High-performance hetero-junction crystalline silicon photovoltaic technology

J. Levrat, C. Allebé, N. Badel, L. Barraud, M. Bonnet-Eymard, J. Champliaud, F. Debrot, A. Descoeudres, A. Faes, A. Lachowicz, S. Nicolay, L. Sansonnens, C. Ballif, J. Geissbühler, S. De Wolf, M. Despeisse

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Silicon heterojunction solar cell technology (HJT) takes advantage of ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers deposited on both sides of monocrystalline silicon wafers, enabling excellent silicon wafer surface passivation resulting in high device power output and in addition to efficient use of thin wafers. A full cell processing platform was developed in our laboratory, enabling to achieve > 22 % cell efficiency. Advanced concepts for metallization and interconnection are under study, from fine-line printing combined with SmartWire interconnection to Copper plating. Importantly, we show that the HJT technology intrinsically enables high bifaciality of the cells (> 95 %), and further demonstrates a low thermal coefficient (< 0.2 - 0.3 %/°C). The high performance of heterojunction cells and SmartWire interconnection based modules allow for very low cost of electricity for Heterojunction based solar systems, with a potential below 6 Euro cents per kWh in Europe, bringing photovoltaics as a very competitive electricity source. It further provides upgrade potential towards 24 % cell efficiency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2014
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1218-1222
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781479943982
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event40th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2014 - Denver, United States
Duration: Jun 8 2014Jun 13 2014

Publication series

Name2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2014

Other

Other40th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver
Period06/8/1406/13/14

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 IEEE.

Keywords

  • Grid
  • SmartWire
  • amorphous materials
  • cell interconnection
  • effective optical width
  • hetero-junction
  • metallization
  • passivation
  • photovoltaic cells
  • silicon

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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