Article
Crystallography
Kexiong Zhang, Lei Feng, Lei Wang, Jun Zhu, Hai Zhang, Sihua Ha, Jiajun Sun, Hongwei Liang, Tianpeng Yang
Summary: Ga2O3/Ag/Ga2O3-laminated films with high electrical conductivity and UV transparency were successfully fabricated at room temperature on quartz glass by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The effects of annealing temperature and ambient on the structure, electrical, and optical properties of the films were investigated. The films exhibited good photoelectric performance with a high figure-of-merit value, low sheet resistance, and high transmittance in the UV range, indicating their potential in UV optoelectronic devices and flexible electronics.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Dipankar Gogoi, T. D. Das
Summary: This study focuses on the numerical analysis of different transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) perspectives, and confirms the feasibility of using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) as TCO for organic solar cells (OSCs) due to its extended transparency, antireflection, mechanical flexibility, low-cost processing, and realistic performance. The contributions of each interfacial layer thickness, such as AZO as TCO, P3HT:PC61BM as organic absorbing layer (OAL), Spiro-OMeTAD as hole-transport layer (HTL), and ZnO as electron-transport layer (ETL), to the stability and reproducibility of the design OSC are investigated. The optimization of trap-state densities (N-t) and charge carrier mobility (mu(n,p)) in OAL is also performed to increase the diffusion length of excitons carriers (L-n,L-p) and achieve higher power conversion efficiency (PCE).
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
Energy & Fuels
Takashi Koida, Takuya Matsui, Hitoshi Sai
Summary: This study explores the possibility of using amorphous SnO2 as a substitute for In2O3-based transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. The research demonstrates that the a-SnO2 thin films have good conductivity, high transparency, and excellent damp heat stability. When applied in SHJ solar cells, the a-SnO2 layer shows no negative effect on the performance compared to indium tin oxide layers. This suggests that a-SnO2 has the potential to be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional In2O3-based TCOs.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
E. Seim, A. Kohler, R. Lukacs, M. A. Brandsrud, E. S. Marstein, E. Olsen, R. Blumel
Summary: The research team maximizes absorption by trapping light rays in chaotic scattering systems and proposes the use of an autocorrelation function to assess the average path length of rays as a possible experimental method to verify light-trapping efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Soo-Won Choi, Jae-Ho Park, Ji-Hoon Kim, Yonghun Kim, Pungkeun Song, Myunhun Shin, Jung-Dae Kwon
Summary: Transparent hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells with light-trapping structures on the front electrodes were fabricated for building-integrated photovoltaic windows. The introduction of light-trapping structures increased the output current and power under low-irradiance conditions, although it also caused defects in the cells. The light-trapping effect and optimal conversion efficiency varied with light intensity.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongen Li, Yizhi Hu, Hao Wang, Qi Tao, Yonggang Zhu, Yue Yang
Summary: A composite light-trapping structure is proposed in this study, utilizing a double-layer antireflection coating on the upper surface and Ag hemispheres on the substrate to enhance full-spectrum light absorption. The light-trapping effects remain efficient over different thicknesses of the active layer, with the short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of thin-film solar cells approaching the theoretical limit with the optimized structure.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Tingting Yao, Liyun Ma, Gang Li, Yong Yang, Shuyong Chen, Rumei Zhong, Tianqi Wang, Saiao Peng, Hongxue Shen, Yongkang Tang, Yang Yang, Jiaxin Xu, Jinlei Wang, Zhiping Gan
Summary: In this study, a light-trapping structure was successfully fabricated in a tri-layer transparent conductive film of AZO/PS/AZO. By optimizing the process parameters, the film exhibited high crystallinity, low resistivity, and high average haze value, making it suitable for transparent electrode applications, particularly in thin-film solar cells.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
H. Rahimi, M. J. Karimi, S. Ghajarpour-Nobandegani
Summary: This study investigates the absorption efficiency of a thin-film solar cell composed of metallic nanowires and semiconductors, with results showing over 90% absorption using a rectangular-nanowire system and semi-circular nanowire cross-section in specific wavelength ranges. The high absorption in the visible region could potentially benefit the design of plasmonic solar cells.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ali Altuntepe, Mehmet Ali Olgar, Serkan Erkan, Onur Hasret, Ahmet Emin Kececi, Gamze Kokbudak, Murat Tomakin, Ayse Seyhan, Rasit Turan, Recep Zan
Summary: This study utilized a hybrid TCO structure composed of AZO and graphene to enhance the performance of silicon-based solar cells. The presence of graphene was found to improve cell efficiency significantly, with an increase of about 7-12% observed in different configurations.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Weiyuan Duan, Karsten Bittkau, Andreas Lambertz, Kaifu Qiu, Zhirong Yao, Paul Steuter, Depeng Qiu, Uwe Rau, Kaining Ding
Summary: Introducing a high-refractive-index a-Si:H layer in solar cells improves the infrared response and shows potential for enhancing performance. This design has the advantage of promoting IR response and is likely to have broader applications in the future.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Rebecca Saive
Summary: This paper discusses the significance of thin, flexible, and efficient silicon solar cells, as well as the challenges in photon management. It also explores known technological and theoretical limitations, as well as methods to improve light trapping.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ganesh T. Chavan, Youngkuk Kim, Muhammad Quddamah Khokhar, Shahzada Qamar Hussain, Eun-Chel Cho, Junsin Yi, Zubair Ahmad, Pitcheri Rosaiah, Chan-Wook Jeon
Summary: Global warming and socioeconomic issues have led to increased focus on renewable energy, with solar cells being considered an important source. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), particularly Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO), have proven to be effective TCO materials for improving the efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells (SHJ SCs). The use of doped-ITO thin films has shown promising characteristics and contributed to the increased efficiency of SHJ SCs. The article discusses the deposition of TCO films, parameters affecting TCO properties, characteristics of doped and undoped TCO materials, and their impact on SHJ SC efficiency, based on ongoing research and development activities.
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
Depeng Qiu, Weiyuan Duan, Andreas Lambertz, Alexander Eberst, Karsten Bittkau, Uwe Rau, Kaining Ding
Summary: Mitigating the adverse effect of TCO sputtering on passivation quality of heterojunction contact is crucial for high-efficiency SHJ solar cells. Denser nc-Si:H(n) can reduce sputter damage and improve cell performance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Frank Meyer, Andrea Ingenito, Juan J. Diaz Leon, Xavier Niquille, Christophe Allebe, Sylvain Nicolay, Franz-Josef Haug, Christophe Ballif
Summary: This work presents the development of passivating contacts for two side contacted c-Si solar cells based on thin interfacial oxide/doped polysilicon. Optimization of layer thickness led to solar cells with high open circuit voltage and fill factor. Localization of the front side passivating contact was achieved through deposition with a shadow mask, resulting in high-efficiency c-Si solar cells with promising efficiency.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ebrar Oezkalay, Gabi Friesen, Mauro Caccivio, Pierluigi Bonomo, Andrew Fairbrother, Christophe Ballif, Alessandro Virtuani
Summary: Due to restricted rear-side ventilation, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) modules and systems tend to have elevated operating temperatures. A study conducted in Southern Switzerland found that BIPV modules operated at significantly higher temperatures and experienced greater day-night temperature variations compared to modules in an open-rack configuration.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jean Cattin, Delphine Petri, Jonas Geissbuehler, Matthieu Despeisse, Christophe Ballif, Mathieu Boccard
Summary: The effect of light soaking and forward electric bias treatment on silicon heterojunction solar cells and modules, along with the influence of thermal treatment during lamination, is investigated. It is found that the lamination process can partially reset the improved performance after electric bias or light soaking. However, a second treatment after lamination can improve performance again, leading to similar final performance regardless of the prelamination treatment.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrew Fairbrother, Hugo Quest, Ebrar Ozkalay, Philipp Walchli, Gabi Friesen, Christophe Ballif, Alessandro Virtuani
Summary: This study reports on the long-term performance of 55 BIPV systems in Switzerland, finding a median degradation rate of 0.06% per year with significant variation. An algorithm was developed to estimate shading severity in systems experiencing shading issues. It was observed that newer systems have higher shading severity while larger capacity systems have lower shading severity, emphasizing the importance of innovative BIPV module and system design to alleviate shading stresses.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Audrey Morisset, Theodosios Famprikis, Franz-Josef Haug, Andrea Ingenito, Christophe Ballif, Lars J. Bannenberg
Summary: This study investigates the structural evolution of poly-Si contacts using in situ X-ray techniques, revealing the densification and thinning of the poly-Si layer during annealing, as well as the disruption of the thin SiOx layer at high temperature. The results emphasize the importance of controlling high-temperature processes when fabricating c-Si solar cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jakub Holovsky, Jakub Sebera, Vladimir Sychrovsky, Jan Zemen, Stefaan De Wolf, Christophe Ballif
Summary: In this work, periodic DFT simulations were used to assign vibrational spectra on nanorough wet-processed hydrogenated Si(111) surfaces, providing a better understanding of the imperfect and nanorough Si(111) surfaces through vibrational spectroscopy.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Janina Loeffler, Jonathan Thomet, Samira Frey, Christophe Ballif, Nicolas Wyrsch
Summary: A Monte Carlo model-based study is presented to investigate the dynamic process of electron multiplication in microchannels based on amorphous silicon. The study provides insights into the geometrical limitations and time resolution of amorphous silicon based microchannel plates. The model is implemented in a finite element method simulator to estimate the electron multiplication gain and time response for channels with different geometries. Results show that amorphous silicon based microchannel plates have the potential for ultrafast measurements.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Arttu Tuomiranta, Pierre-Jean Alet, Christophe Ballif, Hosni Ghedira
Summary: This paper proposes geographically generalised parametrisations for time-variant albedo models and a method for deriving white-sky albedo without diffuse irradiance data. Practical guidelines are given for the calibration time and weather conditions. Geometric mean shows the most robust performance at most sites.
Article
Energy & Fuels
F-J Haug, S. Libraro, M. Lehmann, A. Morisset, A. Ingenito, C. Ballif
Summary: This study investigates bulk and interface recombination in crystalline silicon with p-type fired passivating contacts. It is found that bulk defects close to one of the band edges are formed at temperatures between 450 and 700 degrees C, but they are progressively cured at temperatures above 800 degrees C. At the same time, the surface passivation deteriorates at temperatures above 800 degrees C, allowing the injection of a recombination current into the SiCx layer. A trade-off for the effective minority carrier lifetime is observed between 800 and 830 degrees C.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mario Lehmann, Anatole Desthieux, Nathalie Valle, Audrey Morisset, Philippe Wyss, Santhana Eswara, Tom Wirtz, Andrea Ingenito, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas, Christophe Ballif, Franz-Josef Haug
Summary: This article investigates the effect of various processing steps during the fabrication of c-Si/SiOx/SiCx fired passivating contacts on the silicon bulk lifetime, as well as the kinetics of defect deactivation by hydrogenation. The results show a faster passivation of the surface and a slower passivation of shallow bulk defects. The kinetics of the hydrogenation process is limited by the available hydrogen supply at the c-Si/SiOx interface, rather than by diffusion within the bulk of the wafer.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Christophe Ballif, Franz-Josef Haug, Mathieu Boccard, Pierre J. Verlinden, Giso Hahn
Summary: This paper reviews the recent evolution of crystalline silicon solar cells, analyzes the current status of research and industrial development, and looks into the future prospects. The improvements in materials and processing have greatly reduced the cost and increased the efficiency of crystalline silicon photovoltaics, making it an important low-cost source of electricity. The paper also discusses the challenges and requirements for other photovoltaic technologies to compete with silicon on the mass market.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Laurie-Lou Senaud, Gabriel Christmann, Luca Antognini, Antoine Descoeudres, Jonas Geissbuhler, Mathieu Boccard, Sylvain Nicolay, Matthieu Despeisse, Christophe Ballif, Bertrand Paviet-Salomon
Summary: This study investigates and characterizes the electrical losses affecting the collection of photogenerated carriers in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. It explores the material properties controlling the physical coupling between the n-type hydrogenated silicon and the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers, and develops different material layers to study the device performance. The study also optimizes the multilayers to achieve low series resistance and high passivation.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Luca Antognini, Corentin Sthioul, Julie Dreon, Vincent Paratte, Deniz Tuerkay, Laurie-Lou Senaud, Christophe Ballif, Mathieu Boccard
Summary: In this study, the researchers performed experiments on the thickness and PH3 doping of nc-Si:H(n) layers to investigate their desirable characteristics along the growth direction. It was found that increasing the PH3 flow is necessary to improve the conductivity, but too high flows lead to amorphization of the layers. To overcome this, a thin a-Si:H(n) layer was integrated underneath the nc-Si:H(n) layer, and the impact of higher ITO doping and SiOx capping was also studied.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrew Fairbrother, Luca Gnocchi, Christophe Ballif, Alessandro Virtuani
Summary: Corrosion is a major degradation and failure mode in photovoltaic modules, but its progression is gradual. Researchers have developed an accelerated aging test to study the behavior of acetic acid corrosion and assist in screening new PV materials and component technologies.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Luca Antognini, Laurie-Lou Senaud, Deniz Turkay, Lison Marthey, Julie Dreon, Bertrand Paviet-Salomon, Matthieu Despeisse, Mathieu Boccard, Christophe Ballif
Summary: In this study, accurate breakdown of series resistance (R-S) in a 2 cm x 2 cm screen-printed solar cell was performed using multiple approaches. Experimental observations differed from theoretical expectations, and the accuracy of different methods in predicting R-S and its trend varied. Practical differences between the methods were discussed and possible improvements were proposed.
11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRYSTALLINE SILICON PHOTOVOLTAICS (SILICONPV 2021)
(2022)