Download or read book Advanced Methods for Light Trapping in Optically Thin Silicon Solar Cells written by James Richard Nagel and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Anti reflection and Light Trapping in c Si Solar Cells written by Chetan Singh Solanki and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-06-30 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book offers essential insights into c-Si based solar cells and fundamentals of reflection, refraction, and light trapping. The basic physics and technology for light trapping in c-Si based solar cells are covered, from traditional to advanced light trapping structures. Further, the book discusses the latest developments in plasmonics for c-Si solar cell applications, along with their future scope and the requirements for further research. The book offers a valuable guide for graduate students, researchers and professionals interested in the latest trends in solar cell technologies.
Download or read book Introduction to Light Trapping in Solar Cell and Photo detector Devices written by Stephen J. Fonash and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2014-09-15 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New Approaches to Light Trapping in Solar Cell Devices discusses in detail the use of photonic and plasmonic effects for light trapping in solar cells. It compares and contrasts texturing, the current method of light-trapping design in solar cells, with emerging approaches employing photonic and plasmonic phenomena. These new light trapping methods reduce the amount of absorber required in a solar cell, promising significant cost reduction and efficiency. This book highlights potential advantages of photonics and plasmonics and describes design optimization using computer modeling of these approaches. Its discussion of ultimate efficiency possibilities in solar cells is grounded in a review of the Shockley-Queisser analysis; this includes an in-depth examination of recent analyses building on that seminal work.
Download or read book Thin Film Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This introduction to the physics of silicon solar cells focuses on thin cells, while reviewing and discussing the current status of the important technology. An analysis of the spectral quantum efficiency of thin solar cells is given as well as a full set of analytical models. This is the first comprehensive treatment of light trapping techniques for the enhancement of the optical absorption in thin silicon films.
Download or read book Nanophotonics and Plasmonics written by Dr. Ching Eng (Jason) Png and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2017-08-21 with total page 570 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a first integrated view of nanophotonics and plasmonics, covering the use of dielectric, semiconductor, and metal nanostructures to manipulate light at the nanometer scale. The presentation highlights similarities and advantages, and shows the common underlying physics, targets, and methodologies used for different materials (optically transparent materials for nanophotonics, vs opaque materials for plasmonics). Ultimately, the goal is to provide a basis for developing a unified platform for both fields. In addition to the fundamentals and detailed theoretical background, the book showcases the main device applications. Ching Eng (Jason) Png is Director of the Electronics and Photonics Department at the Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore. Yuriy A. Akimov is a scientist in the Electronics and Photonics Department at the Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore.
Download or read book Photon Management in Solar Cells written by Ralf B. Wehrspohn and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-06-08 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written by renowned experts in the field of photon management in solar cells, this one-stop reference gives an introduction to the physics of light management in solar cells, and discusses the different concepts and methods of applying photon management. The authors cover the physics, principles, concepts, technologies, and methods used, explaining how to increase the efficiency of solar cells by splitting or modifying the solar spectrum before they absorb the sunlight. In so doing, they present novel concepts and materials allowing for the cheaper, more flexible manufacture of solar cells and systems. For educational purposes, the authors have split the reasons for photon management into spatial and spectral light management. Bridging the gap between the photonics and the photovoltaics communities, this is an invaluable reference for materials scientists, physicists in industry, experimental physicists, lecturers in physics, Ph.D. students in physics and material sciences, engineers in power technology, applied and surface physicists.
Download or read book Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells written by Daniel Abou-Ras and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-07-13 with total page 760 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book focuses on advanced characterization methods for thin-film solar cells that have proven their relevance both for academic and corporate photovoltaic research and development. After an introduction to thin-film photovoltaics, highly experienced experts report on device and materials characterization methods such as electroluminescence analysis, capacitance spectroscopy, and various microscopy methods. In the final part of the book simulation techniques are presented which are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D. Building on a proven concept, this new edition also covers thermography, transient optoelectronic methods, and absorption and photocurrent spectroscopy.
Download or read book Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells written by Daniel Abou-Ras and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-10-10 with total page 775 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book focuses on advanced characterization methods for thin-film solar cells that have proven their relevance both for academic and corporate photovoltaic research and development. After an introduction to thin-film photovoltaics, highly experienced experts report on device and materials characterization methods such as electroluminescence analysis, capacitance spectroscopy, and various microscopy methods. In the final part of the book simulation techniques are presented which are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D. Building on a proven concept, this new edition also covers thermography, transient optoelectronic methods, and absorption and photocurrent spectroscopy.
Download or read book Thin film Silicon Solar Cells written by Xing Sheng (Ph. D.) and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The photovoltaic technology has been attracting widespread attention because of its effective energy harvest by directly converting solar energy into electricity. Thin-film silicon solar cells are believed to be a promising candidate for further scaled-up production and cost reduction while maintaining the advantages of bulk silicon. The efficiency of thin-film Si solar cells critically depends on optical absorption in the silicon layer since silicon has low absorption coefficient in the red and near-infrared (IR) wavelength ranges due to its indirect bandgap nature. This thesis aims at understanding, designing, and fabricating novel photonic structures for efficiency enhancement in thin-film Si solar cells. We have explored a previously reported a photonic crystal (PC) based structure to improve light absorption in thin-film Si solar cells. The PC structure combines a dielectric grating layer and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) for effcient light scattering and reflection, increasing light path length in the thin-film cell. We have understood the operation principles for this design by using photonic band theories and electromagnetic wave simulations. we discover that this DBR with gratings exhibit unusual light trapping in a way different from metal reflectors and photonic crystals. The light trapping effects for the DBR with and without reflector are numerically investigated. The self-assembled anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) technique is introduced to non- lithographically fabricate the grating structure. We adjust the AAO structural parameters by using different anodization voltages, times and electrolytes. Two-step anodization is employed to obtain nearly hexagonal AAO pattern. The interpore periods of the fabricated AAO are calculated by fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis. We have also demonstrated the fabrication of ordered patterns made of other materials like amorphous Si (a-Si) and silver by using the AAO membrane as a deposition mask. Numerical simulations predict that the fabricated AAO pattern exhibits light trapping performance comparable to the perfectly periodic grating layer. We have implemented the light trapping concepts combining the self-assembled AAO layer and the DBR in the backside of crystalline Si wafers. Photoconductivity measurements suggest that the light absorption is improved in the near-IR spectral range near the band edge of Si. Furthermore, different types of thin-film Si solar cells, including a-Si, mi- crocrystalline Si ([mu]-Si) and micromorph Si solar cells, are investigated. For demonstration, the designed structure is integrated into a 1:5 [mu]m thick [mu]c-Si solar cell. We use numerical simulations to obtain the optimal structure parameters for the grating and the DBR, and then we fabricate the optimized structures using the AAO membrane as a template. The prototype devices integrating our proposed backside structure yield a 21% improvement in efficiency. This is further verified by quantum efficiency measurements, which clearly indicate stronger light absorption in the red and near-IR spectral ranges. Lastly, we have explored the fundamental light trapping limits for thin-film Si solar cells in the wave optics regime. We develop a deterministic method to optimize periodic textures for light trapping. Deep and high-index-contrast textures exhibit strong anisotropic scattering that is outside the regime of validity of the Lambertian models commonly used to describe texture-induced absorption enhancement for normal incidence. In the weak ab- sorption regime, our optimized surface texture in two dimensions (2D) enhances absorption by a factor of 2.7[pi]n, considerably larger than the classical [pi]n Lambertian result and exceeding by almost 50% a recent generalization of Lambertian model for periodic structures in finite spectral range. Since the [pi]n Lambertian limit still applies for isotropic incident light, our optimization methodology can be thought of optimizing the angle/enhancement tradeoff for periodic textures. Based on a modified Shockley-Queisser theory, we conclude that it is possible to achieve more than 20% efficiency in a 1:5 [mu]m thick crystalline Si cell if advanced light trapping schemes can be realized.
Download or read book Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells written by W.R. Fahrner and published by Trans Tech Publications Ltd. This book was released on 2006-08-15 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world of today must face up to two contradictory energy problems: on the one hand, there is the sharply growing consumer demand in countries such as China and India. On the other hand, natural resources are dwindling. Moreover, many of those countries which still possess substantial gas and oil supplies are politically unstable. As a result, renewable natural energy sources have received great attention. Among these, solar-cell technology is one of the most promising candidates. However, there still remains the problem of the manufacturing costs of such cells. Many attempts have been made to reduce the production costs of conventional solar cells (manufactured from monocrystalline silicon using diffusion methods) by instead using cheaper grades of silicon, and simpler pn-junction fabrication. That is the hero of this book; the heterojunction solar cell.
Download or read book Texturization and Light Trapping in Silicon Solar Cells written by U. Gangopadhyay and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reduction of optical losses in both mono and multicrystalline silicon solar cells by surface texturing is one of the important issues of modern silicon photovoltaics. Texturing of the front surface of silicon solar cells has been modeled and analysed with reference to the reduction in reflection co-efficient and increase in optical trapping. Significant enhancement in open circuit voltage and short circuit current has been achieved through such texturing of the front surface of mono-silicon solar cells. A proper optimisation of texture angle appears to be important for the best performance of the solar cells. An alternative way of reducing the surface reflection and enhancement of the cell parameters is to produce to passive front surface porous silicon layer. An analysis of the characteristics of a porous silicon layer shows that the morphology of the layer is an important design parameter. To realise the structures in practice, several methods are available, but many of this method are either not cost effective or commercially non available. In order to achieve good uniformity of pyramidal textured structure of the silicon surface, a mixture of NaOH/KOH and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is generally used for texturization of mono crystalline solar cells. However, due to high cost of IPA, there is always search for alternative source. This source should not only be cost effective but should also result in reduced interfacial energy between silicon and ionised electrolyte chemical solution to achieve sufficient wet-ability for the silicon surface in order to enhance pyramid nucleation. Different novel texturization techniques for monocrystalline silicon are descried in this chapter including solar cells performance. For multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cells, the standard alkaline solution of NaOH/KOH does not produced textured surface of good quality so as to give satisfactory open circuit voltage and efficiency. This is because of grain boundary delineation with step formed between successive grains of different orientations. Different novel texturization techniques for multicrystalline silicon are also included in this book including solar cells performance.
Download or read book Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells written by Roberto Murri and published by Bentham Science Publishers. This book was released on 2013-03-20 with total page 524 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells explains concepts related to technologies for silicon (Si) based photovoltaic applications. Topics in this book focus on ‘new concept’ solar cells. These kinds of cells can make photovoltaic power production an economically viable option in comparison to the bulk crystalline semiconductor technology industry. A transition from bulk crystalline Si solar cells toward thin-film technologies reduces usage of active material and introduces new concepts based on nanotechnologies. Despite its importance, the scientific development and understanding of new solar cells is not very advanced, and educational resources for specialized engineers and scientists are required. This textbook presents the fundamental scientific aspects of Si thin films growth technology, together with a clear understanding of the properties of the material and how this is employed in new generation photovoltaic solar cells. The textbook is a valuable resource for graduate students working on their theses, young researchers and all people approaching problems and fundamental aspects of advanced photovoltaic conversion.
Download or read book Solar Cells and Light Management written by Francesco Enrichi and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-10-29 with total page 558 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solar Cells and Light Management: Materials, Strategies and Sustainability provides an extensive review on the latest advances in PV materials, along with light management strategies for better exploiting the solar spectrum. Following a brief review of the current status of solar cells, the book discusses different concepts, principles and technologies for solar devices, starting with standard silicon cells and then covering organic-hybrid, DSSC, perovskite, quantum dots and nanostructured oxide solar cells. Other sections focus on light manipulation and spectral modification, materials for spectral conversion, and environmental and sustainably considerations. An emergy analysis, which is an extension of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, is applied to the study of solar PV systems, thus allowing for effective integrated indicators. - Provides a comprehensive picture of light management strategies - Features the most recent advances in the field, including novel materials and advanced solar cell technologies - Presents a resource that is applicable to both new or experienced researchers in the field - Contains a section on environmental and sustainability issues
Download or read book Light Trapping with Plasmonic Back Contacts in Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells written by Ulrich Wilhelm Paetzold and published by Forschungszentrum Jülich. This book was released on 2013 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Thin Film Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells written by Rolf Brendel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2003-03-14 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This introduction to the physics of silicon solar cells focuses on thin cells, while reviewing and discussing the current status of the important technology. An analysis of the spectral quantum efficiency of thin solar cells is given as well as a full set of analytical models. This is the first comprehensive treatment of light trapping techniques for the enhancement of the optical absorption in thin silicon films.
Download or read book Light Trapping for Thin Silicon Solar Cells by Femtosecond Laser Texturing written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 5 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Femtosecond laser texturing is used to create nano- to micron-scale surface roughness that strongly enhances light-trapping in thin crystalline silicon solar cells. Light trapping is crucial for thin solar cells where a single light-pass through the absorber is insufficient to capture the weakly absorbed red and near-infrared photons, especially with an indirect-gap semiconductor absorber layer such as crystalline Si which is less than 20 um thick. We achieve enhancement of the optical absorption from light-trapping that approaches the Yablonovitch limit.
Download or read book Light Trapping in Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells Using Random Upright Pyramids written by Salman Manzoor and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 109 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Crystalline silicon has a relatively low absorption coefficient, and therefore, in thin silicon solar cells surface texturization plays a vital role in enhancing light absorption. Texturization is needed to increase the path length of light through the active absorbing layer. The most popular choice for surface texturization of crystalline silicon is the anisotropic wet-etching that yields pyramid-like structures. These structures have shown to be both simple to fabricate and efficient in increasing the path length; they outperform most competing surface texture. Recent studies have also shown these pyramid-like structures are not truly square-based 54.7 degree pyramids but have variable base angles and shapes. In addition, their distribution is not regular -- as is often assumed in optical models -- but random. For accurate prediction of performance of silicon solar cells, it is important to investigate the true nature of the surface texture that is achieved using anisotropic wet-etching, and its impact on light trapping. We have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the surface topology by obtaining actual height maps that serve as input to ray tracing software. The height map also yields the base angle distribution, which is compared to the base angle distribution obtained by analyzing the angular reflectance distribution measured by spectrophotometer to validate the shape of the structures. Further validation of the measured AFM maps is done by performing pyramid density comparison with SEM micrograph of the texture. Last method employed for validation is Focused Ion Beam (FIB) that is used to mill the long section of pyramids to reveal their profile and so from that the base angle distribution is measured. After that the measured map is modified and the maps are generated keeping the positional randomness (the positions of pyramids) and height of the pyramids the same, but changing their base angles. In the end a ray tracing software is used to compare the actual measured AFM map and also the modified maps using their reflectance, transmittance, angular scattering and most importantly path length enhancement, absorbance and short circuit current with lambertian scatterer.
