Optimization and Modeling of Antireflective Layers for Silicon Solar Cells: In Search of Optimal Materials

Diop, Mamadou; Diaw, Alassane; Mbengue, Nacire; Ba, Ousmane; Diagne, Moulaye; Niasse, Oumar A.; Ba, Bassirou; Sarr, Joseph

doi:10.4236/msa.2018.98051

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…[30,31] The thickness of the ARC coating varies from 90 to 130 nm and is optimized according to Equation ( 1) and ( 2). [32] d ¼ λ 4n arc…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 30,31 ] The thickness of the ARC coating varies from 90 to 130 nm and is optimized according to Equation () and (). [ 32 ]

d = \textrm{ } \frac{\lambda}{4 n_{\text{arc}}}

n_{\text{arc}} = \sqrt{n_{0} n_{\text{s}}}

where λ is the desired wavelength of minimum reflection,

n_{\text{arc}}

is the refractive index of the anti‐reflection coating, and

n_{0}

(

n_{0} = 1

) and

n_{\text{s}}

(

n_{\text{Glass}} = 1.56 \text{ and } n_{\text{IZO}} = 2

) are the refractive index of air and substrate, respectively. The effect of the ARC is observed from the transmission spectrum of NIR‐transparent perovskite solar cell (Figure S2, Supporting Information).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable and Efficient Large‐Area 4T Si/perovskite Tandem Photovoltaics with Sputtered Transparent Contact

et al. 2023

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Si-perovskite tandem photovoltaic devices in the four-terminal (4T) configuration could proffer a solution to the problems associated with the stability gap between the component perovskite and Si devices. The fabrication of NIR-transparent perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with the stable triple cation perovskite as the photoabsorber and subsequent integration with a Si solar cell in a 4T tandem device is reported. The critical development of the sputtered top transparent conducting electrode (TCE) layer and oxide buffer layer at room temperature (25 °C) leads to reproducible, highly efficient NIR-transparent PSCs of both small area (0.175 cm 2 ) with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.1% and large area (0.805 cm 2 ) with PCE of 16.0%. Electrically disparate, optically coupled 4T tandem devices of the optimized PSCs with commercial monocrystalline PERC Si solar cells exhibit greater than 26% PCE. In addition to enabling industrycompatible TCE-based low-cost Si/perovskite tandem photovoltaics, this study could also be the gateway for the potential use in niche applications like building integrated photovoltaics.

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“…[30,31] The thickness of the ARC coating varies from 90 to 130 nm and is optimized according to Equation ( 1) and ( 2). [32] d ¼ λ 4n arc…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 30,31 ] The thickness of the ARC coating varies from 90 to 130 nm and is optimized according to Equation () and (). [ 32 ]

d = \textrm{ } \frac{\lambda}{4 n_{\text{arc}}}

n_{\text{arc}} = \sqrt{n_{0} n_{\text{s}}}

where λ is the desired wavelength of minimum reflection,

n_{\text{arc}}

is the refractive index of the anti‐reflection coating, and

n_{0}

(

n_{0} = 1

) and

n_{\text{s}}

(

n_{\text{Glass}} = 1.56 \text{ and } n_{\text{IZO}} = 2

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable and Efficient Large‐Area 4T Si/perovskite Tandem Photovoltaics with Sputtered Transparent Contact

et al. 2023

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“…The effectiveness of ARC thin film depends on various criteria such as the chosen material, number of layers, layer thickness, the incident angle of light, and wavelength range over which reflectance needs to be minimized [7] [8] [9] [10]. The effective index of refraction of ARC materials falls between the higher and lower indices of constituent materials in bulk state values [8] [9]. While a single layer of SiNx may reduce reflection by more than 20%, multiple layers are generally necessary for optimal performance [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antireflection Coating for Solar Cells Based on Graded-Index Materials

Adwan¹,

Shabat²,

Zoppi³

2023

JAMP

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The conversion of sunlight into electricity via photovoltaics presents tremendous opportunities for the generation of renewable energy. However, solar cells still face several challenges and limitations to further reduce manufacturing costs and increase module efficiency. Photon management is paramount to increase the efficiency of the mainstream silicon-based cell and always includes a suitable antireflection coating (ARC) structure to decrease the reflectance (R) at the top surface. We propose a novel triple-layer anti-reflective coating (TLAR) consisting of three layers sandwiched between the upper cover (glass) and the substrate (silicon). The inner three layers are graded refractive index material (GIM) as an active layer, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), and zinc sulfide (ZnS), respectively. The optical properties of the TLAR have been investigated using the transfer matrix method (TMM). The results of using GIM as the active medium lead to the reflection decaying to the minimum value, and the transmittance reaching the maximum values at a specific wavelength range. The proposed triple-layer anti-reflective coating (TLAR) structure presents a promising solution for enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. Its unique design and utilization of graded refractive index material (GIM) as the active layer make it a novel and innovative approach that holds great potential for advancing solar cell technology.

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“…These solar cells are low cost, highly efficient, and long-lasting with a lifespan of around 20-25 years [6,7]. Yet, Si has high surface reflectivity, leading to large optical losses even with the current antireflection coatings (ARCs) used with commercial products [8,9]. Therefore, an optimized and highly efficient ARC is still required to be incorporated with Si solar cells to enhance their power conversion efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, even with the high open circuit voltage and photocurrent, Si solar cells still suffer from high optical losses due to surface reflections, which account for almost 37% of losses from the incident light [9,10]. Possible solutions for this issue are the use of surface modification techniques such as using ARC to enhance solar cell light collection [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Optimization of the Antireflective Coating Properties of Silicon Solar Cells by Using Response Surface Methodology

2021

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The design and optimization of a nanostructured antireflective coatings for Si solar cells were performed by using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM was employed to investigate the effect on the overall optical performance of silicon solar cells coated with three different nanoparticle materials of titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zinc oxide nanostructures. Central composite design was used for the optimization of the reflectance process and to study the main effects and interactions between the three process variables: nanomaterial type, the radius of nanoparticles, and wavelength of visible light. In this theoretical study, COMSOL Multiphysics was utilized to design the structures by using the wave optics module. The optical properties of the solar cell’s substrate and the three different nanomaterial types were studied. The results indicated that ZnO nanoparticles were the best antireflective coating candidate for Si, as the ZnO nanoparticles produced the lowest reflection values among the three nanomaterial types. The study reveals that the optimum conditions to reach minimum surface reflections for silicon solar cell were established by using ZnO nanoparticles with a radius of ~38 nm. On average, the reflectance reached ~5.5% along the visible spectral range, and approximately zero reflectance in the 550–600 nm range.

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Optimization and Modeling of Antireflective Layers for Silicon Solar Cells: In Search of Optimal Materials

Cited by 14 publications

References 20 publications

Stable and Efficient Large‐Area 4T Si/perovskite Tandem Photovoltaics with Sputtered Transparent Contact

Stable and Efficient Large‐Area 4T Si/perovskite Tandem Photovoltaics with Sputtered Transparent Contact

Antireflection Coating for Solar Cells Based on Graded-Index Materials

Design and Optimization of the Antireflective Coating Properties of Silicon Solar Cells by Using Response Surface Methodology

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