Transparent electrodes in silicon heterojunction solar cells: Influence on contact passivation

Journal Article · Mon Oct 26 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2484962· OSTI ID:1229742

Tomasi, Andrea ^[1]; Sahli, Florent ^[1]; Seif, Johannes Peter ^[1]; Fanni, Lorenzo ^[1]; de Nicolas Agut, Silvia Martin ^[1]; Geissbuhler, Jonas ^[1]; Paviet-Salomon, Bertrand ^[2]; Nicolay, Sylvain ^[2]; Barraud, Loris ^[1]; Niesen, Bjoern ^[1]; De Wolf, Stefaan ^[1]; Ballif, Christophe ^[1]

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1. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchatel (Switzerland)
2. Centre Suisse d' Electronique et de Microtechnique, Neuchatel (Switzerland)

Charge carrier collection in silicon heterojunction solar cells occurs via intrinsic/doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer stacks deposited on the crystalline silicon wafer surfaces. Usually, both the electron and hole collecting stacks are externally capped by an n-type transparent conductive oxide, which is primarily needed for carrier extraction. Earlier, it has been demonstrated that the mere presence of such oxides can affect the carrier recombination in the crystalline silicon absorber. Here, we present a detailed investigation of the impact of this phenomenon on both the electron and hole collecting sides, including its consequences for the operating voltages of silicon heterojunction solar cells. As a result, we define guiding principles for improved passivating contact design for high-efficiency silicon solar cells.

• Research Organization: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchatel (Switzerland)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0006335
• OSTI ID: 1229742
• Journal Information: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Journal Name: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics; ISSN 2156-3381
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
amorphous silicon
crystalline silicon
charge carrier lifetime
heterojunctions
photovoltaic cells
solar cells