Investigation of the impact of the rear‐dielectric/silver back reflector design on the optical performance of thin‐film silicon solar cells by means of detached reflectors. (28th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moulin, Etienne; Paetzold, Ulrich Wilhelm; Bittkau, Karsten; Owen, Jorj; Kirchhoff, Joachim; Bauer, Andreas; Carius, Reinhard
• Is Part Of: Progress in photovoltaics. Volume 21:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 1236
• Page End: 1247
• Publication Date: 2013-01-28
• Subjects: Solar cells -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic cells -- Periodicals; Solar power plants -- Periodicals; 621.31245
• DOI: 10.1002/pip.2355
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-7995

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>Thin‐film silicon solar cells often rely on a metal back reflector separated from the silicon layers by a thin rear dielectric as a back reflector (BR) design. In this work, we aim to obtain a better insight into the influence of the rear‐dielectric/Ag BR design on the optical performance of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (µc‐Si:H) solar cells. To allow the application of a large variety of rear dielectrics combined with Ag BRs of diverse topographies, the solar cell is equipped with a local electrical contact scheme that enables the use of non‐conductive rear dielectrics such as air or transparent liquids of various refractive indices <italic>n</italic>. With this approach, <italic>detached</italic> Ag BRs having the desire surface texture can be placed behind the same solar cell, yielding a direct and precise evaluation of their impact on the optical cell performance. The experiments show that both the external quantum efficiency and the device absorptance are improved with decreasing <italic>n</italic> and increasing roughness of the BR. Calculations of the angular intensity distribution of the scattered light in the µc‐Si:H are presented. They allow for establishing a consistent picture of the light trapping in the solar cell. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>