Optimized Laser Scribing of CIGS Processes in Substrate Configuration

Abstract

The thin film (TF) solar market is challenged to produce solar modules with higher energy conversion efficiency while at the same time reducing the manufacturing cost. One way to improve the energy efficiency is to move to higher performance systems like Cadmiumtellurid (CdTe) or Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS) in comparison to TF Silicon (Si) based technologies. As today’s a-Si and CdTe structuring technology for module development is based on laser scribing, the technology for CIGS modules is mostly dominated by mechanical scribing. As inexpensive as the mechanical scribing technology seems, it has its drawbacks when it comes to high precision scribing of TF materials and, subsequently, the reliability in the manufacturing process. Bringing together a high speed, high accuracy motion system with ultra short pulse laser sources opens up new ways CIGS solar cell production can be perceived. We present with this work an in depth evaluation of the influences of the laser pulse width and wavelength to the CIGS scribing process on glass substrate. A variation of the pulse width in the range of 10 ps to 100 ps and 1 ns up to 30 ns is studied and monitored to determine the influences on the scribing quality. At the end, a functional mini-module is presented featuring a dead zone of less than 200 μm. Incorporating the results into a scribing tool an innovative industrial concept is developed for future integration. An outlook is given on the possible impact on cell efficiency, manufacturing costs, and cost of ownership implementing such a concept into production.