Stability, reliability, upscaling and possible technological applications of kesterite solar cells

Abstract

We review the stability and reliability results of kesterite (Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4, CZTSSe)-based solar cells and we complete the reviewed data with additional as yet unpublished data on these matters. We also review published and new data on upscaling and the possible technological applications for this material. Kesterite material is composed of mainly earth-abundant elements and is therefore very attractive for large-scale applications. Stability data are so far quite scarce and the main results are the accelerated aging tests carried out for CZTSSe monograin technology, as well as yet unpublished data on long indoor and outdoor irradiance tests carried out on thin-film CZTSSe technology deposited by a wet processing method. On upscaling and technological applications we point out the works on three main large-scale photovoltaic technologies (monograin, in-line vacuum thin film, and wet-deposited thin film), as well as some work on water-splitting applications.