15.3% efficient graded bandgap solar cells fabricated using electroplated CdS and CdTe thin films

Making use of previously designed and experimentally tested results of graded bandgap devices, and the comprehensive electrodeposition of semiconducting materials knowledge, a three layer n-n-p device structure was fabricated and tested for their electronic properties and solar cell performance. Glass/FTO/n-CdS/n-CdTe/p-CdTe/Au devices were fabricated and studied as a first step towards development of graded bandgap devices using electroplated materials. Efficiencies up to 15.3% were observed for lab-scale small devices. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.