Nanostructured three-dimensional thin film silicon solar cells with very high efficiency potential

Vaněček, M.; Babchenko, Oleg; Purkrt, A.; Holovský, Jakub; Neyková, Neda; Poruba, A.; Remeš, Z.; Meier, J.; Kroll, U.

doi:10.1063/1.3583377

Cited by 99 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, it also displays a serious technical drawback, the so-called Staebler-Wronski effect (SWE) [1]. Indeed, were it not for their light-induced degradation, numerical simulations have predicted that a-Si:H based single junction solar cells could realistically display up to 12% conversion efficiency [2], thus competing with multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Generally, SWE is synonymous of light-induced creation of metastable defect states, a e-mail: ka-hyun.kim@polytechnique.edu which work as recombination centers, and it mostly affects the intrinsic layer of PIN solar cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light induced electrical and macroscopic changes in hydrogenated polymorphous silicon solar cells

et al. 2012

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We report on light-induced electrical and macroscopic changes in hydrogenated polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) PIN solar cells. To explain the particular light-soaking behavior of such cells -namely an increase of the open circuit voltage (Voc) and a rapid drop of the short circuit current density (Jsc) -we correlate these effects to changes in hydrogen incorporation and structural properties in the layers of the cells. Numerous techniques such as current-voltage characteristics, infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen exodiffusion, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry are used to study the light-induced changes from microscopic to macroscopic scales (up to tens of microns). Such comprehensive use of complementary techniques lead us to suggest that light-soaking produces the diffusion of molecular hydrogen, hydrogen accumulation at p-layer/substrate interface and localized delamination of the interface. Based on these results we propose that light-induced degradation of PIN solar cells has to be addressed from not only as a material issue, but also a device point of view. In particular we bring experimental evidence that localized delamination at the interface between the p-layer and SnO2 substrate by light-induced hydrogen motion causes the rapid drop of Jsc.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light induced electrical and macroscopic changes in hydrogenated polymorphous silicon solar cells

et al. 2012

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“…Nowadays, light scattering at textured interfaces is the most successfully used approach to enhance the J sc [2]; all recent certified efficiency records reported for thin-film silicon solar cells [3] were achieved on a textured surface. In the meantime, other more exotic approaches with high potential using elongated architectures [4][5][6][7][8], photonic crystals [9,10] or plasmonic effects [11][12][13] are under development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study of flat light-scattering substrates in thin-film silicon solar cells

Söderström

Bugnon

Haug

et al. 2012

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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a b s t r a c tIn this work, a novel type of substrate for thin-film silicon solar cells is studied. The substrate has the advantage of being physically flat to allow the growth of cells with excellent material quality while being optically rough for enhanced light trapping that leads to high short-circuit current density. The substrate is made of rough zinc oxide (ZnO) which is grown on a flat silver reflector. The ZnO is then covered with amorphous silicon and the stack is polished to expose the tips of the pyramidal ZnO surface. The ZnO embedded in the amorphous matrix provides the desirable scattering of light while the surface onto which the cell is deposited is flat and allows for the growth of good-quality material.We present results of $ 4 mm thick microcrystalline silicon solar cells prepared on such substrates with high open-circuit voltages of 520 mV. We also demonstrate a large relative efficiency gain of 10% compared to a state-of-the-art cell which is grown directly on an optimized textured substrate.

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“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] From a modelling point of view, periodic structures pose fewer difficulties than random ones; consequently, many reports on rigorous calculations appeared. [14][15][16][17][18][19] While increasing computing power made the modelling faster and more accurate over the years, the understanding of the actual mechanisms of light trapping is still limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffraction and absorption enhancement from textured back reflectors of thin film solar cells

Haug

Naqavi

Ballif

2012

Journal of Applied Physics

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Exploiting piezoelectric charge for high performance graded InGaN nanowire solar cells Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 143905 (2012) Design principles for plasmonic thin film GaAs solar cells with high absorption enhancement J. Appl. Phys. 112, 054326 (2012) Optical absorptions in AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs quantum well for solar energy application J. Appl. Phys. 112, 054314 (2012) Analyzing nanotextured transparent conductive oxides for efficient light trapping in silicon thin film solar cells Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 103903 (2012) Additional information on J. Appl. Phys. We study light scattering and absorption in thin film solar cells, using a model system of a sinusoidally textured silver reflector and dielectric layers of ZnO and amorphous silicon. Experimental results are compared to a theoretical model based on a Rayleigh expansion. Taking into account the explicit interface profile, the expansion converges fast and can be truncated typically after three or four orders. At the same time, the use of realistic permittivity data correctly reproduces the intensity of diffracted orders as well as the coupling to guided modes and surface plasmon polariton resonances at the silver surface. The coupling phenomena behind the light trapping process can therefore be assessed in a simple, yet accurate manner. V C 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx

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Nanostructured three-dimensional thin film silicon solar cells with very high efficiency potential

Cited by 99 publications

References 7 publications

Light induced electrical and macroscopic changes in hydrogenated polymorphous silicon solar cells

Light induced electrical and macroscopic changes in hydrogenated polymorphous silicon solar cells

Experimental study of flat light-scattering substrates in thin-film silicon solar cells

Diffraction and absorption enhancement from textured back reflectors of thin film solar cells

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