Download or read book The Study of Grain Boundaries in Polycrystalline Thin film Solar Cells written by Bingrui Joel Li and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Silicon is one of the most studied semiconductor materials with techniques to control and manipulate its properties well established by the integrated circuit (IC) industry. While silicon wafer-based technology constitutes about 85% of the photovoltaics (PV) market, there are compelling reasons to develop thin-film solar cells. These include potential material cost and energy savings achievable with thin absorber layers of direct band-gap thin film materials, and the potential for incorporation of thin film PV onto inexpensive, flexible, or building material substrates, which opens up the possibility of new applications. Given the success of silicon wafer-based solar cells in the PV market, crystalline silicon on glass is a natural choice for thin-film PV technology. However, the efficiency of this technology is still too low to compete in the PV market. In fact, its record efficiency is only 10.5% which was achieved by CSG Solar. In order to boost the efficiency of this technology, we explore the use of ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) to create biaxially-textured silicon films which can potentially have less defects at the grain boundaries. Experimentally, we have fabricated an operational biaxially-textured silicon solar cell whose Voc is likely to have been affected by intra-grain defects as shown by our transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. In order to investigate the interplay between grain boundary and intra-grain defects on solar cell performance and determine the potential benefits of developing biaxially-textured film solar cells, I used Synopsys' two-dimensional technology computer-aided design (TCAD) Sentaurus simulation tool. In general, the simulations found that biaxially-textured silicon solar cells improve solar cell efficiencies but there is small improvement for devices that have both large grains and low intra-grain carrier lifetime. Among the various thin-film technologies, CdTe and Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 (CIGSSe), dominate the thin-film PV market. However in recent years, the photovoltaic community has seen growing interest in CZTS-based thin-film solar cells which include Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) and Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells. This is driven by their potential to replace Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) and CdTe solar cells which face material scarcity, toxicity and market acceptance issues. In polycrystalline CIGSe-based (CIGSe, CISe, CuGaSe2 (CGSe)) and CdTe solar cells, grain boundaries do not seem to affect solar cell efficiency as much. In fact, some studies have identified grain boundaries as the source of high efficiency in polycrystalline CIGSe-based and CdTe solar cells. CIGSe-based and CZTS-based films are similar in terms of growth methods, optoelectronic and crystallographic properties. Because of these similarities and the benign nature of grain boundaries in CIGSe-based and CdTe films, it would be useful to examine the properties of grain boundaries in these materials. Using scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) techniques, I investigated the electronic properties of grain boundaries in CIGSe, CZTS and CZTSSe solar cells. SKPM measurements carried out in this work reveal a higher positive surface potential at the grain boundaries as compared to the grain while C-AFM measurements show higher current flow in the vicinity of the grain boundaries. These two measurement results are similar to those obtained for high quality CIGSe and CdTe and together they demonstrate the enhanced minority carrier collection taking place at the grain boundaries of CZTS and CZTSSe. Although SKPM measurement are susceptible to topographical and geometric effects, we believe that this effect is not dominating in our measurements as topography and surface potential profile lines are not exact mirror images of one another and regions of similar height have different potentials and vice versa. Nonetheless, I used a technique that involves photoreduction of AgNO3 to provide convincing evidence that our SKPM result is not a result of experimental artifacts but is truly indicative of the higher positive potential at the grain boundary. Having benign or beneficial grain boundaries have been found to be essential for achieving high efficiencies in polycrystalline CIGSe and CdTe solar cells. In my investigation, I found that high efficiency CZTS and CZTSSe solar cells have similar grain boundary electronic properties as high efficiency CIGSe and CdTe solar cells. As such, it might be possible for CZTS and CZTSSe solar cells to achieve similar high efficiencies as CIGSe and CdTe solar cells if other defects (intra-grain, surface and interfacial) are not limiting efficiencies.
Download or read book Spatially Resolved Studies of Grain Boundary Effects in Polycrystalline Solar Cells Using Micro Photoluminescence and Near Field Microscopy written by S. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 5 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Photoluminescence and photocurrent spectroscopies combined with diffraction-limited and sub- diffraction-limited spatial resolution are achieved via micro-photoluminescence (m-PL) and near-field microscopy (NSOM). These methods are used to examine the photo-response of individual grain boundaries in thin-film, polycrystalline solar cells at room and cryogenic temperatures. A systematic m-PL study of the effect of CdCl2-treatment on recombination in CdTe/CdS solar cell structures of varying thickness directly reveals the grain-boundary and surface passivation action of this important post-growth processing step. We achieve 50nm (l/10) spatial resolution in near-field Optical Beam Induced Current imaging (n-OBIC) of polycrystalline silicon solar cells using NSOM, at varying stages of silicon nitride grain-boundary passivation, and measure lateral variations in photo-response of CdTe/CdS solar cells with subwavelength spatial resolution.
Download or read book Perovskite Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics written by Tsutomu Miyasaka and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2022-03-21 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Perovskite Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics Discover a one-of-a-kind treatment of perovskite photovoltaics In less than a decade, the photovoltaics of organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials has surpassed the efficiency of semiconductor compounds like CdTe and CIGS in solar cells. In Perovskite Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications, distinguished engineer Dr. Tsutomu Miyasaka delivers a comprehensive exploration of foundational and advanced topics regarding halide perovskites. It summarizes the latest information and discussion in the field, from fundamental theory and materials to critical device applications. With contributions by top scientists working in the perovskite community, the accomplished editor has compiled a resource of central importance for researchers working on perovskite related materials and devices. This edited volume includes coverage of new materials and their commercial and market potential in areas like perovskite solar cells, perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and perovskite-based photodetectors. It also includes: A thorough introduction to halide perovskite materials, their synthesis, and dimension control Comprehensive explorations of the photovoltaics of halide perovskites and their historical background Practical discussions of solid-state photophysics and carrier transfer mechanisms in halide perovskite semiconductors In-depth examinations of multi-cation anion-based high efficiency perovskite solar cells Perfect for materials scientists, crystallization physicists, surface chemists, and solid-state physicists, Perovskite Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications is also an indispensable resource for solid state chemists and device/electronics engineers.
Download or read book Physical Models of Thin Film Polycrystalline Solar Cells Based on Measured Grain boundary and Electronic parameter Properties Quarterly Report written by and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solar cells fabricated on polycrystalline silicon, either bulk or thin-film, can potentially be cost-effective when used in terrestrial photovoltaic energy-conversion systems. To achieve this goal, the polysilicon cell efficiency must be increased considerably from its present values. A severe limitation to the cell efficiency is due to the grain boundaries and their influence on carrier recombination. To remove this limitation, an understanding of the fundamental physics underlying the effects of the grain boundaries on cell performance is helpful. This fundamental physics is discussed, and models are developed for recombination currents in polysilicon pn-junction solar cells. Several analytic approximations, suggested by physical insight, are used and checked ultimately for self-consistency with the results of the analysis. The models are defined such that their parameters can be related directly to measurements, and the models are hence useful in interpreting experimental results. They also can be used to study, in a systematic way, cell-design modifications to improve the efficiency, e.g., grain-boundary passivation techniques.
Download or read book Electronic Grain Boundary Properties in Polycrystalline Cu In Ga Se 1tn2 Semiconductors for Thin Film Solar Cells written by Robert Baier and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Method of Making Quasi grain Boundary free Polycrystalline Solar Cell Structure and Solar Cell Structure Obtained Thereby written by and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new solar cell structure is provided which will increase the efficiency of polycrystalline solar cells by suppressing or completely eliminating the recombination losses due to the presence of grain boundaries. This is achieved by avoiding the formation of the p-n junction (or other types of junctions) in the grain boundaries and by eliminating the grain boundaries from the active area of the cell. This basic concept can be applied to any polycrystalline material; however, it will be most beneficial for cost-effective materials having small grains, including thin film materials.
Download or read book Focus on Polycrystalline Thin Film Cells written by and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Microscopic Properties of Grain Boundaries in Cu In Ga Se2 and CuInS2 Thin film Solar Cells Studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Physical Models of Thin Film Polycrystalline Solar Cells Based on Measured Grain boundary and Electronic parameter Properties written by F. A Lindholm and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book EBIC Studies of Grain Boundaries in Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Wide Gap Chalcopyrites written by Susanne Siebentritt and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2006-02-25 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chalcopyrites, in particular those with a wide band gap, are fascinating materials in terms of their technological potential in the next generation of thin-film solar cells and in terms of their basic material properties. They exhibit uniquely low defect formation energies, leading to unusual doping and phase behavior and to extremely benign grain boundaries. This book collects articles on a number of those basic material properties of wide-gap chalcopyrites, comparing them to their low-gap cousins. They explore the doping of the materials, the electronic structure and the transport through interfaces and grain boundaries, the formation of the electric field in a solar cell, the mechanisms and suppression of recombination, the role of inhomogeneities, and the technological role of wide-gap chalcopyrites.
Download or read book The Influence of Grain Boundaries on Solar Cell Performance written by and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Grain boundary studies related to polycrystalline silicon solar cells are reviewed. Included in this paper are discussions of grain boundary effects, models and passivation methods. Major problem areas that need further studies are discussed.
Download or read book Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports written by and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 704 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Influence of Grain Boundaries on Solar Cell Performance written by Joseph B. Milstein and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 6 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Grain boundary studies related to polycrystalline silicon solar cells are reviewed. Included in this paper are discussions of grain boundary effects, models and passivation methods. Major problem areas that need further studies are discussed.
Download or read book Energy Research Abstracts written by and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Solar Energy Update written by and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page 884 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Energy a Continuing Bibliography with Indexes written by and published by . This book was released on 1980 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
