimentally shown in optical properties.