Characterisation of rough reflecting substrates incorporated into thin‐film silicon solar cells

Daudrix, V.; Guillet, J.; Freitas, F.; Shah, A.; Ballif, Christophe; Winkler, P. F.; Ferreloc, M.; Benagli, S.; Niquille, X.; Fischer, D.; Morf, R.

doi:10.1002/pip.681

Cited by 29 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…A direct relation exists between the microscopic features of a texture such as roughness and its light scattering performance and resulting increase in photocurrent of a deposited PV cell [31]. The topography of the texturized samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).…”

Section: Characterization Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

UV-nanoimprint lithography and large area roll-to-roll texturization with hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites for light-trapping applications

Lazo

Teuscher

Leterrier

et al. 2012

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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Section: Characterization Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

UV-nanoimprint lithography and large area roll-to-roll texturization with hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites for light-trapping applications

Lazo

Teuscher

Leterrier

et al. 2012

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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“…The light trapping properties in a-Si:H nip solar cells on a variety of substrate structures have previously been reported by Daudrix et al 38 Using textured LP-CVD ZnO front contacts, the authors reported current enhancements up to 16% with respect to cells on flat substrates. Summarising our results on light trapping in a-Si:H Section 'LP-CVD ZnO and ITO Front Contacts for Thin Absorber (a-Si:H)', we find current enhancements between 8 and 18%, depending on the combination of back contact texture and the choice of front contact.…”

Section: Light Trapping and Device Performancesmentioning

confidence: 72%

TCOs for nip thin film silicon solar cells

Söderström

Haug

Niquille

et al. 2008

Progress in Photovoltaics

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Substrate configuration allows for the deposition of thin film silicon (Si) solar cells on non-transparent substrates such as plastic sheets or metallic foils. In this work, we develop processes compatible with low T g plastics. The amorphous Si (a-Si:H) and microcrystalline Si (mc-Si:H) films are deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, at very high excitation frequencies (VHF-PECVD). We investigate the optical behaviour of single and triple junction devices prepared with different back and front contacts. The back contact consists either of a 2D periodic grid with moderate slope, or of low pressure CVD (LP-CVD) ZnO with random pyramids of various sizes. The front contacts are either a 70 nm thick, nominally flat ITO or a rough 2 mm thick LP-CVD ZnO. We observe that, for a-Si:H, the cell performance depends critically on the combination of thin flat or thick rough front TCOs and the back contact. Indeed, for a-Si:H, a thick LP-CVD ZnO front contact provides more light trapping on the 2D periodic substrate. Then, we investigate the influence of the thick and thin TCOs in conjunction with thick absorbers (mc-Si:H). Because of the different nature of the optical systems (thick against thin absorber layer), the antireflection effect of ITO becomes more effective and the structure with the flat TCO provides as much light trapping as the rough LP-CVD ZnO. Finally, the conformality of the layers is investigated and guidelines are given to understand the effectiveness of the light trapping in devices deposited on periodic gratings.

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“…Efficient thin film solar cells based on photoabsorbers like amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) require effective light trapping over the entire visible spectrum, especially in the region of red light [4,5]. The absorption curve for a-Si:H material gradually falls in the red spectrum region (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon nanotube arrays for optical design of amorphous silicon solar cells

et al. 2008

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Effective light trapping is essential for the conversion efficiency increase in thin film solar cells. Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) arrays with proper spacing form an ideal light trapping structure. In this work, we have demonstrated feasibility of the incorporation of MWNTs as back contact into amorphous silicon solar cells. Intrinsic amorphous silicon films were uniformly deposited onto vertically aligned MWNTs arrays. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology of our films. The film surface area exposed to light was found to be increased dramatically due to the high-aspect ratio of MWNTs. Our findings open up a new way of managing light in thin film silicon solar cells by controlling the nano-geometry of MWNTs on substrates.

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Characterisation of rough reflecting substrates incorporated into thin‐film silicon solar cells

Cited by 29 publications

References 8 publications

UV-nanoimprint lithography and large area roll-to-roll texturization with hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites for light-trapping applications

UV-nanoimprint lithography and large area roll-to-roll texturization with hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites for light-trapping applications

TCOs for nip thin film silicon solar cells

Carbon nanotube arrays for optical design of amorphous silicon solar cells

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