Photovoltaic glass tco

Can laser-scribed transparent conducting oxide (TCO) coated glass be extracted from waste solar modules?

ConclusionsLaser-scribed transparent conducting oxide (TCO) coated glass was recovered from the waste amorphous silicon solar modules using a combination of mechanical, thermal, and chemical treatment without altering its properties. A complete process described for the extraction of TCO coated glass from waste thin film PV modules.

Can TCO be used in PV devices?

TCO on glass substrates to be used in PV devicesmust have high carrier mobility and high optical transparency [ 39 ]. Glass offers strength, rigidity, environmental stability, and high transmission, all inexpensively [ 40 ]. The cost of a TCO coated glass is quite high [ 41 ].

Which TCO is used in thin-film solar cells?

The most common TCO used in thin-film solar cells is FTO, where a wide range of quality products are offered by NSG Pilkington, PPG Industries, and Asahi Glass, among others. Various methods have been applied for FTO preparation, including spray pyrolysis, vapor- and liquid-phase or sol–gel deposition, pulsed laser deposition, and sputtering.

How long has NSG been producing TCO-coated glass for thin-film PV?

NSG has been producing TCO-coated glass for thin-film PV for more than 25 years. “Every year the solar market is bigger and bigger; more capital, more resources,” said Stephen Weidner, who heads NSG’s North American architectural glass and solar products groups. “We see this on a global basis.” Glass for solar is becoming more significant.

What is a TCO layer in a solar cell?

The TCO layermaintains the electrical contact with the cell while allowing the Sun radiation to enter into the absorbent material. In superstrate configuration-based thin film solar cells, the layers for cells are grown on TCO-coated glass substrates. Also, TCOs in solar cells can be used as back electrical contact as a buffer layer [ 38 ].

What is the crystalline structure of TCO coated glass?

The extracted TCO coated glass is identified as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) with a combined thickness of TCO/glass of 3.14 mm. No crystalline structure change observed after the chemical treatment on FTO in XRD measurement results. The extracted FTO has a thickness of 590 nm–680nm measured using step profilometry.