IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v135y2014icp158-164.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enhancement in electrical performance of thin-film silicon solar cells based on a micro- and nano-textured zinc oxide electrodes

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Ze
  • Zhang, Xiao-dan
  • Fang, Jia
  • Liang, Jun-hui
  • Liang, Xue-jiao
  • Sun, Jian
  • Zhang, De-kun
  • Wang, Ning
  • Zhao, Hui-xu
  • Chen, Xin-liang
  • Huang, Qian
  • Wei, Chang-chun
  • Zhao, Ying

Abstract

Boron-doped ZnO (BZO) films deposited by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) generally act as transparent conductive oxide films in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells and exhibit a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) performance in the short-wavelength region. They, therefore, facilitate efficient use of sunlight in solar cells. However, sharp surface features on the BZO film may result in nano-cracks and voids in the cells. In this study, we devised a process for modifying these sharp features. The BZO films were smoothened by performing a sputtering hydrogen-doped ZnO (HZO) layer using a magnetron sputtering system. The a-Si:H solar cells based on BZO films subjected to this treatment exhibited a higher open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and efficiency; however, their short-circuit current density (Jsc) decreased slightly. In an attempt to increase the Jsc while maintaining a high electrical performance for the solar cells, we deposited an additional thin BZO film on the sputter-treated one to realize a micro- and nano-textured structure. This strategy succeeded in increasing Jsc and also caused a further improvement in the Voc, FF, and efficiency. As a result, over 10% efficiency of a-Si:H solar cells based on BZO electrodes with a micro- and nano-textured structure was achieved. Moreover, the thickness of the cell is only 300nm.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Ze & Zhang, Xiao-dan & Fang, Jia & Liang, Jun-hui & Liang, Xue-jiao & Sun, Jian & Zhang, De-kun & Wang, Ning & Zhao, Hui-xu & Chen, Xin-liang & Huang, Qian & Wei, Chang-chun & Zhao, Ying, 2014. "Enhancement in electrical performance of thin-film silicon solar cells based on a micro- and nano-textured zinc oxide electrodes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 158-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:135:y:2014:i:c:p:158-164
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.08.097
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261914009209
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.08.097?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen, Da Ming & Liang, Zong Cun & Zhuang, Lin & Lin, Yang Huan & Shen, Hui, 2012. "A novel method to achieve selective emitter for silicon solar cell using low cost pattern-able a-Si thin films as the semi-transparent phosphorus diffusion barrier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 315-321.
    2. Chae, Young Tae & Kim, Jeehwan & Park, Hongsik & Shin, Byungha, 2014. "Building energy performance evaluation of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) window with semi-transparent solar cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 217-227.
    3. Kwak, Byeong Sub & Chae, Jinho & Kang, Misook, 2014. "Design of a photochemical water electrolysis system based on a W-typed dye-sensitized serial solar module for high hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 189-196.
    4. Kuznetsov, I.A. & Greenfield, M.J. & Mehta, Y.U. & Merchan-Merchan, W. & Salkar, G. & Saveliev, A.V., 2011. "Increasing the solar cell power output by coating with transition metal-oxide nanorods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 4218-4221.
    5. Shou, Chunhui & Luo, Zhongyang & Wang, Tao & Shen, Weidong & Rosengarten, Gary & Wei, Wei & Wang, Cheng & Ni, Mingjiang & Cen, Kefa, 2012. "Investigation of a broadband TiO2/SiO2 optical thin-film filter for hybrid solar power systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 298-306.
    6. Goe, Michele & Gaustad, Gabrielle, 2014. "Identifying critical materials for photovoltaics in the US: A multi-metric approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 387-396.
    7. Su, Shanhe & Liu, Tie & Wang, Yuan & Chen, Xiaohang & Wang, Jintong & Chen, Jincan, 2014. "Performance optimization analyses and parametric design criteria of a dye-sensitized solar cell thermoelectric hybrid device," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 16-22.
    8. Menoufi, Karim & Chemisana, Daniel & Rosell, Joan I., 2013. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Building Integrated Concentrated Photovoltaic scheme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 505-514.
    9. Piliougine, Michel & Elizondo, David & Mora-López, Llanos & Sidrach-de-Cardona, Mariano, 2013. "Multilayer perceptron applied to the estimation of the influence of the solar spectral distribution on thin-film photovoltaic modules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 610-617.
    10. Nofuentes, G. & García-Domingo, B. & Muñoz, J.V. & Chenlo, F., 2014. "Analysis of the dependence of the spectral factor of some PV technologies on the solar spectrum distribution," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 302-309.
    11. Hamdy, M.A. & El-Hefnawi, S.H., 1990. "Effect of spectrally selective liquid absorption-filters on silicon solar-cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 177-188.
    12. Bustamante, Michele L. & Gaustad, Gabrielle, 2014. "Challenges in assessment of clean energy supply-chains based on byproduct minerals: A case study of tellurium use in thin film photovoltaics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 397-414.
    13. Eke, Rustu & Senturk, Ali, 2013. "Monitoring the performance of single and triple junction amorphous silicon modules in two building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 154-162.
    14. Pathak, M.J.M. & Sanders, P.G. & Pearce, J.M., 2014. "Optimizing limited solar roof access by exergy analysis of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 115-124.
    15. Gaur, Ankita & Tiwari, G.N., 2014. "Performance of a-Si thin film PV modules with and without water flow: An experimental validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 184-191.
    16. Che, Quande & Yang, Hongxing & Lu, Lin & Wang, Yuanhao, 2013. "Preparation of lead-free nanoglass frit powder for crystalline silicon solar cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 657-662.
    17. Liu, Yong & Wang, Hai & Shen, Hui & Chen, Wei, 2010. "The 3-dimensional dye-sensitized solar cell and module based on all titanium substrates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 436-441, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mateo, C. & Hernández-Fenollosa, M.A. & Montero, Á. & Seguí-Chilet, S., 2018. "Analysis of initial stabilization of cell efficiency in amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules under real outdoor conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 114-125.
    2. Lee, Hyo Mun & Yoon, Jong Ho, 2018. "Power performance analysis of a transparent DSSC BIPV window based on 2 year measurement data in a full-scale mock-up," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 1013-1021.
    3. Moreno-Sáez, Rafael & Sidrach-de-Cardona, Mariano & Mora-López, Llanos, 2016. "Analysis and characterization of photovoltaic modules of three different thin-film technologies in outdoor conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 827-838.
    4. Wu, Jinshun & Zhang, Xingxing & Shen, Jingchun & Wu, Yupeng & Connelly, Karen & Yang, Tong & Tang, Llewellyn & Xiao, Manxuan & Wei, Yixuan & Jiang, Ke & Chen, Chao & Xu, Peng & Wang, Hong, 2017. "A review of thermal absorbers and their integration methods for the combined solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 839-854.
    5. Chatzipanagi, Anatoli & Frontini, Francesco & Virtuani, Alessandro, 2016. "BIPV-temp: A demonstrative Building Integrated Photovoltaic installation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1-12.
    6. Cannavale, Alessandro & Ierardi, Laura & Hörantner, Maximilian & Eperon, Giles E. & Snaith, Henry J. & Ayr, Ubaldo & Martellotta, Francesco, 2017. "Improving energy and visual performance in offices using building integrated perovskite-based solar cells: A case study in Southern Italy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 834-846.
    7. Tiantian Zhang & Meng Wang & Hongxing Yang, 2018. "A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-34, November.
    8. Alessandro Cannavale & Francesco Martellotta & Francesco Fiorito & Ubaldo Ayr, 2020. "The Challenge for Building Integration of Highly Transparent Photovoltaics and Photoelectrochromic Devices," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    9. Halawa, Edward & Ghaffarianhoseini, Amirhosein & Ghaffarianhoseini, Ali & Trombley, Jeremy & Hassan, Norhaslina & Baig, Mirza & Yusoff, Safiah Yusmah & Azzam Ismail, Muhammad, 2018. "A review on energy conscious designs of building façades in hot and humid climates: Lessons for (and from) Kuala Lumpur and Darwin," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2147-2161.
    10. Elshkaki, Ayman & Graedel, T.E., 2015. "Solar cell metals and their hosts: A tale of oversupply and undersupply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 167-177.
    11. Hu, Jianhui & Chen, Wujun & Yang, Deqing & Zhao, Bing & Song, Hao & Ge, Binbin, 2016. "Energy performance of ETFE cushion roof integrated photovoltaic/thermal system on hot and cold days," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 40-51.
    12. Contento, Gaetano & Lorenzi, Bruno & Rizzo, Antonella & Narducci, Dario, 2017. "Efficiency enhancement of a-Si and CZTS solar cells using different thermoelectric hybridization strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 230-238.
    13. Chiu, Jian-Ming & Chu, Chih-Chien & Zena, Desalegn Manayeh & Tai, Yian, 2015. "Simultaneous enhancement of photocurrent and open circuit voltage in a ZnO based organic solar cell by mixed self-assembled monolayers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 681-686.
    14. Otanicar, Todd P. & Theisen, Stephen & Norman, Tyler & Tyagi, Himanshu & Taylor, Robert A., 2015. "Envisioning advanced solar electricity generation: Parametric studies of CPV/T systems with spectral filtering and high temperature PV," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 224-233.
    15. Cannavale, Alessandro & Hörantner, Maximilian & Eperon, Giles E. & Snaith, Henry J. & Fiorito, Francesco & Ayr, Ubaldo & Martellotta, Francesco, 2017. "Building integration of semitransparent perovskite-based solar cells: Energy performance and visual comfort assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 94-107.
    16. Benjamin C. McLellan & Eiji Yamasue & Tetsuo Tezuka & Glen Corder & Artem Golev & Damien Giurco, 2016. "Critical Minerals and Energy–Impacts and Limitations of Moving to Unconventional Resources," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-40, May.
    17. Torres-Ramírez, M. & Nofuentes, G. & Silva, J.P. & Silvestre, S. & Muñoz, J.V., 2014. "Study on analytical modelling approaches to the performance of thin film PV modules in sunny inland climates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 731-740.
    18. Daxini, Rajiv & Sun, Yanyi & Wilson, Robin & Wu, Yupeng, 2022. "Direct spectral distribution characterisation using the Average Photon Energy for improved photovoltaic performance modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 1176-1188.
    19. Benhammane, Mousaab & Notton, Gilles & Pichenot, Grégoire & Voarino, Philippe & Ouvrard, David, 2021. "Overview of electrical power models for concentrated photovoltaic systems and development of a new operational model with easily accessible inputs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    20. Helbig, Christoph & Bradshaw, Alex M. & Kolotzek, Christoph & Thorenz, Andrea & Tuma, Axel, 2016. "Supply risks associated with CdTe and CIGS thin-film photovoltaics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 422-433.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:135:y:2014:i:c:p:158-164. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.