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Journal ArticleDOI

Fabrication of thin film silicon solar cells on plastic substrate by very high frequency PECVD

Jatin K. Rath1, M. Brinza1, Y. Liu1, A. Borreman, Ruud E. I. Schropp1 
01 Sep 2010-Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (North-Holland)-Vol. 94, Iss: 9, pp 1534-1541
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the way to transfer process technology of state-of-the-art high efficiency thin film silicon solar cells fabrication on cheap plastic (such as PET or PEN) substrates, by two completely different approaches: (i) by transfer process (Helianthos concept) of thin-film silicon cells deposited at high substrate temperature, T s (∼200 ǫ) and (ii) direct deposition on temperature sensitive substrates at low T s(∼100 ǔ)
About: This article is published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.The article was published on 2010-09-01. It has received 70 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Thin film & Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented flexible organic solar cells that are less than 2 μm thick, have very low specific weight and maintain their photovoltaic performance under repeated mechanical deformation.
Abstract: Organic solar cells are promising for technological applications, as they are lightweight and mechanically robust. This study presents flexible organic solar cells that are less than 2 μm thick, have very low specific weight and maintain their photovoltaic performance under repeated mechanical deformation.

1,451 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent developments in flexible CIGS, CdTe, and a-Si:H solar cells is presented, and the current challenges and solutions to those challenges of using flexible foils, and industrial scenario are reviewed in detail.

226 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the relevant technologies such as hydrogen fuel, solar cell, biotechnology based on nanotechnology, and relevant patents for exploiting the future energy for the friendly environment are reviewed, and it is pointed out that the significantly feasible world's eco-energy for the foreseeable future should not only be realized, but also methods for using the current energy and their by-products more efficiently should be found correspondingly, alongside technologies that will ensure minimal environmental impact.
Abstract: SUMMARY It is well known that current fossil fuel usage is unsustainable and associated with greenhouse gas production. The amount of the world's primary energy supply provided by renewable energy technologies is urgently required. Therefore, the relevant technologies such as hydrogen fuel, solar cell, biotechnology based on nanotechnology, and the relevant patents for exploiting the future energy for the friendly environment are reviewed. At the same time, it is pointed out that the significantly feasible world's eco-energy for the foreseeable future should not only be realized, but also methods for using the current energy and their by-products more efficiently should be found correspondingly, alongside technologies that will ensure minimal environmental impact. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

104 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review is provided on low-cost solution printing techniques that is viewed highly as a viable tool for potential commercialization of the perovskite solar cells.

52 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Several types of elongated nanostructures with the high potential to improve the device performance are reviewed, including Si nanowires in realistic photovoltaic (PV) devices, and the scientific challenges and an outlook for Nanostructured PV devices are presented.
Abstract: In solar cell technology, the current trend is to thin down the active absorber layer. The main advantage of a thinner absorber is primarily the reduced consumption of material and energy during production. For thin film silicon (Si) technology, thinning down the absorber layer is of particular interest since both the device throughput of vacuum deposition systems and the stability of the devices are significantly enhanced. These features lead to lower cost per installed watt peak for solar cells, provided that the (stabilized) efficiency is the same as for thicker devices. However, merely thinning down inevitably leads to a reduced light absorption. Therefore, advanced light trapping schemes are crucial to increase the light path length. The use of elongated nanostructures is a promising method for advanced light trapping. The enhanced optical performance originates from orthogonalization of the light's travel path with respect to the direction of carrier collection due to the radial junction, an improved anti-reflection effect thanks to the three-dimensional geometric configuration and the multiple scattering between individual nanostructures. These advantages potentially allow for high efficiency at a significantly reduced quantity and even at a reduced material quality, of the semiconductor material. In this article, several types of elongated nanostructures with the high potential to improve the device performance are reviewed. First, we briefly introduce the conventional solar cells with emphasis on thin film technology, following the most commonly used fabrication techniques for creating nanostructures with a high aspect ratio. Subsequently, several representative applications of elongated nanostructures, such as Si nanowires in realistic photovoltaic (PV) devices, are reviewed. Finally, the scientific challenges and an outlook for nanostructured PV devices are presented.

51 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the spectral dependence of the optical absorption coefficient in thin films of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon is measured over nine orders of magnitude in the subgap, defect-connected region, and in the above-the-band gap region.
Abstract: The spectral dependence of the optical absorption coefficient in thin films of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon is measured over nine orders of magnitude in the subgap, defect-connected region, and in the above-the-band gap region Transmittance, reflectance, and constant photocurrent method measurements are combined with Fourier-transform photocurrent spectroscopy (FTPS) Results are analyzed and interpreted as due to electron transitions from defects or interband electron transitions, all having direct relevance to the thin-film microcrystalline silicon solar cell performance FTPS is a fast and sensitive quantitative method for quality assessment of microcrystalline silicon absorber in solar cells and can be used for quality monitoring in solar cell production

176 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an amorphous silicon carbide n -layer (n-SiC) was introduced to avoid open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) losses on textured substrates.
Abstract: We investigate amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin film solar cells in the n-i-p or substrate configuration that allows the use of nontransparent and flexible substrates such as metal or plastic foils such as polyethylene- naphtalate (PEN). A substrate texture is used to scatter the light at each interface, which increases the light trapping in the active layer. In the first part, we investigate the relationship between the substrate morphology and the short circuit current, which can be increased by 20% compared to the case of flat substrate. In the second part, we investigate cell designs that avoid open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) losses that are often observed on textured substrates. We introduce an amorphous silicon carbide n -layer (n-SiC), a buffer layer at the n/i interface, and show that the new cell design yields high Voc and FF on both flat and textured substrates. Furthermore, we investigate the relation between voids or nanocrack formations in the intrinsic layer and the textured substrate. It reveals that the initial growth of the amorphous layer is affected by the doped layer which itself is influenced by the textured substrate. Finally, the beneficial effect of our optical and electrical findings is used to fabricate a-Si:H solar cell on PEN substrate with an initial efficiency of 8.8% for an i -layer thickness of 270 nm. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.

155 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of plasma excitation frequency on the deposition of amorphous hydrogenated silicon in a silane glow-discharge system is investigated, and a large increase in the deposition rate up to 21 A/s is observed in the range between 25 and 150 MHz.
Abstract: The effect of plasma excitation frequency on the deposition of amorphous hydrogenated silicon in a silane glow-discharge system is investigated. A large increase in the deposition rate up to 21 A/s is observed in the range between 25 and 150 MHz. Optical and electrical film parameters remain practically unchanged over this frequency range.

151 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a-Si-based solar cells with plastic film substrate and achieved a stabilized efficiency of 9% in a 40 cm×80 cm cell, and discussed the merits and demerits of the process from the viewpoint of mass production.

104 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a single junction p-i-n cells were made in a superstrate structure using p-μc-Si : H as the window layer directly on top of SnO2 : F coated glass.

97 citations