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Design rules for high-efficiency both-sides-contacted silicon solar cells with balanced charge carrier transport and recombination losses

Author

Listed:
  • Armin Richter

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Ralph Müller

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Jan Benick

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Frank Feldmann

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Bernd Steinhauser

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Christian Reichel

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Andreas Fell

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Martin Bivour

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Martin Hermle

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE))

  • Stefan W. Glunz

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE)
    Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg)

Abstract

The photovoltaic industry is dominated by crystalline silicon solar cells. Although interdigitated back-contact cells have yielded the highest efficiency, both-sides-contacted cells are the preferred choice in industrial production due to their lower complexity. Here we show that omitting the layers at the front side that provide lateral charge carrier transport is the key to excellent optoelectrical properties for both-sides-contacted cells. This results in a conversion efficiency of 26.0%. In contrast to standard industrial cells with a front side p–n junction, this cell exhibits the p–n junction at the back surface in the form of a full-area polycrystalline silicon-based passivating contact. A detailed power-loss analysis reveals that this cell balances electron and hole transport losses as well as transport and recombination losses in general. A systematic simulation study led to some fundamental design rules for future >26% efficiency silicon solar cells and demonstrates the potential and the superiority of these back-junction solar cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Armin Richter & Ralph Müller & Jan Benick & Frank Feldmann & Bernd Steinhauser & Christian Reichel & Andreas Fell & Martin Bivour & Martin Hermle & Stefan W. Glunz, 2021. "Design rules for high-efficiency both-sides-contacted silicon solar cells with balanced charge carrier transport and recombination losses," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(4), pages 429-438, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:6:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1038_s41560-021-00805-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00805-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Genshun Wang & Qiao Su & Hanbo Tang & Hua Wu & Hao Lin & Can Han & Tingting Wang & Chaowei Xue & Junxiong Lu & Liang Fang & Zhenguo Li & Xixiang Xu & Pingqi Gao, 2024. "27.09%-efficiency silicon heterojunction back contact solar cell and going beyond," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Changhyun Lee & Jiyeon Hyun & Jiyeon Nam & Seok-Hyun Jeong & Hoyoung Song & Soohyun Bae & Hyunju Lee & Jaeseung Seol & Donghwan Kim & Yoonmook Kang & Hae-Seok Lee, 2021. "Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Deposition for Poly-Si/SiO 2 Contact Cells to Minimize Parasitic Absorption in the Near-Infrared Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Hao Lin & Miao Yang & Xiaoning Ru & Genshun Wang & Shi Yin & Fuguo Peng & Chengjian Hong & Minghao Qu & Junxiong Lu & Liang Fang & Can Han & Paul Procel & Olindo Isabella & Pingqi Gao & Zhenguo Li & X, 2023. "Silicon heterojunction solar cells with up to 26.81% efficiency achieved by electrically optimized nanocrystalline-silicon hole contact layers," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(8), pages 789-799, August.
    4. Wang, Yunjie & Yang, Huihan & Chen, Haifei & Yu, Bendong & Zhang, Haohua & Zou, Rui & Ren, Shaoyang, 2023. "A review: The development of crucial solar systems and corresponding cooling technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    5. Teixeira, Bernardo & Brito, Miguel Centeno & Mateus, António, 2024. "Raw materials for the Portuguese decarbonization roadmap: The case of solar photovoltaics and wind energy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    6. Hasnain Yousuf & Muhammad Quddamah Khokhar & Muhammad Aleem Zahid & Matheus Rabelo & Sungheon Kim & Duy Phong Pham & Youngkuk Kim & Junsin Yi, 2022. "Tunnel Oxide Deposition Techniques and Their Parametric Influence on Nano-Scaled SiO x Layer of TOPCon Solar Cell: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-29, August.

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