Research and development efforts on texturization to reduce the optical losses at front surface of silicon solar cell. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdullah, M.F.; Alghoul, M.A.; Naser, Hameed; Asim, Nilofar; Ahmadi, Shideh; Yatim, B.; Sopian, K.
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 66(2017)
• Page Start: 380
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: µc-Si Microcrystalline silicon -- a-Si Amorphous silicon -- AgNO3 Silver nitride -- AR Anti-reflection -- Ar Argon gas -- AZO Aluminum-doped zinc oxide -- CH3COOH Acetic acid -- CH3COONa Sodium acetate -- c-Si Monocrystalline silicon -- Cl2 Chlorine gas -- ClF3 Chlorine trifluoride -- Cr Chromium -- DIW De-ionized water -- H2O Water -- H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide -- H2SO4 Sulfuric acid -- HF Hydrofluoric acid -- HNO3 Nitric acid -- I-V Current-voltage -- IPA Isopropyl alcohol -- Jsc Short circuit current -- KOH Potassium hydroxide -- mc-Si Multicrystalline silicon -- N2H4 Hydrazine -- Na2CO3 Sodium carbonate -- Na2S2O8 Sodium persulfate -- Na3PO4 Sodium phosphate -- NaHCO3 Sodium bicarbonate -- NaOCl Sodium hypochlorite -- NaOH Sodium hydroxide -- O2 Oxygen gas -- PDMS Polydimethylsiloxane -- PECVD Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- PERL Passivated emitter and localized -- R&D Research and development -- RF Radio frequency -- RIE Reactive ion etching -- SEM Scanning electron microscopy -- SF6 Sulfur hexafluoride -- Si Silicon -- Si3N4 Silicon nitride -- SDE Saw damage etchings -- SnO2 Tin oxide -- TBA Tertiary-butyl alcohol -- TCO Transparent conducting oxide -- TMAH Tetramethyl-ammonium hydroxide -- Voc Open circuit voltage -- ZnO Zinc oxide -- ZrO2 Zirconium dioxide; Silicon solar cell -- Optical loss reduction -- Role of texturization -- Side effect of texturization -- Power conversion efficiency; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.07.065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Silicon wafer-based solar cell contributes to about 92% of the total production of photovoltaic cells. An average of 30% of the incident light is lost via reflection from the front surface of the silicon solar cell, thus reducing the cell's power conversion efficiency. Texturization is a process of producing the desired unevenness on the surface of solar cell. It is well known as a practical solution to the limitation. Front surface texture reduces cell reflectivity and contributes to more photocurrent generation within active materials. The research and development efforts to reduce the optical losses via texturization are reviewed in this paper. The mechanisms of optical loss reduction, desirable texture feature, methods of texturization, side effects of texturization, and its compatibility with other optical enhancements for crystal silicon cell are elaborated upon. Front surface texture is associated with minimizing optical loss, and negatively affecting carrier and electrical losses. The importance of texturization for crystalline silicon is briefly related with thin film amorphous silicon solar cell to fully encompass this topic. Lesson learned and conclusion is highlighted in the last section.