scholarly journals 9.1% efficient zinc oxide/silicon solar cells on a 50 μm thick Si absorber

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 766-774
Author(s):  
Rafal Pietruszka ◽  
Bartlomiej S Witkowski ◽  
Monika Ozga ◽  
Katarzyna Gwozdz ◽  
Ewa Placzek-Popko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Zinc Oxide Nanorods ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Zinc Oxide Film ◽  
Current Voltage

Today, silicon solar cells (amorphous films and wafer-based) are a main source of green energy. These cells and their components are produced by employing various technologies. Unfortunately, during the production process, chemicals that are harmful for the environment and for human life are used. For example, hydrofluoric acid is used to texture the top electrode to improve light harvesting. In this work, and also in recent ones, we report a way to obtain 3D textures on the top electrode by using zinc oxide nanorods. The efficiency of a textured solar cell structure is compared with the one obtained for a planar zinc oxide/silicon structure. The present results show the possibility to produce efficient solar cells on a relatively thin 50 μm thick silicon substrate. Solar cells with structured top electrodes were examined by numerous measuring techniques. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a grain-like morphology of the magnesium-doped zinc oxide film. The size of the grains is closely related to the structure of the nanorods. The external quantum efficiency of the cells was measured. The obtained solar cell shows response in a wide spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared. Current–voltage and current–voltage–temperature measurements were performed to evaluate basic photovoltaic parameters. At room temperature, the cells efficiency equals to 9.1% for textured structures and 5.4% for planar structures, respectively. The work, therefore, describes an environmentally friendly technology for PV architecture with surface textures increasing the efficiency of PV cells.

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.

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.

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.

Optimisation of zinc oxide nanorods for use in dye sensitised solar cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 401-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Lim ◽  
H Q Le ◽  
G K L Goh ◽  
K K Lin ◽  
S B Dolmanan
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Zinc Oxide Nanorods ◽  
Oxide Nanorods

Contact fault characterisation of complex silicon solar cells: a guideline based on current voltage characteristics and luminescence imaging

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Padilla ◽  
Christian Reichel ◽  
Nikolaus Hagedorn ◽  
Andreas Fell ◽  
Roman Keding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Luminescence Imaging ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Current Voltage Characteristics

scholarly journals Morphological Study of Zinc-Oxide Nanorods Grown by Hot Water Treatment Suitable for Solar Cells Conversion Efficiency Enhancement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Khairul Basher ◽  
S. M. Shah Riyadh ◽  
Md. Khalid Hossain ◽  
Mahmudul Hassan ◽  
Md. Abdur Rafiq Akand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Zno Nanorods ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Zinc Oxide Nanorods ◽  
Hot Water Treatment ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Zinc Surface

Zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanostructures including nanorods are currently considered as a pioneer research of interest world-wide due to their excellent application potentials in various applied fields especially for the improvement of energy harvesting photovoltaic solar cells (PSC). We report on the growth and morphological properties of zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown on the surface of plain zinc (non-etched and chemically etched) plates by using a simple, economical, and environment-friendly technique. We apply hot water treatment (HWT) technique to grow the ZnO nanorods and varies the process parameters, such as temperature and the process time duration. The morphological, and elemental analysis confirm the agglomeration of multiple ZnO nanorods with its proper stoichiometry. The obtained nanostructures for different temperatures with different time duration showed the variation in uniformity, density, thickness and nanonorods size. The ZnO nanorods produced on the etched zinc surface were found thicker and uniform as compared to those grown on the non-etched zinc surface. This chemically etched Zinc plates preparation can be an easy solution to grow ZnO nanorods with high density and uniformity suitable for PSC applications such as to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) solar cells towards the future sustainable green earth.

scholarly journals DYNAMIC RESEARCH OF SOLAR CELLS / DINAMINIS SAULĖS ELEMENTO TYRIMAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-522
Author(s):  
Vytautas Makarskas ◽  
Mindaugas Jurevičius ◽  
Artūras Kilikevičius
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Modal Analysis ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Mechanical Vibrations ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Solar Cell Structure ◽  
Cell Stability ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation

Solar cells are one of the most popular renewable energy generation technologies, because they are reliable, low operating and maintenance costs, to conclude without any moving parts and is a boundless source of energy. In any solar cell can avoid mechanical vibrations, which may produce the solar cell glass, damage to the inner structure. In order to determine the influence of mechanical vibrations of the solar cell structure was carried out theoretical and experimental modal analysis. The study found dangerous solar cell frequencies and their deformation and optimize the method of attachment which provides a better solar cell stability. Saulės elementai – vieni populiariausių atsinaujinančių energijos gavybos technologijų, nes jie patikimi, jų mažos eksploatavimo ir priežiūros išlaidos, šie elementai sudaryti be jokių judančių dalių ir yra beribis energijos šaltinis. Bet saulės elementas neišvengia mechaninių virpesių, kurie gali įskelti saulės elemento stiklą, pažeisti vidinę konstrukciją. Siekiant nustatyti mechaninių virpesių įtaką saulės elemento konstrukcijai, buvo atliktos teorinės ir eksperimentinės modalinės analizės. Tyrime buvo rasti pavojingi saulės elemento dažniai ir jų deformacijos, rastas optimalus tvirtinimo būdas, kuris suteikia geresnį saulės elemento stabilumą.

scholarly journals Simulation mechanical stress influence to silicon solar cells by Comsol Multiphysics

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-472
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Comsol Multiphysics ◽  
Silicon Solar Cells ◽  
Stress Influence

We know the mechanical properties of silicon. However, little is known about the mechanical properties of silicon solar cells. Modeling is widely used in the study of solar cells. This article discusses in detail the effect of mechanical stress on solar cells. To do this, a model of the solar cell was created and simulated at Comsol Multiphysics. The results were presented visually and graphically. The results were tested for relevance and accuracy

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