Back-Contact Solar Cell Electrode Partitioning for Carrier Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional back electrode type solar cells face challenges in extracting output when specific regions, such as through holes, are formed, leading to potential separation of electrode finger parts and impaired carrier extraction.
Innovation Solution
The solar cell design incorporates partitioned regions with strip branch electrode layers and trunk electrode layers that form a frame electrode layer, ensuring that branch electrode layers are connected to trunk electrode layers, even around specific regions like through holes, to maintain efficient carrier collection and output extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specific regions (through holes) are formed in the solar cell for device integration, then adaptability to various device shapes is improved, but the electrode finger parts may separate and carrier extraction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell structure is divided into multiple partitioned regions separated by non-electrode regions, allowing the electrode layers to be segmented into branch electrodes and trunk electrodes that can independently function in different zones
Solution Approach 2:
Trunk electrode layers serve as intermediary structures that connect branch electrodes across partitioned regions, ensuring continuous carrier extraction paths even when specific regions interrupt the direct connection between electrodes
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional back electrode type solar cell structure is used, then sunlight reception efficiency is improved, but output extraction becomes difficult when specific regions are present
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into branch electrodes for local carrier collection and trunk electrodes for main current transport, enabling flexible routing around specific regions while maintaining efficient output extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration utilizes both planar arrangement and vertical layering (first and second electrode layers at different positions) to create three-dimensional current extraction paths that can navigate around specific regions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design facilitates effective extraction of solar cell output even with specific regions, enhancing the solar cell's efficiency and adaptability for various device shapes, including wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell having no electrode layer provided thereon and having high efficiency in receiving sunlight as compared with a conventional solar cell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A back-contact electrode-type solar cell comprising a semiconductor substrate, a first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and a first and second electrode layer. On one main surface, there are multiple first specific regions that do not include the first or second conductivity-type semiconductor layers, and there are multiple partition regions which partition the one main surface into multiple regions that enclose the first specific regions. In each of the multiple partition regions, the first and second electrode layers each comprises multiple band-shape branch electrode layers and a trunk electrode layer to which one end of the branch electrode layers is connected. Part of the multiple branch electrode layers of the first or second electrode layers encloses at least part of the outer edge of the first specific regions, and the trunk electrode layers of the first and second electrode layers comprise a frame electrode layer that encloses the partition regions.