Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhisen Huang, Bo Wang
Summary: This paper proposes a high-efficiency silicon-based thin-film solar cell based on double-layer nano-pyramid arrays. The optical and electrical parameters of the cell are analyzed and compared with a planar solar cell. The results show that the double-layer nano-pyramid structure has excellent light absorption and photoelectric conversion efficiency, which is of great significance for improving the performance of silicon-based thin-film solar cells.
ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Phoebe M. Pearce, Eduardo Camarillo Abad, Louise C. Hirst
Summary: Integration of a rear surface nanophotonic grating can enhance the photocurrent in ultra-thin solar cells. Transparent gratings made of dielectric materials and high bandgap semiconductors offer efficient diffraction and lower parasitic absorption. The maximum photocurrent in these gratings depends on the optical constants of the materials used, regardless of the grating dimensions. However, optimization of the grating dimensions is still necessary to maximize the photocurrent for a given active layer thickness.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Almenabawy, Yibo Zhang, Andrew Flood, Rajiv Prinja, Nazir P. Kherani
Summary: The usage of ultrathin flexible silicon foil can further extend the functionality of silicon in building and vehicle-integrated photovoltaics. In this study, inverted pyramid photonic crystals are carved on silicon to enhance its absorption of near-infrared light. The results show that a small mesa width of 35 nm can achieve high optical performance, and even after removing over 90% of the silicon from thick Si wafers, high optical absorption is still observed.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Purevlkham Myagmarsereejid, Malaika Ingram, Munkhbayar Batmunkh, Yu Lin Zhong
Summary: Sb2S3 as a solar absorber material has attracted great interest due to its excellent photovoltaic properties, and efforts have been made to enhance the efficiency of Sb2S3 solar cells using approaches like interfacial, surface, and band-gap engineering, as well as doping strategies. Doping strategies show promise in controlling band gap, film morphology, and grain boundary passivation, leading to improved carrier transport, addressing one of the most challenging issues in this field.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Waqas Farooq, Muhammad Ali Musarat, Javed Iqbal, Syed Asfandyar Ali Kazmi, Adnan Daud Khan, Wesam Salah Alaloul, Abdullah O. Baarimah, Ashraf Y. Elnaggar, Sherif S. M. Ghoneim, Ramy N. R. Ghaly
Summary: This paper presents a numerical modeling study on thin-film organic solar cells with distributed Bragg reflector pairs, showing that implementing three DBR pairs can significantly enhance power conversion efficiency.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yudai Yamashita, Kaori Takayanagi, Kazuhiro Gotoh, Kaoru Toko, Noritaka Usami, Takashi Suemasu
Summary: The study found that Zn1-xGexOy films can serve as excellent interlayers for BaSi2, providing high photoresponsivity and effective surface passivation, thereby reducing carrier recombination rate.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
K. P. Sreejith, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Prabir Kanti Basu, Anil Kottantharayil
Summary: A comprehensive comparative analysis of acid textured and MACE nano-textured mc-Si solar cells showed that the MACE cells have marginally higher performance in terms of short circuit current and fill factor, attributed to significantly lower surface reflectance and lower series resistance. The results suggest the potential for further reduction of contact resistance in mono-crystalline silicon cell technology by using MACE.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiafan Zhang, Linfeng Lu, Juan Zhang, Sha Li, Xiaoming Hua, Xiangrong Zhu, Yi-An Ding, Yinyue Lin, Shan -Ting Zhang, Dongdong Li
Summary: The application of zinc-doped indium oxide (IZO) thin films obtained by room-temperature sputtering in monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells is studied. IZO thin films with resistivity and electron mobility of 7.2 x 10-4 Omega cm and 40.03 cm2/Vs were obtained under 85W and implemented in monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, achieving a PCE of 19.38%.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuerui Han, Chengwu Shi, Yuye Huang, Kai Lv, Wangchao Chen, Fuling Guo, Yanqing Wang
Summary: CdS thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD), and Sb2S3-y Se (y) thin films were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The quality of CdS thin films as the electron transport layer was evaluated in solar cells with the architecture of FTO/CdS/Sb2S3-y Se (y)/spiro-OMeTAD/Au. A precise preparation strategy, involving adjusting the thickness of CdS thin films prepared by CBD and changing the concentration of the CdCl2 methanol solution in the post-treatment process, was proposed for the first time. The strategy allowed for the successful production of a compact and full-coverage CdS thin film with a thickness of 40 nm and achieved an optimal power conversion efficiency of 8.46%.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Chao Chen, Kanghua Li, Jiang Tang
Summary: This article presents the major milestones in the development of antimony selenide thin film solar cells, including their selection and application, device structure, processing methods, orientation control, defect studies, and methods for defect passivation. The article also discusses the application of this technology in flexible devices and its future prospects.
Article
Optics
M. Merkel, J. Imbrock, C. Denz
Summary: Novel diffractive surface structures were designed, evaluated, and optimized to achieve a significant increase in current density in organic solar cells. After comparing different surface patterns and further parameter optimization, a final current density enhancement of 5% was achieved.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sunghyun Moon, Kangho Kim, Youngjo Kim, Ho Kwan Kang, Kyung-Ho Park, Jaejin Lee
Summary: By transferring ultrathin Ge single-junction solar cell structures onto flexible substrates using an epitaxial lift-off method, a novel lattice-matched thin-film InGaP/(In)GaAs/Ge tandem solar cell with high efficiency, low cost, and lightweight properties can be achieved.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mahmoud H. Elshorbagy, Pablo A. Sanchez, Alexander Cuadrado, Javier Alda, Oscar Esteban
Summary: Incorporating an optimized nano-dimer structure into a-Si:H ultra-thin solar cells can significantly enhance the deliverable short-circuit current and reduce the total reflectance by about 50%. The nano-dimer structure made of high-index refractive material like GaP plays a key role in efficiently scattering light and increasing absorption in the active layer.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Mohammad Ali Shameli, Leila Yousefi
Summary: A new method utilizing multi-scale photonic topological insulators to enhance sunlight absorption in thin film solar cells is proposed in this paper, and full wave numerical analysis demonstrates significant improvement in short circuit current of the solar cell.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbo Lu, Zongbao Li, Mingjie Feng, Hui-Juan Yan, Bin Yan, Liyan Hu, Xing Zhang, Shunchang Liu, Jin-Song Hu, Ding-Jiang Xue
Summary: Elemental selenium has regained attention as a potential photovoltaic material due to its wide bandgap, non-toxic composition, and environmental stability. By modifying its wettability and understanding its air stability mechanism, researchers have successfully fabricated efficient selenium solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Klaus Jaeger, Peter Tillmann, Eugene A. Katz, Christiane Becker
Summary: By considering luminescent coupling, it is found that the energy output of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells is higher in bifacial operation mode. Furthermore, the importance of developing optimal perovskite materials is highlighted under the conditions of optimal bandgap and high-quality materials.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Klaus Jaeger, Johannes Sutter, Martin Hammerschmidt, Philipp-Immanuel Schneider, Christiane Becker
Summary: Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have shown promise in surpassing current efficiency limits in terrestrial photovoltaics, with efficiencies reaching over 29%. However, high-end perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells still face optical losses, and the preferred planar perovskite top cell solution-processing is often incompatible with the usual micropyramidal textures of silicon bottom cells. Research suggests that an intermediate texture design does not yield an optical benefit compared to optimized planar designs.
Article
Optics
Peter Tillmann, Benedikt Blaesi, Sven Burger, Martin Hammerschmidt, Oliver Hoehn, Christiane Becker, Klaus Jaeger
Summary: This work presents optical simulations of III-V-on-silicon solar cells with a metal grating for improved light trapping efficiency. The study demonstrates that the period of the grating is a critical parameter affecting its performance, which can be highly controlled during manufacturing using inference lithography. The results suggest a pathway to exceed the current world record efficiency of the III-V-on-silicon solar cell technology.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Guangtao Yang, Can Han, Paul Procel, Yifeng Zhao, Manvika Singh, Luana Mazzarella, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: The use of oxygen-alloyed poly-Si (poly-SiOx) as passivating material in crystalline silicon solar cells shows excellent passivation quality, carrier selectivity, and reduced optical losses, leading to improved cell efficiencies and potential for further enhancements in both V-OC and FF.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Juan Camilo Ortiz Lizcano, Paul Procel, Andres Calcabrini, Guangtao Yang, Andrea Ingenito, Rudi Santbergen, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: Building Integrated Photovoltaic systems have the potential to meet a significant portion of urban energy demands, but they are still considered niche technologies. This study explores the use of optic filters to provide new aesthetic pathways for the acceptance of photovoltaic panels in architecture, addressing limitations in restoration projects and new developments.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Benedikt Blaesi, Mario Hanser, Klaus Jaeger, Oliver Hoehn
Summary: Solar cells can enhance light trapping efficiency by utilizing gratings. We present an analytical model to optimize the grating period and provide guidelines for maximizing light trapping in high-end solar cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Can Han, Rudi Santbergen, Max Duffelen, Paul Procel, Yifeng Zhao, Guangtao Yang, Xiaodan Zhang, Miro Zeman, Luana Mazzarella, Olindo Isabella
Summary: Reducing the thickness of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) in bifacial silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells can lead to larger current and improved performance. In this study, we developed three types of In2O3-based TCOs (ITO, IFO, and IWO) with optimized thicknesses, each showing different opto-electrical properties. Our findings suggest that reducing TCO thickness benefits both monofacial and bifacial SHJ devices, and IWO and IFO are favorable for n-contact and p-contact, respectively. Using these optimized TCOs, we achieved front side efficiencies above 22% in bifacial SHJ solar cells, representing a significant TCO reduction compared to a reference solar cell.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peter Tillmann, Klaus Jaeger, Asher Karsenti, Lev Kreinin, Christiane Becker
Summary: This paper presents an energy yield calculation tool for (bifacial) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, validating each step with real-world data. The study finds that a bifacial module can achieve a 20% increase in energy yield compared to a monofacial module, and upgrading to a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell can potentially result in an additional 40% energy yield.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Victor Arturo Martinez Lopez, Ugne Zindziute, Hesan Ziar, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: Irradiance variability affects the operation of maximum power point trackers, leading to energy losses. Improper tuning of algorithm parameters can cause efficiency drop and systematic energy loss.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Philipp Tockhorn, Johannes Sutter, Alexandros Cruz, Philipp Wagner, Klaus Jaeger, Danbi Yoo, Felix Lang, Max Grischek, Bor Li, Jinzhao Li, Oleksandra Shargaieva, Eva Unger, Amran Al-Ashouri, Eike Koehnen, Martin Stolterfoht, Dieter Neher, Rutger Schlatmann, Bernd Rech, Bernd Stannowski, Steve Albrecht, Christiane Becker
Summary: Gentle sinusoidal nanotextures were designed to achieve high-efficiency perovskite-silicon solar cells, offering advantages such as reduced reflection losses, increased fabrication yield, and improved open-circuit voltage.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alba Alcaniz, Anders Lindfors, Miro Zeman, Hesan Ziar, Olindo Isabella
Summary: This study predicts the power of 48 PV systems around the world using machine learning and investigates the effect of climate on yield predictions. The results show that the performance ranking of the machine learning algorithms is independent of climate. Systems in dry climates have the lowest prediction error, while those in tropical climates have the highest.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sho Aonuki, Yudai Yamashita, Gianluca Limodio, Shunsuke Narita, Kaori Takayanagi, Ai Iwai, Kaoru Toko, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella, Takashi Suemasu
Summary: In this study, n-BaSi2 films were formed on p-Si substrates using ion implantation technique, and the solar-cell functionality of n-BaSi2/p-Si heterojunction was demonstrated under AM1.5 illumination. The results showed that the ion implantation damage could be recovered by postannealing, leading to high internal quantum efficiency.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Youri Blom, Malte Ruben Vogt, Carlos M. Ruiz Tobon, Rudi Santbergen, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: The tandem PV technology has the potential to increase the efficiency of PV modules by over 30%. In this study, a model for quantifying the energy loss mechanisms in PV systems under real-world operating conditions is presented. The model provides a detailed analysis of the components and their fundamental properties, with 17 defined losses divided into four categories.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Guangtao Yang, Remon Gram, Paul Procel, Can Han, Zhirong Yao, Manvika Singh, Yifeng Zhao, Luana Mazzarella, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: Passivating contacts based on poly-Si have achieved high efficiency in c-Si solar cells due to their excellent surface passivation quality and carrier selectivity. This study investigates how the density of pinholes affects the passivation quality of ion-implanted poly-Si passivating contacts, and finds that a moderate pinhole density can enhance passivation qualities for both n(+) and p(+) poly-Si passivating contacts.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Danbi Yoo, Peter Tillmann, Tobias Kraus, Johannes Sutter, Angelika Harter, Sergei Trofimov, Boris Naydenov, Klaus Jaeger, Hubert Hauser, Christiane Becker
Summary: This study uses UV-nanoimprint lithography to fabricate and analyze 12 different textures on glass, and examines their angle-resolved reflectance and scattering properties. The results show that textured glass can effectively reduce reflection losses and increase energy yield, especially for photovoltaic systems with large incident angles.
