ABSTRACT

The identification and removal of defects is, therefore, becoming crucial in improving the reproducibility, performance, stability, yield, and lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. This improved understanding of solar cell structures could lead to the achievement of stable, low-cost, and highly efficient solar cells in the future. The undesirable behaviours of solar cells based on inorganic materials are mainly due to defects in the bulk materials, interfaces, or the combination of both. The experimental results are interpreted based on the observation of defect levels present in thin-film solar cells. The forward-bias condition is equivalent to the open circuit situation of a solar cell under illumination or the solar panel used during the daytime. The devices selected were first measured for evaluation of their solar cell parameters, and then electrical stresses were applied while the devices were kept at room temperature and in dark conditions.