#cztsse

▲Dr. Jin-Kyu Kang in the Department of Energy Technology (middle) and the research study group

DGIST Department of Energy Technology achieves the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency in the worldHuge expectations towards the commercialization of flexible solar cell that applies in numerous fields

DGIST revealed on Tuesday, September 10 that Dr. Jin-Kyu Kang’s research study group in Department of Energy Technology attained 11.4% for the photoelectric conversion1 efficiency of flexible CZTSSe thin-film solar cell, the highest in the world. This research study is anticipated to add to the advancement of future solar energy technology and the thin-film solar cell market of next generation.

 Flexible thin-film solar cell can be used in numerous fields such as wearable, structure, and vehicles based upon the flexible substrate technology. Because CZTSSe thin-film solar cell utilizes inexpensive, ecofriendly products, it is drawing spotlight and is being looked into as the next generation solar energy technology throughout the world. Nevertheless, Flexible CZTSSe`s photoelectric conversion efficiency had actually not surpassed 10% due to technological problem such as the spread of pollutants inside the flexible substrate and delamination.

 In reaction, the DGIST research study group performed research study and attained the highest efficiency of 11.4%, which was formally acknowledged. This accomplishment is drawing more attention since its mass production is a lot easier with the usage of low-cost, ecofriendly products such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), tin(Sn) than the existing thin-film solar cell (CIGARETTES, CdTe, perovskite2), which utilizes high-cost heavy metal products such as indium, lead, and cadmium. 

 One of the greatest accomplishments of this research study is increased efficiency by altering the existing 3-stack structure of CZTSSe thin-film solar cell precursor into a multi-layered structure and by enhancing the voltage attributes and harmony. Additionally, it has the issue with harmony deterioration when a large-area procedure is used to thin-film solar cell, however used procedure technology in this research study enhanced not just efficiency however likewise harmony.

  Dr. Kee-Jeong Yang who led the advancement of procedure technology stated “Our research achievement has presented ways to secure the uniformity of large-area process, which can cause issues in commercialization. We will be able to advance the commercialization of next generation solar cell which is applicable in various fields such as building outer walls.” Additionally, Senior Scientist Jin-Kyu Kang, the research study job supervisor, stated “As there is growing interest towards environment and resources are utilized unlimitedly nowadays, it is an extremely significant accomplishment that we have actually established a thin-film solar cell utilizing commonly readily available, ecofriendly products. We prepare to lead the future solar cell technology utilizing commonly readily available products and add to the advancement of thin-film solar cell market. 

  This research study was performed as a task “Advancement of earth plentiful, non-toxic chalcogenide absorber based flexible inorganic thin movie solar cell” with assistance by Korea Energy Technology Examination and Preparation (KETEP), which is connected under the Ministry of Trade, Market, and Energy. DGIST prepares to open the Proving Ground for Thin Movie Solar Cell based upon this accomplishment. Its precursor style technology was released on global journal ‘Nature Communications’ on July 4.

1  Photoelectric conversion: Conversion of light energy into electrical energy. 2  Perovskite: A crystal structure with outstanding electrical conductivity, developed by blending methyl ammonium, formamidium, and inorganic and raw materials. Types electrons when gets light and produces electrical power like routine solar cell. 

▲Dr. Jin-Kyu Kang in the Division of Energy Technology (middle) and the research team

DGIST Division of Energy Technology achieves the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency in the worldHuge expectations toward the commercialization of flexible solar cell that is applicable in various fields

DGIST announced on Tuesday, September 10 that Dr. Jin-Kyu Kang’s research team in Division of Energy Technology achieved 11.4% for the photoelectric conversion1 efficiency of flexible CZTSSe thin-film solar cell, the highest in the world. This research is expected to contribute to the development of future solar power technology and the thin-film solar cell industry of next generation.

 Flexible thin-film solar cell can be applied in various fields such as wearable, building, and automobiles based on the flexible substrate technology. Since CZTSSe thin-film solar cell uses low-cost, ecofriendly materials, it is drawing limelight and is being researched as the next generation solar power technology throughout the world. However, Flexible CZTSSe`s photoelectric conversion efficiency had not exceeded 10% due to technological issue such as the spread of impurities inside the flexible substrate and delamination.

 In response, the DGIST research team conducted research and achieved the highest efficiency of 11.4%, which was officially recognized. This achievement is drawing more attention because its mass production is much easier with the use of low-cost, ecofriendly materials such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), tin(Sn) than the existing thin-film solar cell (CIGS, CdTe, perovskite2), which uses high-cost heavy metal materials such as indium, lead, and cadmium. 

 One of the biggest achievements of this research is increased efficiency by changing the existing 3-stack structure of CZTSSe thin-film solar cell precursor into a multi-layered structure and by improving the voltage characteristics and uniformity. Moreover, it has the problem with uniformity degradation when a large-area process is applied to thin-film solar cell, but applied process technology in this research improved not only efficiency but also uniformity.

  Dr. Kee-Jeong Yang who led the development of process technology said “Our research achievement has presented ways to secure the uniformity of large-area process, which can cause issues in commercialization. We will be able to advance the commercialization of next generation solar cell which is applicable in various fields such as building outer walls.” Moreover, Senior Researcher Jin-Kyu Kang, the research project manager, said “As there is growing interest towards environment and resources are used unlimitedly these days, it is a very meaningful achievement that we have developed a thin-film solar cell using widely available, ecofriendly materials. We plan to lead the future solar cell technology using widely available materials and contribute to the development of thin-film solar cell industry. 

  This research was carried out as a project “Development of earth abundant, non-toxic chalcogenide absorber based flexible inorganic thin film solar cell” with support by Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP), which is affiliated under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. DGIST plans to open the Research Center for Thin Film Solar Cell based on this achievement. Its precursor design technology was published on international journal ‘Nature Communications’ on July 4.

1  Photoelectric conversion: Conversion of light energy into electric energy. 2  Perovskite: A crystal structure with excellent electrical conductivity, created by mixing methyl ammonium, formamidium, and inorganic and organic matters. Forms electrons when receives light and produces electricity like regular solar cell.