Open AccessUltrashort‐Pulse Laser Structuring of Thin‐Film Solar Modules
Author(s) -
Letsch Andreas,
Ametowobla Mawuli,
Bartl Dominik,
Nolte Stefan,
Peschel Thomas
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
laser technik journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1863-9119
pISSN - 1613-7728
DOI - 10.1002/latj.201300009
Subject(s) - copper indium gallium selenide solar cells , structuring , laser , materials science , photovoltaic system , thin film solar cell , optoelectronics , semiconductor , thin film , computer science , engineering physics , solar cell , mechanical engineering , optics , electrical engineering , nanotechnology , engineering , physics , finance , economics
A thin‐film photovoltaic module is made up of individual solar cells, which are monolithically connected in series via micro scribing. Depending on the semiconductor material used for electric energy production, the connection today can be made by lasers or mechanical tools. Of all thin‐film technologies, it just happens to be CIGS technology with its high potential in terms of efficiency which is nowadays wasting power. This is because two of three structures are scribed with a mechanical tool thus loosing valuable module surface. This article presents first results of a completely laser‐connected CIGS module from the BMBF‐funded joint research program T4nPV as well as fundamental investigations of laser‐based scribing processes.