Flexible CdTe Solar Cells by a Low Temperature Process on ITO/ZnO Coated Polymers

Second generation photovoltaics, thin film solar cells, have shown that it is possible to reduce dramatically the cost per Watt compared to crystalline silicon, because of the lower production energy, the in-line fabrication and the low amount of material needed. But another very important advantage of these technologies is that since they are extremely thin devices if deposited on flexible substrates they also become flexible. In this paper we present the study of a deposition process for flexible CdTe devices on ITO/ZnO coated polymers. Optimization of fabrication process and technological aspects of the device are taken into account. Moreover laser scribing tests on the different stacks deposited on the flexible substrates by fiber lasers are presented. The respective issues will be discussed.