Realization of high efficiency micromorph tandem silicon solar cells on glass and plastic substrates: Issues and potential

High conversion efficiency for (amorphous/microcrystalline) "micromorph" tandem solar cells requires both a dedicated light management, to keep the absorber layers as thin as possible, and optimized growth conditions of the microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) material. Efficient light trapp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2011, Vol.95 (1), p.127-130
Main Authors: Meillaud, F., Feltrin, A., Despeisse, M., Haug, F-J., Dominé, D., Python, M., Söderström, T., Cuony, P., Boccard, M., Nicolay, S., Ballif, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amorphous silicon
Applied sciences
Asymmetry
Conversion
Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical power engineering
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Foils
Glass
Microcrystalline silicon
Natural energy
Photoelectric conversion
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
Silicon substrates
Solar cells
Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells
Solar energy
Tandem solar cells
Thin films
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Summary:High conversion efficiency for (amorphous/microcrystalline) "micromorph" tandem solar cells requires both a dedicated light management, to keep the absorber layers as thin as possible, and optimized growth conditions of the microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) material. Efficient light trapping is achieved here by use of textured front and back contacts as well as by implementing an intermediate reflecting layer (IRL) between the individual cells of the tandem. This paper discusses the latest developments of IRLs at IMT Neuchâtel: SiO x based for micromorphs on glass and ZnO based IRLs for micromorphs on flexible substrates were successfully incorporated in micromorph tandem cells leading to high, matched, current above 13.8 mA/cm 2 for p–i–n tandems. In n–i–p configuration, asymmetric intermediate reflectors were employed to achieve currents of up to 12.5 mA/cm 2. On glass substrates, initial and stabilized efficiencies exceeding 13% and 11%, respectively, were thus obtained on 1 cm 2 cells, while on plastic foils with imprinted gratings, 11.2% initial and 9.8% stable efficiency could be reached. Recent progress on the development of effective front and back contacts will be described as well.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2010.02.012