scholarly journals Advances in low-cost and nontoxic materials based solar cell devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 2070 (1) ◽  
pp. 012043
Author(s):  
S S Hegde ◽  
K Ramesh
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tin Sulfide ◽  
Next Generation

Abstract Photovoltaics (PV) have become increasingly popular and reached as the third-largest renewable energy source. Thin-film solar cells made from earth-abundant, inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials are needed to replace the current PV technologies whose large-scale applications are limited by material and/or resource constraints. Near optimum direct optical bandgap of 1.3 eV, high absorption coefficient (>104 cm−1), less toxic, and abundant raw resources along with considerable scalability have made tin sulfide (SnS) as a strategic choice for next-generation PVs. In this review, limitations of leading commercial PV technologies and the status of a few alternate low-cost PV materials are outlined. Recent literature on crucial physical properties of SnS thin-films and the present status of SnS thin-film-based solar cells are discussed. Deficiency and adequacy of some of the key properties of SnS including carrier mobility (μ), minority carrier lifetime (τ), and absorption coefficient (α) are discussed in comparison of existing commercial solar cell materials. Future research trends on SnS based solar cells to enhance their conversion efficiencies towards the theoretical maximum of 24% from present ~5% and its prospectus as next-generation solar cell is also discussed.

scholarly journals A Critical Review of Cu2SnS3 (CTS) Thin Films Solar Cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Fakhrul Islam ◽  
Nadhrah Md Yatim ◽  
Puvaneswaran Chelvanathan ◽  
Mohammad Tanvirul Ferdaous ◽  
Mohd Azman Hashim@Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Structural Defects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tin Sulfide ◽  
X Ray

To increase energy demand, reliability, and increasing efficiency, thin-film solar cells get the main focus. Various types of solar cell like (Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS), Cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) based absorber compound now eliminated by CTS (Cu2SnS3) for different reason like toxicity, shortage and structural complexity. Focus on CTS is increasing because it is nontoxic and it is environmentally friendly. CTS-based solar cell's power conversation efficiency increases and 30% theoretical efficiency indicates it's developing sign. For analyzing the synthesis property, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques are used. For the synthesis of thin-film solar cells like CTS, different physical methods are used among all sputtering methods. The electron beam evaporation vacuum evaporation method has exposed better efficiency and high product quality and reliability. Additionally, the composition, variation of thickness, structural defects, and elemental composition make the absorber layer's quality affect the performance. This paper has discussed the annealing treatment of CTS-based solar cell synthesis, and it's essential to improve the thin film properties of thin films. This paper describes the reason for efficiency reduction also the scope for future research.

scholarly journals Growth and Fabrication of GaAs Thin-Film Solar Cells on a Si Substrate via Hetero Epitaxial Lift-Off

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 820
Author(s):  
Seungwan Woo ◽  
Geunhwan Ryu ◽  
Taesoo Kim ◽  
Namgi Hong ◽  
Jae-Hoon Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Threading Dislocation ◽  
Si Substrate ◽  
Lift Off

We demonstrate, for the first time, GaAs thin film solar cells epitaxially grown on a Si substrate using a metal wafer bonding and epitaxial lift-off process. A relatively thin 2.1 μm GaAs buffer layer was first grown on Si as a virtual substrate, and a threading dislocation density of 1.8 × 107 cm−2 was achieved via two In0.1Ga0.9As strained insertion layers and 6× thermal cycle annealing. An inverted p-on-n GaAs solar cell structure grown on the GaAs/Si virtual substrate showed homogenous photoluminescence peak intensities throughout the 2″ wafer. We show a 10.6% efficient GaAs thin film solar cell without anti-reflection coatings and compare it to nominally identical upright structure solar cells grown on GaAs and Si. This work paves the way for large-scale and low-cost wafer-bonded III-V multi-junction solar cells.

Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

2014 ◽  
pp. 319-346
Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Silicon Based

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.

Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

2013 ◽  
pp. 163-191
Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Silicon Based

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.

scholarly journals Removal Mechanism and Defect Characterization for Glass-Side Laser Scribing of CdTe/CdS Multilayer in Solar Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongliang Wang ◽  
Y. Lawrence Yao ◽  
Hongqiang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Removal Mechanism ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Solar Module ◽  
Laser Scribing

Laser scribing is an important manufacturing process used to reduce photocurrent and resistance losses and increase solar cell efficiency through the formation of serial interconnections in large-area solar cells. High-quality scribing is crucial since the main impediment to large-scale adoption of solar power is its high-production cost (price-per-watt) compared to competing energy sources such as wind and fossil fuels. In recent years, the use of glass-side laser scribing processes has led to increased scribe quality and solar cell efficiencies; however, defects introduced during the process such as thermal effect, microcracks, film delamination, and removal uncleanliness keep the modules from reaching their theoretical efficiencies. Moreover, limited numerical work has been performed in predicting thin-film laser removal processes. In this study, a nanosecond (ns) laser with a wavelength at 532 nm is employed for pattern 2 (P2) scribing on CdTe (cadmium telluride) based thin-film solar cells. The film removal mechanism and defects caused by laser-induced micro-explosion process are studied. The relationship between those defects, removal geometry, laser fluences, and scribing speeds are also investigated. Thermal and mechanical numerical models are developed to analyze the laser-induced spatiotemporal temperature and pressure responsible for film removal. The simulation can well-predict the film removal geometries, transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer thermal damage, generation of microcracks, film delamination, and residual materials. The characterization of removal qualities will enable the process optimization and design required to enhance solar module efficiency.

Recent advances in flexible perovskite solar cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (79) ◽  
pp. 14696-14707 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Susrutha ◽  
Lingamallu Giribabu ◽  
Surya Prakash Singh
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Roll To Roll ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Reduced Dimension ◽  
Thin Film Photovoltaics

Flexible thin-film photovoltaics facilitate the implementation of solar devices into portable, reduced dimension, and roll-to-roll modules. In this review, we describe recent developments in the fabrication of flexible perovskite solar cells that are low cost and highly efficient and can be used for the fabrication of large-area and lightweight solar cell devices.

scholarly journals Optimization of Mo/Cr bilayer back contacts for thin-film solar cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2700-2707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nima Khoshsirat ◽  
Fawad Ali ◽  
Vincent Tiing Tiong ◽  
Mojtaba Amjadipour ◽  
Hongxia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Soda Lime ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Soda Lime Glass ◽  
Tin Sulfide ◽  
Back Contact ◽  
Bilayer Films

Molybdenum (Mo) is the most commonly used material as back contact in thin-film solar cells. Adhesion of Mo film to soda–lime glass (SLG) substrate is crucial to the performance of solar cells. In this study, an optimized bilayer structure made of a thin layer of Mo on an ultra-thin chromium (Cr) adhesion layer is used as the back contact for a copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) thin-film solar cell on a SLG substrate. DC magnetron sputtering is used for deposition of Mo and Cr films. The conductivity of Mo/Cr bilayer films, their microstructure and surface morphology are studied at different deposition powers and working pressures. Good adhesion to the SLG substrate has been achieved by means of an ultra-thin Cr layer under the Mo layer. By optimizing the deposition conditions we achieved low surface roughness, high optical reflectance and low sheet resistivity while we could decrease the back contact thickness to 600 nm. That is two thirds to half of the thickness that is currently being used for bilayer and single layer back contact for thin-film solar cells. We demonstrate the excellent properties of Mo/Cr bilayer as back contact of a CZTS solar cell.

Advanced, Thin, Polycrystalline Silicon-Film™ Solar Cells on Low-Cost Substrates

1996 ◽  
Vol 426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B. Hall ◽  
Allen M. Barnett ◽  
Jeff E. Cotter ◽  
David H. Ford ◽  
Alan E. Ingram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Polycrystalline Silicon ◽  
Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Silicon Film ◽  
Silicon Layer ◽  
Thin Polycrystalline

AbstractThin, polycrystalline silicon solar cells have the potential for the realization of a 15%, lowcost photovoltaic product. As a photovoltaic material, polycrystalline material is abundant, benign, and electrically stable. The thin-film polycrystalline silicon solar cell design achieves high efficiency by incorporating techniques to enhance optical absorption, ensure electrical confinement, and minimize bulk recombination currents. AstroPower's approach to a thin-film polycrystalline silicon solar cell technology is based on the Silicon-Film™ process, a continuous sheet manufacturing process for the growth of thin films of polycrystalline silicon on low-cost substrates. A new barrier layer and substrate have been developed for advanced solar cell designs. External gettering with phosphorus has been employed to effect significant improvements leading to effective minority carrier diffusion lengths greater than 250 micrometers in the active silicon layer. Light trapping has been observed in 60-micrometer thick films of silicon grown on the new barrier-coated substrate. An efficiency of 12.2% in a 0.659 cm2 solar cell has been achieved with the advanced structure.

scholarly journals Fabrication of the Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Solar Cell via a Photo-Sintering Technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Vu Minh Han Cao ◽  
Jaesung Bae ◽  
Joongpyo Shim ◽  
Byungyou Hong ◽  
Hongsub Jee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Secondary Phase ◽  
Band Gap Energy ◽  
Absorber Layer ◽  
Solar Cell Performance ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Electron Microscopes

Alternative photo-sintering techniques for thermal annealing processes are used to improve the morphology, layer properties, and enhance solar cell performance. The fast, nontoxic, low cost, and environmentally friendly characteristics of Cu2ZnSnS4 have led to its consideration as an alternative potential absorber layer in copper indium gallium diselenide thin film solar cells. This work investigates the photo-sintering process for the absorber layer of Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells. A Cu2ZnSnS4 layer was grown by hot-injection and screen-printing techniques, and the characteristics of the photo-sintered Cu2ZnSnS4 layer were evaluated by X-ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopes. Overall, the optimal composition was Cu-poor and Zn-rich, without a secondary phase, estimated optical band-gap energy of approximately 1.6 eV, and enhanced morphology and kesterite crystallization. Using an intensity pulse light technique to the CZTS layer, fabrication of the solar cell device demonstrated successfully, and the efficiency of 1.01% was achieved at 2.96 J/cm2.

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