Title:
Numerical modeling and fabrication of high efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells
Numerical modeling and fabrication of high efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells
Author(s)
Renshaw, John
Advisor(s)
Rohatgi, Ajeet
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to
Permanent Link
Abstract
Crystalline silicon solar cells translate energy from the sun into electrical energy via the photoelectric effect. This technology has the potential to simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels. The cost of photovoltaic energy, however, is still higher than the cost of electricity off of the grid which hampers this technologies adoption. Raising solar cell efficiency without significantly raising the cost is crucial to lowering the cost of photovoltaic produced energy. One technology which holds promise to increase solar cell efficiency is a selective emitter solar cell. In this work the benefit of selective emitter solar cells is quantified through numerical modeling. Further, the use of ultraviolet laser to create a laser doped selective emitter solar cell is explored. Through optimization of the laser doping process to minimize laser induced defects it is shown that this process can increase solar cell efficiency to over 19.1%. Additionally, 2D and 3D numerical modeling are performed to determine the limitations screen printed interdigitated back contact solar cells and the practical efficiency limit for crystalline Si solar cells.
Sponsor
Date Issued
2013-06-24
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Dissertation