scholarly journals Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Cells and Energy Efficiency

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Santina Di Salvo
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Nanometer Scale ◽  
Manufacturing Costs ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
New Research ◽  
Photovoltaic Technologies ◽  
Research Facilities

Abstract. The intent of this paper is to connect science and technology in order to demonstrate how, in the field of on photovoltaic technologies, thin film solar cells have been the focus of many research facilities in recent years that are working to decrease manufacturing costs and increase cell efficiency. New research suggests that it might be possible to add a nanoscopic relief pattern to the surface of solar cells that makes them non-reflective significantly boosting efficiency and at the same time making them highly non-stick and self-cleaning. The paper presents the challenges and approaches to engineer the active layer of the cell, in order to obtain cells made up of components assembled with precision on the nanometer scale and with such properties as to increase the yield of conversion of solar radiation into electricity.

Thin‐film solar cells exceeding 22% solar cell efficiency: An overview on CdTe-, Cu(In,Ga)Se2-, and perovskite-based materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 041602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Powalla ◽  
Stefan Paetel ◽  
Erik Ahlswede ◽  
Roland Wuerz ◽  
Cordula D. Wessendorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

scholarly journals Progress in Thin Film Solar Cells Based onCu2ZnSnS4

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongxia Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Czts Thin Films ◽  
New Research ◽  
Light Absorbers

The research in thin film solar cells has been dominated by light absorber materials based on CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)Se2(CIGS) in the last several decades. The concerns of environment impact of cadmium and the limited availability of indium in those materials have driven the research towards developing new substitute light absorbers made from earth abundant, environment benign materials. Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) semiconductor material has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for this aim and has attracted considerable interest recently. Significant progress in this relatively new research area has been achieved in the last three years. Over 130 papers on CZTS have been published since 2007, and the majority of them are on the preparation of CZTS thin films by different methods. This paper, will review the wide range of techniques that have been used to deposit CZTS semiconductor thin films. The performance of the thin film solar cells using the CZTS material will also be discussed.

Exploring the p-n junction region in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells at the nanometer-scale

2012 ◽  
Vol 101 (18) ◽  
pp. 181603 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Cojocaru-Mirédin ◽  
P. Choi ◽  
R. Wuerz ◽  
D. Raabe
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Nanometer Scale ◽  
Junction Region

scholarly journals A novel MoS2-based hybrid film as the back electrode for high-performance thin film solar cells

RSC Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (38) ◽  
pp. 23415-23421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Yuan ◽  
Ming-Jian Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyang Yang ◽  
Zongwei Mei ◽  
Yongji Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Work Function ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Hybrid Film ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
High Work Function ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
High Work ◽  
Complex Film

A MoS2-based complex film was developed with a high work function and thickness-dependent conductivity, which greatly improved the CdTe cell efficiency.

Control of Ablation Depth and Surface Structure in P3 Scribing of Thin-Film Solar Cells by a Picosecond Laser

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Yunfeng Cao ◽  
Qiong Nian ◽  
Gary Cheng ◽  
Yung C. Shin
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Picosecond Laser ◽  
Ablation Depth ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Temperature Model ◽  
Periodic Surface ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Overlap Ratio ◽  
Two Temperature

In this paper, precise P3 scribing of thin-film solar cells (AZO/CIGS/Mo/Glass) via a picosecond laser is investigated. A parametric study is carried out for P3 scribing to study the effects of laser fluence and overlap ratio on ablation depth and slot quality, supported by the numerical prediction using a two-temperature model. The optimum scribing conditions are determined, and the potential processing speed is increased. Laser induced periodic surface structures are also presented after the scribing process, which can potentially enhance the absorption of the cell surface and consequently increase the cell efficiency.

scholarly journals Photovoltaics with Emphasis on CdTe Solar Cells and Modules

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Bosio
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Polycrystalline Thin Film ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Cdte Solar Cells ◽  
High Efficiency Solar Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Technologies

A brief overview of the main photovoltaic technologies is chronologically presented. Single-crystal and multi-crystalline, epitaxial and thin film inorganic materials are widely used as absorbers in high efficiency solar cells and modules. A schematic representation of the principal devices developed in more then 70 years of research will be displayed and commented. Among thin-film technology, cadmium telluride (CdTe) has achieved a truly impressive development that can commercially compete with silicon, which is still the king of the market. Solar cells made on a laboratory scale have reached efficiencies close to 22%, while modules made with fully automated in-line machines show efficiencies above 18%. Based on the research developed in our laboratory, the fabrication processes of both CdTe polycrystalline thin-film solar cells and photovoltaic modules are critically discussed. The most common substrates, the constituent layers and their interaction, the interfaces and the different “tricks” commonly used for obtaining highly efficient devices will be analyzed. A realistic industrial production process will be analytically described.

Broadband Light Harvesting Enhancement in Thin Film Solar Cells with Surface and Back Reflector Grating Nanostructures

2013 ◽  
Vol 827 ◽  
pp. 125-130
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Xiang Yin Li ◽  
Li Yong Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Transverse Magnetic ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Normal Surface ◽  
Average Cell ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Dielectric Gratings ◽  
Back Reflector

Nanostructures with top subwavelength hybrid dielectric gratings and metallic triangle back reflector in Si thin film solar cells (TFSCs) are introduced in this paper. Compared with the studied light-trapping structures with normal surface and bottom gratings, our optimized structure has a better performance. We can achieve above 26 percent average cell efficiency enhancement in contrast to the normal flat cells and about 40 percent increase with the transverse magnetic (TM) polarized irradiation only.

Control of Ablation Depth and Surface Structure in P3 Scribing of Thin-Film Solar Cells by a Picosecond Laser

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Yunfeng Cao ◽  
Qiong Nian ◽  
Gary Cheng ◽  
Yung C. Shin
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Picosecond Laser ◽  
Ablation Depth ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Temperature Model ◽  
Periodic Surface ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Overlap Ratio ◽  
Two Temperature

In this paper, precise P3 scribing of thin-film solar cells (AZO/CIGS/Mo/Glass) via a picosecond laser is investigated. A parametric study is carried out for P3 scribing to study the effects of laser fluence and overlap ratio on ablation depth and slot quality, supported by the numerical prediction using a two-temperature model. The optimum scribing conditions are determined, and the potential processing speed is increased. Laser induced periodic surface structures are also presented after the scribing process, which can potentially enhance the absorption of the cell surface and consequently increase the cell efficiency.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document