Abstract: The present invention proposes a method to form a gradient thin film using a spray pyrolysis technique. The method comprises providing a base substrate, preparing a spray aqueous solution by mixing at least two precursor compounds comprising at least two different elements and spraying the spray aqueous solution onto the base substrate. According to the present invention, the ratio of the concentration of the at least two different elements within the spray aqueous solution is varied while performing the method. In this way, a thin film having a gradient of elemental composition over its layer thickness may be formed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the manufacture of the first layer of a back contact layer for thin-layer solar cells in superstrate configuration. In the prior art, this layer is deposited as a compound, for example as a layer of Sb2Te3. In accordance with the invention, however, a tellurium-rich surface layer of the cadmium telluride layer is produced, on which a first material is deposited which is capable of forming an electrically conductive second material with tellurium and of producing the second material by reaction of the first material and tellurium in the surface layer. The second material forms the first layer of the back contact layer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for producing CdTe thin-film solar cells, respectively a semi-finished CdTe thin-film solar cell, where in an additional temperature step is carried out after applying the CdTe layer on to a substrate. In particular, the temperature step is performed after activating the CdTe layer using a suitable activation agent and removing the residual activation agent from the CdTe layer. The temperature treatment is performed under vacuum or in a heating chamber filled with either air or inert gas, during which treatment the substrate is exposed to a temperature between 180° C. and 380° C. for a time between 5 minutes and 60 minutes. Due to the inventive additional temperature step, the number and extension of crystal defects in the CdTe layer is reduced and the electric efficiency of the solar cell is further improved.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the manufacture of a partially transparent thin-layer solar module in which the opaque layers (primarily the semiconductor layer and the back contact layer) comprise defined surface regions which lack the material of these layers. These surface regions which are free of material may be produced by not coating them during manufacture or by retroactively removing them from the surface regions.

Abstract: A method to produce thin film solar cells in superstrate or substrate configuration is an efficient way to minimize the loss due to absorption in CdS layer and to eliminate the CdCl2 activation treatment step. This is achieved by applying a sacrificial metal-halide layer between the CdS-layer and the CdTe-layer of the solar cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved method for the manufacture of CdTe thin-layer solar cells or a semi-finished product therefor, which provides for the application of an additional, adhesion-promoting layer which is applied to the front contact layer following its deposition in order to improve the growth of the subsequent CdS layer; it also concerns a thin-layer solar cell produced by said method. CdTe is a particularly preferred material for the adhesion-promoting layer, which is preferably a monolayer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for coating plate-shaped substrates, in particular glass substrates for solar cell production. The method includes heating the substrates, which are moved on transporting shafts through heating and coating chambers, by a different amount on the upper and lower sides, so that the coating temperature can be increased without the substrates becoming too soft to handle. A device is described which is suitable for carrying out the method and has heating and coating chambers, which have independent heating systems, as well as a transport system.