Nano-scale Investigation of Light Scattering at Randomly Textured Light Trapping Structures for Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Bittkau ◽  
Thomas Beckers ◽  
Carsten Rockstuhl ◽  
Stephan Fahr ◽  
Falk Lederer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Silicon Layer ◽  
Theoretical Data ◽  
Nano Scale

AbstractWe report on nano-scale optical effects of amorphous silicon layer conformally deposited on randomly textured zinc oxide layers on glass substrates investigated by near-field scanning microscopy. Such textured layers are used in thin-film photovoltaic devices to enhance light trapping. Experimental results are compared to theoretical data, obtained from large scale finite-difference time-domain simulations. Light localization on the surface of the textured interface and a focusing of light by the structure further away are observed. The measurements are compared with simulations, which provide additional insight into the light intensity distribution inside the solar cell on a nm-scale. It will be shown how this information can be used to optimize light trapping in thin-film solar cells using an amorphous silicon solar cell as an example.

Periodic Structures for Improved Light Management in Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janez Krc ◽  
Andrej Campa ◽  
Stefan L. Luxembourg ◽  
Miro Zeman ◽  
Marko Topic
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Photonic Crystal ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Periodic Structures ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Thin Film Silicon ◽  
Light Management

AbstractAdvanced light management in thin-film solar cells is important in order to improve the photo-current and, thus, to raise up the conversion efficiencies of the solar cells. In this article two types of periodic structures ¡V one-dimensional diffraction gratings and photonic crystals,are analyzed in the direction of showing their potential for improved light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells. The anti-reflective effects and enhanced scattering at the gratings with the triangular and rectangular features are studied by means of two-dimensional optical simulations. Simulations of the complete microcrystalline solar cell incorporating the gratings at all interfaces are presented. Critical optical issues to be overcome for achieving the performances of the cells with the optimized randomly textured interfaces are pointed out. Reflectance measurements for the designed 12 layer photonic crystal stack consisting of amorphous silicon nitride and amorphous silicon layers are presented and compared with the simulations. High reflectance (up to 99 %) of the stack is measured for a broad wavelength spectrum. By means of optical simulations the potential for using a simple photonic crystal structure as a back reflector in an amorphous silicon solar cell is demonstrated.

The optical near-field of randomly textured light trapping structures for thin-film solar cells

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Beckers ◽  
K. Bittkau ◽  
C. Rockstuhl ◽  
S. Fahr ◽  
F. Lederer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells

Three Generations of Solar Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 1165 ◽  
pp. 113-130
Author(s):  
Romyani Goswami
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
High Stability ◽  
Single Crystal Silicon ◽  
Nanocrystalline Silicon ◽  
Crystal Silicon

In photovoltaic system the major challenge is the cost reduction of the solar cell module to compete with those of conventional energy sources. Evolution of solar photovoltaic comprises of several generations through the last sixty years. The first generation solar cells were based on single crystal silicon and bulk polycrystalline Si wafers. The single crystal silicon solar cell has high material cost and the fabrication also requires very high energy. The second generation solar cells were based on thin film fabrication technology. Due to low temperature manufacturing process and less material requirement, remarkable cost reduction was achieved in these solar cells. Among all the thin film technologies amorphous silicon thin film solar cell is in most advanced stage of development and is commercially available. However, an inherent problem of light induced degradation in amorphous silicon hinders the higher efficiency in this kind of cell. The third generation silicon solar cells are based on nano-crystalline and nano-porous materials. Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) is becoming a promising material as an absorber layer of solar cell due to its high stability with high Voc. It is also suggested that the cause of high stability and less degradation of certain nc-Si:H films may be due to the improvement of medium range order (MRO) of the films. During the last ten years, organic, polymer, dye sensitized and perovskites materials are also attract much attention of the photovoltaic researchers as the low budget next generation PV material worldwide. Although most important challenge for those organic solar cells in practical applications is the stability issue. In this work nc-Si:H films are successfully deposited at a high deposition rate using a high pressure and a high power by Radio Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RF PECVD) technique. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show the formations of distinct nano-sized grains in the amorphous tissue with sharp crystalline orientations. Light induced degradation of photoconductivity of nc-Si:H materials have been studied. Single junction solar cells and solar module were successfully fabricated using nanocrystalline silicon as absorber layer. The optimum cell is 7.1 % efficient initially. Improvement in efficiency can be achieved by optimizing the doped layer/interface and using Ag back contact.

Broadband light trapping in nanopatterned thin film amorphous silicon solar cells

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Martella ◽  
C. Mennucci ◽  
M.C. Giordano ◽  
F. Buatier de Mongeot ◽  
P. Delli Veneri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells

Improved light trapping effect for thin-film silicon solar cells fabricated on double-textured white glass substrate

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 920-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetoshi Wada ◽  
Keiichi Nishikubo ◽  
Porponth Sichanugrist ◽  
Makoto Konagai
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Chemical ◽  
Trapping Effect ◽  
Thin Film Silicon ◽  
Vapor Deposition Technique

Light trapping effect using rough surface transparent conductive oxide (TCO) is one of the best ways to achieve high efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells. Several types of rough ZnO film fabricated by metal organic chemical vapor deposition technique onto the glass, which are etched by reactive ion etching, have been proposed so far as promising TCO substrates. In this paper, newly developed ZnO substrate with extremely high light scattering property comparing with typical pyramidal texture one was developed. By applying this newly developed ZnO substrate to the solar cell, higher short circuit current of about 2% has been achieved comparing with typical pyramidal texture one without sacrificing other parameters. This result showed that the newly developed substrate is suitable as a front TCO substrate for high performance thin-film silicon solar cell.

Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells With Silver Nanoparticles Embedded Inside the Absorber Layer

2010 ◽  
Vol 1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudi Santbergen ◽  
Renrong Liang ◽  
Miro Zeman
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Metal Nanoparticles ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Silicon Layer ◽  
Absorber Layer ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Bottom Part ◽  
Embedded Particles

AbstractA novel light trapping technique for solar cells is based on light scattering by metal nanoparticles through excitation of localized surface plasmons. We investigated the effect of metal nanoparticles embedded inside the absorber layer of amorphous silicon solar cells on the cell performance. The position of the particles inside the absorber layer was varied. Transmission electron microscopy images of the cell devices showed well defined silver nanoparticles, indicating that they survive the embedding procedure. The optical absorption of samples where the silver nanoparticles were embedded in thin amorphous silicon layer showed an enhancement peak around the plasmon resonance of 800 nm. The embedded particles significantly reduce the performance of the fabricated devices. We attribute this to the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers in the absorber layer induced by the presence of the silver nanoparticles. Finally we demonstrate that the fabricated solar cells exhibit tandem-like behavior where the silver nanoparticles separate the absorber layer into a top and bottom part.

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.

Modeling of Advanced Light Trapping Approaches in Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miro Zeman ◽  
Olindo Isabella ◽  
Klaus Jäger ◽  
Pavel Babal ◽  
Serge Solntsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Spherical Particles ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
Thin Film Silicon ◽  
Negative Effect

ABSTRACTDue to the increasing complexity of thin-film silicon solar cells, the role of computer modeling for analyzing and designing these devices becomes increasingly important. The ASA program was used to study two of these advanced devices. The simulations of an amorphous silicon solar cell with silver nanoparticles embedded in a zinc oxide back reflector demonstrated the negative effect of the parasitic absorption in the particles. When using optical properties of perfectly spherical particles a modest enhancement in the external quantum efficiency was found. The simulations of a tandem micromorph solar cell, in which a zinc oxide based photonic crystal-like multilayer was incorporated as an intermediate reflector (IR), demonstrated that the IR resulted in an enhanced photocurrent in the top cell and could be used to optimize the current matching of the top and bottom cell.

Bias-induced instability in an intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer for thin-film solar cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 122-125
Author(s):  
Youngseok Lee ◽  
Cheolmin Park ◽  
Jinjoo Park ◽  
Donghyun Oh ◽  
Youn-Jung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Silicon Layer ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

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.

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