Recent Progress in Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells and Their Technologies

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 38-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Hamakawa ◽  
W. Ma ◽  
H. Okamoto
Keyword(s):  
Silicon Carbide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
High Price ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell

A big barrier impeding the expansion of large-scale power generation by photovoltaic (PV) systems was the high price of solar cell modules, which was more than $50/Wp (peak watts) by 1974. Therefore, cost reduction of solar cells is of prime importance. To achieve this objective, tremendous R&D efforts have been made over the past ten years in a wide variety of technical fields, from solar cell materials, cell structure, and mass production processes to photovoltaic systems. As a result, more than an order of magnitude in cost reduction has been achieved, and the module cost has come down to less than $5/Wp in a firm bid for the large-scale market. Two phases of technological innovation can be identified. The first innovation in progress is based on low-cost polycrystalline technologies applicable to well-developed single-crystalline silicon solar cell fabrication processes. The second remarkable innovation is a-Si:H (hydrogenated amorphous silicon) technology, which we will discuss.We open our discussion with a brief overview of the present status of a-Si solar cell R&D efforts, with some new insights in device physics. Next, we discuss some new approaches and key technologies for improving solar cell efficiency with stabilized performance using new materials such as a-SiC:H (amorphous silicon carbide), μc-SiC:H (microcrystalline silicon carbide), and a-SiGe:H (amorphous silicon germanium). Also, the progress of conversion efficiency in various types of amorphous silicon solar cells is surveyed and summarized.

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.

scholarly journals Performance of Silicon Solar Cells under the Climatic Conditions of Bangladesh, Part III. Performance of PV Cells under Defuse Light and Applicability for Home Lighting

1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Eusuf ◽  
M Khanam ◽  
S Khatun
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Solid Surface ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
Solar Home System

In part II of this series, it was reported that the solar home system (SHS) supplied by REB in some islands of the Meghna river in the district of Narsingdi could not meet the demand of the recipients in the rainy season when the sky remained overcast with cloud. The tilt angle for all installations was 45° facing south. In this study, effects of direct and diffuse sunlight with variation of tilt angles from 0° to 45° were studied using a mono crystalline silicon cell. Pyranometer and the solar panel were kept under identical conditions. Energy absorbed by the solar panel in diffuse sunlight was found 0.55% of that received by the Pyranometer under similar conditions showing that mono crystalline silicon solar cell of the type under study was not suitable for use in SHS. Moreover, the gap between the panel and the solid surface below it has significant effects on the efficiency of the solar cell. Further similar study using different kinds of cells- mono crystalline, poly crystalline and amorphous is needed for proper designs of SHS. Optimization of the gap between the panel and the solid surface below it is important for roof-mounted and ground-mounted panels. Key words: Silicon solar cells; Tilt angle; Diffuse light; Home lighting; Monocrystaline. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8114 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 117-122, 2011   

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.

scholarly journals Novel Photonic Crystal Based Polycrystalline CdTe/Silicon Solar Cells

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Photonic Crystal ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells

In this paper, a novel photonic crystal (PhC) polycrystalline CdTe/Silicon solar cells are theoretically explained that increase their short circuit current density and conversion efficiency. The proposed structure consist of a polycrystalline CdTe/Silicon solar cell that a photonic crystal is formed in the upper cell. The optical confinement is achieved by means of photonic crystal that can adjust the propagation and distribution of photons in solar cells. For validation of modeling, the electrical properties of the experimentally-fabricated based CdS/CdTe solar cell is modeled and compared that there is good agreement between the modeling results and experimental results from the litterature. The results of this study showed that the solar cell efficiency is increased by about 25% compared to the reference cell by using photonic crystal. The open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, fill factor and conversion efficiency of proposed solar cell structure are 1.01 V, 40.7 mA/cm2, 0.95 and 27% under global AM 1.5 conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the influence of carrier lifetime variation in the absorber layer of proposed solar cell on the electrical characteristics was theoretically considered and investigated.

Stable Solar Cells Prepared from Dichlorosilane

1998 ◽  
Vol 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Yamamoto ◽  
W. Futako ◽  
K. Fukutani ◽  
M. Hagino ◽  
T. Sugawara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Buffer Layers ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Dilution ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Reactive Plasma ◽  
Plasma Species

ABSTRACTAmorphous silicon films and solar cell i-layers were prepared from dichlorosilane(DCS) by ECR- and VHF-CVD. The hydrogen content, the chlorine content and the band gap could be controlled by varying argon and hydrogen dilution. The interaction of energetic and reactive plasma species with substrates and other previously deposited layers was studied. DCS, ECR-CVD causes darkening of TCO substrates even when buffer layers and/or doped layers were previously deposited by RF-CVD. Therefore n-i-p solar cell structures were prepared on NiCr and subsequent p-i-n solar cells were prepared with VHF-CVD which did not causeTCO reduction or other reactions in previously deposited amorphous layers. Preliminary results indicate that the VHF-CVD solar cells are at least as stable as standard amorphous silicon solar cells.

Novel approaches of light management in thin-film silicon solar cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janez Krc ◽  
M. Zeman ◽  
A. Campa ◽  
F. Smole ◽  
M. Topic
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Photonic Crystal ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Wavelength Region ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Back Reflector ◽  
High Reflectance

AbstractIn order to improve light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells two novel approaches are investigated in this article: angle-selective management of light scattering inside the solar cell and wavelength-selective manipulation of high reflectance or transmittance of light. Diffraction gratings are analyzed as a representative of the first approach. Haze and angular distribution function of scattered (diffracted) light in reflection are measured for aluminum-based rectangular periodic gratings with different period and height of the rectangles. High haze values in specific wavelength region and scattering angles of the investigated gratings measured in air and water agree very well with the theoretical predictions. Considering the actual optical situation in microcrystalline silicon solar cells, optimal period and height of the rectangular gratings applied as a back reflector are calculated for obtaining the total reflection at the front interfaces. In the frame of the second approach, photonic-crystal-like structures are introduced. By means of optical simulations photonic-crystal-like structures are investigated for two possible applications: an intermediate reflector in a micromorph silicon solar cell with wavelength-selective reflectivity and a dielectric back reflector with a high reflectance in the long-wavelength region. The photonic crystal structure consisting of sequences of n-doped amorphous silicon and ZnO layers is designed for the efficient intermediate reflector. For the back reflector with a high reflectance the structures with intrinsic amorphous silicon, SiO2, MgF2 and TiO2 are proposed.

Improved metastability and performance of amorphous silicon solar cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Matsui ◽  
Adrien Bidiville ◽  
Hitoshi Sai ◽  
Takashi Suezaki ◽  
Mitsuhiro Matsumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Single Junction Solar Cell ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

ABSTRACTWe show that high-efficiency and low-degradation hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) p-i-n solar cells can be obtained by depositing absorber layers in a triode-type plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. Although the deposition rate is relatively low (0.01-0.03 nm/s) compared to the conventional diode-type PECVD process (∼0.2 nm/s), the light-induced degradation in conversion efficiency of single-junction solar cell is substantially reduced (Δη/ηini∼10%) due to the suppression of light-induced metastable defects in the a-Si:H absorber layer. So far, we have attained an independently-confirmed stabilized efficiency of 10.11% for a 220-nm-thick a-Si:H solar cell which was light soaked under 1 sun illumination for 1000 hours at cell temperature of 50°C. We further demonstrate that stabilized efficiencies as high as 10% can be maintained even when the solar cell is thickened to >300 nm.

Improved stability of amorphous silicon solar cells with p-type nanocrystalline silicon carbide window layer

2012 ◽  
Vol 520 (7) ◽  
pp. 3096-3099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Kuan Chang ◽  
Wei-Tse Hsu ◽  
Po-Tsung Hsieh ◽  
Chun-Hsiung Lu ◽  
Chih-Hung Yeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silicon Carbide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Nanocrystalline Silicon ◽  
Window Layer ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Improved Stability ◽  
Nanocrystalline Silicon Carbide ◽  
P Type
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