Thin‐Film Silicon Solar Cells

Sopori, Bhushan

doi:10.1002/0470014008.ch8

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…For instance, prototype intermediate-band solar cells (IBSCs) fabricated with quantum-dot (QD) absorbers feature low absorbance for infrared wavelengths [1]. Incomplete absorption also affects the performance of thin film silicon solar cells [2]. On the other hand, upconversion effects that have been proposed to make use of sub-bandgap wavelengths in silicon need high electromagnetic densities to be efficient [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light intensity enhancement inside the grooves of metallic gratings

2010

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Light absorption inside the grooves of metallic gratings filled with a semiconductor material can be improved by means of the electric field enhancement. To this end, the influence of grating dimensions in the electric field spectral behavior is theoretically investigated. Two conditions of cavity resonance have been analyzed separately: (1) for TE polarization (electric field parallel to the grooves) and (2) for TM polarization (magnetic field parallel to the grooves). When dimensions are chosen according to the first condition, the enhancement of TE fields is found to increase with the height to width ratio, and it is accompanied with a decrease in the bandwidth. The same enhancement levéis can be achieved for TM fields if the second condition holds, provided that the period to width ratio is large enough. The simultaneous enhancement of TE and TM fields, based on a condition of surface resonance excitation, can also be accomplished. In this case, the TM response is very sensitive to changes in groove depth and width.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light intensity enhancement inside the grooves of metallic gratings

2010

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“…This type of contact is an improvement of the conventional front-to-back contact [57], [92], [96], [128]. Both contacts are placed at the back of the cell which increases the surface of cell exposed to direct sunlight.…”

Section: Back/rear Contactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of photovoltaic module technologies for increased performance in tropical climate

Ogbomo

Amalu

Ekere

et al. 2017

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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The global adoption and use of photovoltaic modules (PVMs) as the main source of energy is the key to realising the UN Millennium Development Goals on Green Energy. The technology -projected to contribute about 20% of world energy supply by 2050, over 60% by 2100 and leading to 50% reduction in global CO 2 emissions -is threatened by its poor performance in tropical climate. Such performance discourages its regional acceptance. The magnitude of crucial module performance influencing factors (cell temperature, wind speed and relative humidity) reach critical values of 90°C, 0.2 m/s and 85%, respectively in tropical climates which negatively impact module performance indices which include power output (PO), power conversion efficiency (PCE) and energy payback time (EPBT). This investigation reviews PVM technologies which include cell, contact and interconnection technologies. It identifies critical technology route(s) with potential to increase operational reliability of PVMs in the tropics when adopted. The cell performance is measured by PO, PCE and EPBT while contacts and interconnections performance is measured by the degree of recombination, shading losses and also the rate of thermo-mechanical degradation. It is found that the mono-crystalline cell has the best PCE of 25% while the Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) cell has the lowest EPBT of 8-months. Results show that the poly-crystalline cell has the largest market share amounting to 54%. The CdTe cell exhibits 0% drop in PCE at high-temperatures and low irradiance operations -demonstrating least affected PO by the conditions. Further results establish that back contacts and back-to-back interconnection technologies produce the least recombination losses and demonstrate absence of shading in addition to possessing longest interconnection fatigue life. Based on these findings, the authors propose a PVM comprising CdTe cell, back contacts and backto-back interconnection technologies as the technology with latent capacity to produce improved performance in tropical climates. Keywordsphotovoltaic modules; solar cell technology; contact technology; interconnection technology; energy payback time; power conversion efficiency; fatigue life. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 2 *Manuscript Click here to view linked References IntroductionThe annual electrical power consumption of the entire planet can be generated by the sun in just one hour [1]. Thus, solar energy is abundant in addition to being clean, sustainable and renewable [2], [3]. Surprisingly, some parts of the world are still struggling to meet their energy needs. It may suffice to say that the regions experiencing energy issues may be having energy conversion problems rather than energy supply problems [2], [4]. It is projected that if 100% exploitation of the energy potentials of the sun ca...

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“…27,28 At present, the best Si TFSC have comparable performance to a-Si or nc-Si devices, which is significantly less than c-Si wafer cells due to the deleterious effects of grain boundaries and surfaces. While there is pilot production of 1Á4 mm thick c-Si modules on glass aiming at reported 7-8% stable efficiencies at CSG Solar, lack of a product or extensive manufacturing at this time removes them from further consideration in this paper, but certainly should not detract attention from their future efforts.…”

Section: Si Filmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin film solar modules: the low cost, high throughput and versatile alternative to Si wafers

Hegedus

2006

Progress in Photovoltaics

162

106

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Thin film solar cells (TFSC) have passed adolescence and are ready to make a substantial contribution to the world's electricity generation. They can have advantages over c-Si solar modules in ease of large area, lower cost manufacturing and in several types of applications. Factors which limit TFSC module performance relative to champion cell performance are discussed along with the importance of increased throughput and yield. The consensus of several studies is that all TFSC can achieve costs below 1 $/W if manufactured at sufficiently large scale >100 MW using parallel lines of cloned equipment with high material utilization and spray-on encapsulants. There is significant new commercial interest in TFSC from small investors and large corporations, validating the thin film approach. Unique characteristics are discussed which give TFSC an advantage over c-Si in two specific markets: small rural solar home systems and building integrated photovoltaic installations. TFSC have outperformed c-Si in annual energy production (kWhrs/kW), have demonstrated outdoor durability comparable to c-Si and are being used in MW scale installations worldwide. The merits of the thin film approach cannot be judged on the basis of efficiency alone but must also account for module performance and potential for low cost. TFSC advocates should promote their unique virtues compared to c-Si: lower cost, higher kWhr/kW output, higher battery charging current, attractive visual appearance, flexible substrates, long-term stability comparable to c-Si, and multiple pathways for deposition with room for innovation and evolutionary improvement. There is a huge market for TFSC even at today's efficiency if costs can be reduced. A brief window of opportunity exists for TFSC over the next few years due the Si shortage. The demonstrated capabilities and advantages of TFSC must be proclaimed more persistently to funding decision-makers and customers without minimizing the remaining challenges.

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Thin‐Film Silicon Solar Cells

Cited by 17 publications

References 52 publications

Light intensity enhancement inside the grooves of metallic gratings

Light intensity enhancement inside the grooves of metallic gratings

A review of photovoltaic module technologies for increased performance in tropical climate

Thin film solar modules: the low cost, high throughput and versatile alternative to Si wafers

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