Crystalline silicon solar cells with thin poly‐SiO_x carrier‐selective passivating contacts for perovskite/c‐Si tandem applications

Abstract

Single junction crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells are reaching their practical efficiency limit whereas perovskite/c-Si tandem solar cells have achieved efficiencies above the theoretical limit of single junction c-Si solar cells. Next to low-thermal budget silicon heterojunction architecture, high-thermal budget carrier-selective passivating contacts (CSPCs) based on polycrystalline-SiO x (poly-SiO x ) also constitute a promising architecture for high efficiency perovskite/c-Si tandem solar cells. In this work, we present the development of c-Si bottom cells based on high temperature poly-SiO x CSPCs and demonstrate novel high efficiency four-terminal (4T) and two-terminal (2T) perovskite/c-Si tandem solar cells. First, we tuned the ultra-thin, thermally grown SiO x . Then we optimized the passivation properties of p-type and n-type doped poly-SiO x CSPCs. Here, we have optimized the p-type doped poly-SiO x CSPC on textured interfaces via a two-step annealing process. Finally, we integrated such bottom solar cells in both 4T and 2T tandems, achieving 28.1% and 23.2% conversion efficiency, respectively.

Advancements in Photovoltaic Cell Materials: Silicon, Organic, and Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Another significant contribution comes from Singh et al [ 10 ] and presents the creation of c-Si bottom cells using high-temperature polycrystalline-SiOx (poly-SiOx) carrier-selective passivating contacts (CSPCs), a promising approach for high-efficiency tandem cells (see Figure 1 ). The research involved tuning ultra-thin SiOx layers and optimizing the passivation of both p-type and n-type doped poly-SiOx CSPCs, with a focus on p-type doped poly-SiOx CSPCs on textured interfaces through a two-step annealing process.…”

“…Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 10 ], copyright 2023, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications.…”

Advancements in Photovoltaic Cell Materials: Silicon, Organic, and Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Another significant contribution comes from Singh et al [10] and presents the creation of c-Si bottom cells using high-temperature polycrystalline-SiOx (poly-SiOx) carrierselective passivating contacts (CSPCs), a promising approach for high-efficiency tandem cells (see Figure 1). The research involved tuning ultra-thin SiOx layers and optimizing the passivation of both p-type and n-type doped poly-SiOx CSPCs, with a focus on p-type doped poly-SiOx CSPCs on textured interfaces through a two-step annealing process.…”

Titanium Silicide: A Promising Candidate of Recombination Layer for Perovskite/Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact Silicon Two-Terminal Tandem Solar Cells

“…Figure S1 and Table S1 represent the homojunction-based tandem solar cells reported from 2015. Although the number of reported cases was lower than that of SHJ-based tandem solar cells, a gradual increase was observed in the number of publications recently. − In homojunction-based tandem solar cells, TCO materials such as ITO and IZO have been widely employed as recombination layers. − , In addition to the two aforementioned disadvantages of TCO, an additional TCO deposition process is required, which leads to high fabrication costs. Hence, the development of perovskite/TOPCon tandem solar cells with a TCO-free recombination layer is necessary.…”

“…Although the number of reported cases was lower than that of SHJ-based tandem solar cells, a gradual increase was observed in the number of publications recently. 29 − 36 In homojunction-based tandem solar cells, TCO materials such as ITO and IZO have been widely employed as recombination layers. 29 − 31 , 37 In addition to the two aforementioned disadvantages of TCO, an additional TCO deposition process is required, which leads to high fabrication costs.…”