Showing papers on "Polymer solar cell published in 1983"
TL;DR: The status of organic solar cell research is reviewed in this article, showing that the field is still in the early stages of development, but conversion efficiencies in sunlight of about 1% have been achieved.
396 citations
TL;DR: The first application of optical enhancement to thin-film (∼0.75 μm) amorphous silicon solar cells was described in this paper, where the authors defined cell geometries which maximize enhancement effects.
Abstract: We describe the first application of optical enhancement to thin‐film (∼0.75 μm thick) amorphous silicon solar cells and define cell geometries which maximize enhancement effects. We observed that due to the improved infrared absorption the external AM1 short circuit current increases by 3.0 mA/cm2 in cells constructed in accordance with the principles of optical enhancement.
224 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new type of amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cell stacked with polycrystalline silicon (poly-c-Si), has been developed, and the conversion efficiency more than 12% has been obtained with a cell structure of ITO/n-i-p a-Si/p poly c-Si//Al.
Abstract: A new type of amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cell stacked with polycrystalline silicon (poly-c-Si) has been developed. The conversion efficiency more than 12% has been obtained with a cell structure of ITO//n-i-p a-Si//n a-Si/p poly c-Si//Al. A series of technical data on the cell fabrication and resulting photovoltaic characteristics are presented.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a ray optics approach is used to determine the reflection characteristics of texture cells with a two-layer thin film coating and a generalized expression for the external quantum efficiency in terms of the given internal quantum efficiency and the coating parameters is determined.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a variable minority carrier transport model is proposed to describe the photovoltaic characteristics of amorphous silicon (a-Si) p-i-n junction (where i denotes intrinsic material) solar cells.
73 citations
Patent•
ARCO1
TL;DR: In this article, a process for separating a back contact metallization on a thin-film solar cell array into individual cell back electrodes by using a small diameter ultrasonically driven scribe tip with sufficient tip force to remove substantially all of the underlying semiconductor layer is described.
Abstract: A process for separating a back contact metallization on a thin film solar cell array into individual cell back electrodes by using a small diameter ultrasonically driven scribe tip with sufficient tip force to remove substantially all of the underlying semiconductor layer.
70 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, three types of new structure a•Si solar cells having more than 9% efficiency are presented, one of which has a high optical reflection back electrode metal alloyed with optically transparent n • type μc•Si deposited on the conventional glass substrate a •SiC/a•Si heterojunction solar cell.
Abstract: Three types of new structure a‐Si solar cells having more than 9% efficiency are presented. The first one has a high optical reflection back electrode metal alloyed with optically transparent n‐type μc‐Si deposited on the conventional glass substrate a‐SiC/a‐Si heterojunction solar cell. The second type structure is an inverted p‐i‐n solar cell having Ag/TiO2/a‐Si metal‐insulator‐semiconductor type back surface electrode which more efficiently collects longer wavelength photocarriers just above the band edge. The third structure demonstrated here has a‐Si/polycrystalline tandem junction to pick up the energy of longer wavelength photons passing through the front side of the a‐Si solar cell. All key technologies proposed here are practical and offer more promised real alternatives for the fabrication of high efficiency a‐Si solar cells.
65 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: The 1970s brought the end to thoughts of unlimited cheap energy as discussed by the authors, and today, energy consumption per capita is synonymous with the standard of living of a nation, as can be seen vividly in Figure 1.1.
Abstract: The 1970s have brought the end to thoughts of unlimited cheap energy. Today, energy consumption per capita is synonymous with the standard of living of a nation, as can be seen vividly in Figure 1.1. Whether or not man should continue an energy-intensive-based lifestyle may be open to debate, but there is little doubt that the present world rate of energy consumption is alarming in view of the rapid depletion of existing conventional resources.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review is given of Selective Optical Surfaces for Solar Energy Converters by M.M. Koltun, which compiles examples of optical multilayer stacks and antireflecting coatings, primarily addresses photovoltaic conversion, and examines efficiencies of A-R coated cells as a function of the number of A -R layers.
Abstract: A review is given of Selective Optical Surfaces for Solar Energy Converters by M.M. Koltun. The book compiles examples of optical multilayer stacks and antireflecting coatings, primarily addresses photovoltaic conversion, and examines efficiencies of A-R coated cells as a function of the number of A-R layers. It notes the selectivity and various other properties of solar cells: the effect of U.V. radiation, thermal cycling, mechanical damage and erosion, angle of incidence of solar radiation, and stability under particle irradiation pertaining to space utilization of cells. Cells discussed are standard silicon or gallium arsenide systems, with no mention of amorphous semiconductors or polysilicon samples.
55 citations
Patent•
ARCO1
TL;DR: An improved low cost photovoltaic cell including a sodium containing glass substrate which has been chemically treated to remove sodium ions from a surface selected for deposition of a transparent conductor is described in this paper.
Abstract: An improved low cost photovoltaic cell including a sodium containing glass substrate which has been chemically treated to remove sodium ions from a surface selected for deposition of a transparent conductor.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of boron doping on an i-layer of the p-i-n basis junction structure type amorphous silicon solar cells have been systematically studied.
TL;DR: In this paper, the degradation ratio of the conversion efficiency of p-i-n a-Si solar cells caused by light exposure depends on the thickness of the i layer, and it was shown that additional doping of the I layer with a small amount of boron prevents the decrease in conversion efficiency with light exposure.
TL;DR: In this article, an electroreflectance (ER) signal was analyzed for the purpose of identifying the built-in field in practical amorphous silicon (a-Si∶H) solar cells.
Abstract: The electroreflectance (ER) signal has been studied for the purpose of identifying the built-in field in practical amorphous silicon (a-Si∶H) solar cells. Through both theoretical and experimental considerations, it has been confirmed that the ER signal essentially comes from the light which is reflected at the back surface and hence experiences the internal electric field within thea-Si∶H layer. By analyzing the ER signal, which is really the back-surface reflected electroabsorption signal, the built-in potentialV
bcan be evaluated. This method has been applied to various types ofp-i-n junctiona-Si solar cells.V
bof a usual homojunction solar cell was about 0.85 V. Increases ofV
bby 50≈130mV have been found in heterojunction solar cells constructed withp-type amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC∶H) and/orn-type microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) as compared with homojunctionp-i-n solar cells. Moreover, a clear dependence ofV
bon the substrate materials has been observed. These experimental results are described in connection with cell performances.
TL;DR: In this article, light-induced and forward bias current effects were studied on p-i-n hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells with various i layer thickness.
Patent•
28 Apr 1983
TL;DR: In this article, a method of making a solar cell has the following steps: (1) Formation of a surface layer including a dopant on a silicon substrate wherein the surface layer has a higher laser absorption index than the silicon substrate.
Abstract: A method of making a solar cell has the following steps: (1) Formation of a surface layer including a dopant on a silicon substrate wherein the surface layer has a higher laser absorption index than the silicon substrate. (2) Irradiation by laser of the surface layer to form a junction in the silicon substrate.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of substrate film thickness of CuxS-CdyZn1-yS chemically sprayed thin film solar cells were examined based on a simple structural model.
Abstract: The study of ultra-thin polycrystalline thin films for use in solar cells is an area of significant research importance because of the low cost of materials. This advantage, however, is often off-set by the rather complex structural properties resulting in inferior photovoltaic performance. This work examines the effects of substrate film thickness of CuxS-CdyZn1-yS chemically sprayed thin film solar cells and analyses the results based on a simple structural model previously proposed by Kwok (1978). It was observed that for cells made on very thin substrates, leakage effect apparently dominated the photovoltaic characteristics resulting in rather low photovoltaic outputs. When the film thickness was increased to above 4.5 mu m, the cell properties were mostly influenced by the junction profile and the surface properties. This would result in a significantly reduced open-circuit voltage. Both effects were apparently structure dependent.
TL;DR: In this article, an AES analysis indicates that sputter etching of the Zn3P2 wafer surface before depositing ITO is of great importance in achieving a better performance as a solar cell.
Abstract: Zinc phosphide (Zn3P2)/indium-tin oxide (ITO) heterojunction solar cells are fabricated by rf sputter depositing ITO on large grain polycrystalline Zn3P2 wafers. An AES analysis indicates that sputter etching of the Zn3P2 wafer surface before depositing ITO is of great importance in achieving a better performance as a solar cell. The passivation of Zn3P2 by reaction with atomic hydrogen is found to improve the cell performance significantly. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency of 2.1% (6 mm2 in active area) has been obtained without antireflection coating.
TL;DR: In this paper, the photovoltaic and structural properties of a CuInSe 2 /CdS solar cell, in which the CuSe 2 was a large grained polycrystal and a low resistivity thin film of undoped CdS was evaporated over it, are described.
Patent•
01 Aug 1983
TL;DR: In this article, a heterojunction photovoltaic device, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in highly efficient phot-voltaic cells and radiometric detection cells.
Abstract: A heterojunction photovoltaic device, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in highly efficient photovoltaic cells and radiometric detection cells.
TL;DR: A number of solid state organic solar cells have been prepared and tested in simulated sunlight as mentioned in this paper, and the most efficient device consisted of a sandwich of thin layers of indium-tin oxide/malachite green/a benzothiazole-rhodanine merocyanine/Au on Pyrex.
Abstract: A number of solid state organic solar cells have been prepared and tested in simulated sunlight. Photovoltaic effects were consistent with the formation of a rectifying junction at the interface between a triphenylmethane dye (n-type) and a merocyanine dye (p-type). The most efficient device consisted of a sandwich of thin layers of indium-tin oxide/malachite green/a benzothiazole-rhodanine merocyanine/Au on Pyrex. Exposure of the cell to chlorine vapour in the absence of air improved the sunlight efficiency to 0.12%. Investigations of the photocurrent action spectrum, rectification and capacitance have given mechanistic information on the photovoltaic energy conversion processes.
TL;DR: In this article, the process of the electrodeposition in the dark on defective layered semiconductor electrodes has been examined under various experimental conditions, and the results indicate that selective electrodepositions of non-conductive polymers on the crystal surface, may be used to stabilise the layered semiconductors, in view of their utilisation in photoelectrochemical solar cells.
Patent•
16 Aug 1983TL;DR: In this paper, a method for manufacturing finger type electrode structures which form electric contacts at solar cells consisting of amorphous silicon was proposed, which enables the manufacture of very low resistance contact fingers at a p-i-n type solar cell provided with an ITO (In/Sn/oxide) layer.
Abstract: A method for manufacturing finger type electrode structures which form electric contacts at solar cells consisting of amorphous silicon. The substrate is first coated with a chromium-nickel layer and then a substantially pure nickel layer. After immersion in a mildly activated fluxing agent, a tin alloy layer is applied by dipping. The method enables the manufacture of very low resistance contact fingers at a p-i-n type solar cell provided with an ITO (In/Sn/oxide) layer.
Patent•
02 Jun 1983
TL;DR: In this article, a solar cell is covered with solderable metals, including tin, silver, copper, and nickel, with aluminum, and the contacts are formed by spraying the metals onto the cell surfaces, together or as layers, with an aluminum-containing layer in direct contact with cell surfaces.
Abstract: Electrically conductive contacts containing solderable metals, including tin, silver, copper and nickel, with aluminum are formed on the front and/or back surfaces of a solar cell. They are deposited by spraying the metals onto the cell surfaces, together or as layers, with an aluminum-containing layer in direct contact with the cell surfaces.
TL;DR: In this article, photo-induced changes in the performance of a-SiC:H/a-Si:H heterojunction solar cells were investigated under illuminations of 1 sun and 10 suns.
TL;DR: In this paper, the first optically enhanced thin-film solar cells are described, which yield short circuit currents ∼3 mA/cm2 greater than comparable unenhanced cells, due to trapping of weakly adsorbed photons in the semiconductor that have been scattered by textured surfaces within the cell.
Abstract: Fabrication methods used to produce the first optically enhanced thin film solar cells are described. Optically enhanced 0.6–1 μm thick a‐SiHx solar cells have been fabricated which yield short circuit currents ∼3 mA/cm2 greater than comparable unenhanced cells. This respresents a ∼20% improvement in the short circuit current and is due to trapping of weakly adsorbed photons in the semiconductor that have been scattered by textured surfaces within the cell. Texturing of the cell must be such that light is efficiently scattered, and the roughness must not produce shorting of the front surface transparent conductor with the rear electrical contact. To produce the required texture, thin film solar cells are deposited on the surface of substrates patterned with microstructures created using a new lithographic method (natural lithography). Other considerations for fabrication of enhanced PIN a‐SiHx cells include (1) production of reflector geometrics which minimize parasitic optical absorption and (2) creation...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the metal-insulator-semiconductor structure of silicon solar cells and showed that neither of these conditions will be satisfied in the near or intermediate term, and the spray deposition of conductive oxide semiconductors seems to be most promising for large-scale production.
08 Sep 1983
TL;DR: A roll-to-roll plasma deposition machine for depositing multi-layered amorphous alloys has been developed by Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. as mentioned in this paper, which has multiple deposition areas and processes 16-inch wide stainless steel substrate continuously.
Abstract: A roll-to-roll plasma deposition machine for depositing multi-layered amorphous alloys has been developed. The plasma deposition machine (approximately 35 ft. long) has multiple deposition areas and processes 16-inch wide stainless steel substrate continuously. Amorphous photovoltaic thin films (less than 1pm) having a six layered structure (PINPIN) are deposited on a roll of 16-inch wide 1000 ft. long stainless steel substrate, continu-ously, in a single pass. Mass production of low-cost tandem amorphous solar cells utilizing roll-to-roll processes is now possible. A commercial plant utilizing this plasma deposition machine for manufacturing tandem amorphous silicon alloy solar cells is now in operation. At Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD), one of the major tasks of the photovoltaic group has been the scale-up of the plasma deposition process for the production of amorphous silicon alloy solar cells. Our object has been to develop the most cost effective way of producing amorphous silicon alloy solar cells having the highest efficiency. The amorphous silicon alloy solar cell which we produce has the following layer structure: 1. Thin steel substrate. 2. Multi-layered photovoltaic amorphous silicon alloy layers (approximately 1pm thick; tandem cells have six layers). 3. ITO. 4. Grid pattern. 5. Encapsulant. The deposition of the amorphous layer is technologically the key process. It was clear to us from the beginning of this scale-up program that amorphous silicon alloy solar cells produced in wide width, continuous roll-to-roll production process would be ultimate lowest cost solar cells according to the following reasons. First of all, the material cost of our solar cells is low because: (1) the total thickness of active material is less than 1pm, and the material usage is very small; (2) silicon, fluorine, hydrogen, and other materials used in the device are abundant and low cost; (3) thin, low-cost substrate is used; and (4) product yield is high. In addition, the development of high efficiency cells in future time will further reduce the material cost. Secondly, the labor cost associated with the production of our solar cells is low because our process utilizes simple, high production rate, highly automated processing for the complete fabrication of photovoltaic modules. Specifically, six layers of tandem amorphous silicon alloy solar cell are plasma-deposited on a roll of wide stainless steel substrate, continuously in a single pass. Over one order of magnitude increase in the line speed is straightforward from an engineering point of view. Other downstream process steps for the fabrication of photovoltaic modules also utilize simple, high production rate, highly automated machineries.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
TL;DR: In this paper, a combination of transient solar cell degradation and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements on p-i-n (where i denotes an intrinsic layer) and Schottky barrier hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells was used to show that a deep electron trap having nearly the same energy for electron capture or release is responsible for many of the aspects of solar cells degradation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a procedure for calculating the optical behavior of thin film solar cells with the aid of computer simulations is outlined, which can be easily adapted for calculations on p-i-n cells, tandem cells and multijunction cells.