Effect of rear-surface buffer layer on performance of lift-off Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells

The effect of an Au and MoO_x rear-surface buffer layer inserted between Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) and ZnO:Al on solar cell performances was examined. The lift-off CIGS solar cell without a rear-surface buffer layer showed particular characteristics of two series-connected diodes in the reverse direction, and its short-circuit current density was almost zero. In contrast, the Au or MoO_x rear-surface buffer layer improved these characteristics. Although the lift-off CIGS solar cell with the Au rear-surface buffer layer showed shunt characteristics and low efficiency, the efficiency of the lift-off CIGS solar cell with the MoO_x rear-surface buffer layer was approximately 50% of that of substrate-type CIGS solar cells. Diode parameters of lift-off CIGS solar cells were determined by fitting analysis of current density-voltage curves using a proposed new equivalent circuit model for lift-off CIGS solar cells.