Abstract
The global photovoltaic (PV) market is dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) based technologies with heavily doped, directly metallized contacts. Recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes at the contact regions is increasingly constraining the power conversion efficiencies of these devices as other performance-limiting energy losses are overcome. To move forward, c-Si PV technologies must implement alternative contacting approaches. Passivating contacts, which incorporate thin films within the contact structure that simultaneously supress recombination and promote charge-carrier selectivity, are a promising next step for the mainstream c-Si PV industry. In this work, we review the fundamental physical processes governing contact formation in c-Si. In doing so we identify the role passivating contacts play in increasing c-Si solar cell efficiencies beyond the limitations imposed by heavy doping and direct metallization. Strategies towards the implementation of passivating contacts in industrial environments are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 914-928 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Nature Energy |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 16 2019 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): OSR-CRG URF/1/3383
Acknowledgements: The work was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) under award no. OSR-CRG URF/1/3383, as well as funding from Saudi Aramco. Figures 2 and 4, as well as the text box images, were created by Heno Hwang, scientific illustrator at KAUST. T.G.A. and J.B. would like to thank prof. Andres Cuevas for guidance and feedback related to the physics of passivating contacts.
