Equivalent-circuit Modeling of Microcrystalline Silicon pin Solar Cells prepared over a Wide Range of Absorber-layer Compositions

2010 ◽  
Vol 1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Reynolds ◽  
Vladimir Smirnov
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Equivalent Circuit ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Crystalline Region ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Crystalline

AbstractAn equivalent-circuit electrical model is used to simulate the photovoltaic properties of mixed-phase thin-film silicon solar cells. Microcrystalline and amorphous phases are represented as separate parallel-connected photodiode equivalent circuits, scaled by assuming that the photodiode area is directly proportional to the volume fraction of each phase. A reasonable correspondence between experiment and simulation is obtained for short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage vs. volume fraction. However the large dip in fill-factor and reduced PV efficiency measured for cells prepared in the low-crystalline region is inadequately reproduced. It is concluded that poor PV performance in this region is not due solely to shunting by more highly-crystalline filaments, which supports the view that the low-crystalline material has transport properties inferior to either microcrystalline or amorphous silicon.

scholarly journals Direct AFM-based nanoscale mapping and tomography of open-circuit voltages for photovoltaics

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1802-1808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Atamanuk ◽  
Justin Luria ◽  
Bryan D Huey
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit Voltage ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Individual Grains

The nanoscale optoelectronic properties of materials can be especially important for polycrystalline photovoltaics including many sensor and solar cell designs. For thin film solar cells such as CdTe, the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are especially critical performance indicators, often varying between and even within individual grains. A new method for directly mapping the open-circuit voltage leverages photo-conducting AFM, along with an additional proportional-integral-derivative feedback loop configured to maintain open-circuit conditions while scanning. Alternating with short-circuit current mapping efficiently provides complementary insight into the highly microstructurally sensitive local and ensemble photovoltaic performance. Furthermore, direct open-circuit voltage mapping is compatible with tomographic AFM, which additionally leverages gradual nanoscale milling by the AFM probe essentially for serial sectioning. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional results for CdTe solar cells during in situ illumination reveal local to mesoscale contributions to PV performance based on the order of magnitude variations in photovoltaic properties with distinct grains, at grain boundaries, and for sub-granular planar defects.

scholarly journals Fabrication and Characterization of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells Added with Polysilanes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeo Oku ◽  
Junya Nomura ◽  
Atsushi Suzuki ◽  
Hiroki Tanaka ◽  
Sakiko Fukunishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Interfacial Structure ◽  
Perovskite Layer ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Coating Method

Effects of polysilane additions on CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells were investigated. Photovoltaic cells were fabricated by a spin-coating method using perovskite precursor solutions with polymethyl phenylsilane, polyphenylsilane, or decaphenyl cyclopentasilane (DPPS), and the microstructures were examined by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Open-circuit voltages were increased by introducing these polysilanes, and short-circuit current density was increased by the DPPS addition, which resulted in the improvement of the photoconversion efficiencies to 10.46%. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies were also increased in the range of 400~750 nm. Microstructure analysis indicated the formation of a dense interfacial structure by grain growth and increase of surface coverage of the perovskite layer with DPPS, and the formation of PbI2 was suppressed, leading to the improvement of photovoltaic properties.

Preparation and Photovoltaic Properties of Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 306-307 ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Zeng ◽  
Li Jia Zhao ◽  
Ying Zhen ◽  
Fang Xiao Shi ◽  
Yu Tong
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Conductive Glass ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were prepared by using carbon nanotube transparent conductive films (CNT-TCFs) as flexible substrates, and their photovoltaic properties were investigated as well. The flexible DSCs show typical photovoltaic characteristics with short-circuit current of 0.78 μA and open-circuit voltage of 1.48 mV, which was strongly influenced by heat-treatment temperature, type of dyes, and electrical resistivity. In light of their lighter weight and higher flexibility than conventional DSCs based on conductive glass substrates, the flexible DSCs have great potential as functional photoelectric components in many fields.

N-Type Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Oxide Films and Their Applications in Micromorph Silicon Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amornrat Limmanee ◽  
Songkiate Kittisontirak ◽  
Channarong Piromjit ◽  
Jaran Sritharathikhun ◽  
Kobsak Sriprapha
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Silicon Oxide ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Oxide Films ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Microcrystalline Silicon ◽  
Shunt Resistance

ABSTRACTWe have prepared n-type hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon oxide films (n μc-SiO:H) and investigated their structural, electrical and optical properties. Raman spectra shows that, amorphous phase of the n μc-SiO:H films tends to increase when the CO2/SiH4 ratio increases from 0 to 0.28 resulting in a reduction of the crystalline volume fraction (Xc) from 70 to 12%. Optical bandgap (E04) becomes gradually wider while dark conductivity and refractive index (n) continuously drop with increasing CO2/SiH4 ratio. The n μc-SiO:H films have been practically applied as a n layer in top cell of a-SiO:H/μc-Si:H micromorph silicon solar cells. We found that, open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of the cells gradually increased, while short circuit current density (Jsc) remained almost the same value with increasing CO2/SiH4 ratio for n top layer deposition up to 0.23. The highest initial cell efficiency of 10.7% is achieved at the CO2/SiH4 ratio of 0.23. The enhancement of the Voc is supposed to be due to a reduction of reverse bias at sub cell connection (n top/p bottom interface). An increase of shunt resistance (Rsh) which is caused by a better tunnel recombination junction contributes to the improvement in the FF. Quantum efficiency (QE) results indicate no difference between the cells using n top μc-SiO:H and the cells with n top μc-Si:H layers. These results reveal that, the n μc-SiO:H films in this study do not work as an intermediate reflector to enhance light scattering inside the solar cells, but mainly play a key role to allow ohmic and low resistive electrical connection between the two adjacent cells in the micromorph silicon solar cells.

scholarly journals The performance of solar cells using chlorophyll dye from Syzygium paniculatum

Clean Energy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-440
Author(s):  
Sri Wuryanti
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Irregular Shapes ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract In this study, analysis was performed of the macro characterization of solar cells with chlorophyll dye from Syzygium paniculatum, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Solar cells based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterial and chlorophyll dye from S. paniculatum can increase efficiency due to flavonoids and batulinic acid content. Photoanode TiO2 is one of the essential factors determining the photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and shade, which broadens the absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the method used in this research involved varying the colour of the S. paniculatum leaves, namely red (SP-Red), green (SP-Green) and a red–green mix (SP-Mix). From a macro analysis, SEM observations resulted in agglomerated and aggregated TiO2-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dye layers with irregular shapes. EDX observation resulted in a peak in Ti at 5 keV and all constituents were detected with an O:Ti ratio of 3.47:1 for FTO-TiO2/PEG using SP-Green. Measurement of voltage-current (IV) using a digital multimeter indicated that the best occurred in the DSSC with SP-Green, resulting in a short-circuit current density (Isc) of 0.0047 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.432 V, a charging factor (FF) of 0.749 and an efficiency (η) of 3.724%.

Improving Charge Transport in PbS Quantum Dot to Al:ZnO Layer by Changing the Size of Quantum Dots in Hybrid Solar Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1067-1071
Author(s):  
Masood Mehrabian ◽  
Parinaz Abdollahian
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Visible Region ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Hybrid Solar Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Photovoltaic Applications ◽  
Pbs Quantum Dots

AbstractPbS Quantum dots and P3HT are promising materials for photovoltaic applications due to their absorption in the NIR and visible region, respectively. Our previous experimental work showed that doping Al to ZnO lattice (Al:ZnO) could efficiently improve the cell performance. In this article, hybrid solar cells containing of two active areas with ITO/Al:ZnO/PbS QDs/P3HT&PCBM/Ag structure were fabricated and the effect of PbS QD size on photovoltaic properties was investigated. Optimised solar cell showed maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.45 % with short-circuit current of 9.36 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 0.59 V under 1 sun illumination (AM1.5).

scholarly journals Efficient Solar Cells Based on a Polymer Donor with β-Branching in Trialkylsilyl Side Chains

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 134-140
Author(s):  
Haijun Bin ◽  
Martijn M. Wienk ◽  
René A. J. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Side Chains ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Alkyl Groups ◽  
High Efficient

Side-chain engineering is an important strategy in designing novel polymer semiconductor materials for high-efficient organic solar cells. The use of trialkylsilyl side chains can improve the photovoltaic efficiency by decreasing the energy of the HOMO of the polymer and improving its crystallinity and hole mobility. Compared to simple linear derivatives, α-branching in the alkyl groups of trialkylsilyl side chains causes strong aggregation and excessive phase separation in the photoactive layer, leading to poor device performance. β-Branching of the alkyl groups has not yet been used in trialkylsilyl side chains. Herein, we describe a new polymer (J77) with triisobutylsilyl side chains to investigate the effect of β-branching on the molecular aggregation, optical properties, energy levels, and photovoltaic properties. We find that compared to α-branching, β-branching of alkyl groups in trialkylsilyl side chains significantly reduces aggregation. This enables J77 to form blend morphologies in films that provide high-efficient solar cells in combination with different non-fullerene acceptors. Moreover β-branching of the alkyl groups in trialkylsilyl side chains lowers the HOMO energy level of J77 and increases the open-circuit voltage of J77-based solar cells without sacrificing short-circuit current density or fill factor.

Carrier Transport and Recombination In A-SI:H P-I-N Solar Cells in Dark and Under Illumination

2003 ◽  
Vol 762 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Deng ◽  
J.M. Pearce ◽  
V. Vlahos ◽  
R.J. Koval ◽  
R.W. Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Carrier Transport ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Forward Bias ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Carrier Lifetimes ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractA study has been carried out on the forward bias dark current and the short circuit current -open circuit voltage characteristics of a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells over wide range of illumination intensities. Results are presented with superposition of these characteristics over extended current voltage regimes. This and the observed separation between these characteristics are consistent with the arguments presented based on first principle arguments. The conclusions drawn about the role of photo-generated carrier lifetimes, the densities of defects and the potential barriers in the i-layers adjacent to the n and p contacts are confirmed by numerical simulations. The key role of these potential barriers to the split in the characteristics offer new insight into both why the lack of superposition has been observed and the erroneous conclusions drawn about carrier transport for a-Si:H solar cells in the dark and under illumination.

scholarly journals CdTe-Based Thin Film Solar Cells: Past, Present and Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Alessandro Romeo ◽  
Elisa Artegiani
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

CdTe is a very robust and chemically stable material and for this reason its related solar cell thin film photovoltaic technology is now the only thin film technology in the first 10 top producers in the world. CdTe has an optimum band gap for the Schockley-Queisser limit and could deliver very high efficiencies as single junction device of more than 32%, with an open circuit voltage of 1 V and a short circuit current density exceeding 30 mA/cm2. CdTe solar cells were introduced at the beginning of the 70s and they have been studied and implemented particularly in the last 30 years. The strong improvement in efficiency in the last 5 years was obtained by a new redesign of the CdTe solar cell device reaching a single solar cell efficiency of 22.1% and a module efficiency of 19%. In this paper we describe the fabrication process following the history of the solar cell as it was developed in the early years up to the latest development and changes. Moreover the paper also presents future possible alternative absorbers and discusses the only apparently controversial environmental impacts of this fantastic technology.

scholarly journals GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si Multi-Junction Solar Cells by in Metal Balls Bonding

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Ray-Hua Horng ◽  
Yu-Cheng Kao ◽  
Apoorva Sood ◽  
Po-Liang Liu ◽  
Wei-Cheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Triple Junction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Metal Line ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Junction Solar Cell

In this study, a mechanical stacking technique has been used to bond together the GaInP/GaAs and poly-silicon (Si) solar wafers. A GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cell has mechanically stacked using a low-temperature bonding process which involves micro metal In balls on a metal line using a high-optical-transmission spin-coated glue material. Current–voltage measurements of the GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cells have carried out at room temperature both in the dark and under 1 sun with 100 mW/cm2 power density using a solar simulator. The GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cell has reached an efficiency of 24.5% with an open-circuit voltage of 2.68 V, a short-circuit current density of 12.39 mA/cm2, and a fill-factor of 73.8%. This study demonstrates a great potential for the low-temperature micro-metal-ball mechanical stacking technique to achieve high conversion efficiency for solar cells with three or more junctions.

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