Reducing surface recombination and enhancing light trapping in solar cells

Abstract

Methods of improving the anti-reflection properties of one or more dielectric layers and reducing surface recombination of generated carriers of a solar cell are disclosed. In some embodiments, dopants are introduced into the dielectric layers to improve their anti-reflection properties. In other embodiments, species are introduced into the dielectric layers to create electrical fields which repel the minority carriers away from the surface arid toward the contacts. In another embodiment, mobiles species are introduced to the anti-reflective coating, which cause carrier to be repelled from the surface of the solar cell. By creating a barrier at the surface of the solar cell, undesired recombination at the surface may be reduced.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to dielectrics in solar cells, and more particularly to methods for enhancing the optical properties of the dielectric layers of solar cells. Background technique [0002] Ion implantation is a standard technique for introducing impurities into a substrate that alter the conductivity type. The desired impurity material is ionized in the ion source, and the ions are accelerated to form an ion beam with a predetermined energy, and then the ion beam is irradiated on the surface of the substrate. The energetic ions in the ion beam penetrate into the bulk of the substrate material and become embedded in the crystalline lattice of the substrate material to form regions of the desired conductivity type. [0003] Solar cells harness natural resources at no cost to provide pollution-free and equitably accessible energy. Solar cells, which can be made from silicon substrates, are becoming increasingly important globally due to env...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In addition, light trapping is not optimal and dielectric layers such as nitride or oxide layers absorb ultraviolet (UV) light

This reduces the UV collection efficiency of the solar cell

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