Hybrid Solar Cell Structure for Lower Parasitic Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar batteries face challenges in reducing parasitic absorption and production costs while improving conversion efficiency, particularly in the design and combination of film layers across different battery types.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid solar battery design featuring a silicon substrate with a tunneling layer, intrinsic amorphous silicon layer, and optimized doped and conductive layers, which reduces parasitic absorption and production costs by enhancing conversion efficiency through a passivated contact structure and heterojunction configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional film layer structures are used in solar batteries, then manufacturing processes are simplified, but parasitic absorption increases and conversion efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidparasitic absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the film layer structure into functionally distinct segments: a tunneling oxide layer (5-20 nm) for carrier selection, an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer (3-15 nm) for passivation, and selective contact layers. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function, reducing overall parasitic absorption while maintaining manufacturability through standardized deposition processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining crystalline silicon substrate with amorphous silicon oxide layers and intrinsic amorphous silicon layers. This composite approach creates a heterojunction that reduces parasitic absorption by minimizing carrier recombination at interfaces while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If multiple battery types are combined to utilize their advantages, then conversion efficiency improves, but structural redesign complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidstructural redesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of different battery architectures by integrating a tunneling oxide passivated contact structure with an intrinsic amorphous silicon heterojunction layer. This combination unifies carrier selection and passivation functions into a single integrated structure, improving conversion efficiency without requiring separate structural redesigns for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tunneling oxide layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a selective contact for carrier extraction, provides interface passivation, and enables the heterojunction formation. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated layers for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If film layer thickness is increased to improve passivation, then conversion efficiency improves, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes film layer thickness parameters to achieve optimal performance: the tunneling oxide layer is maintained at 5-20 nm and the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer at 3-15 nm. These parameter changes balance passivation effectiveness with material consumption, improving conversion efficiency while controlling production costs through precise thickness control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The hybrid solar battery achieves higher conversion efficiency and reduced parasitic absorption by optimizing the film layer arrangement, improving spectral response, and lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a tunneling layer located between the silicon substrate and the first surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuantum tunneling:

Implementation Method 2

an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer located between the silicon substrate and the second surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface passivation:

Implementation Method 3

Hybrid solar battery and photovoltaic module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4462489A1Hybrid solar battery and photovoltaic module
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 TRINA SOLAR CO LTD
  • EP4462489A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462489A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4462489A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application provides a hybrid solar battery, composing of: a first surface and a second surface opposing to each other, and the hybrid solar battery is further composed of a silicon substrate; a tunneling layer located between the silicon substrate and the first surface; and an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer is located between the silicon substrate and the second surface. The hybrid solar battery and photovoltaic module proposed in this application can reduce the parasitic absorption of the film layer the production cost on the basis of improving the conversion efficiency of the battery.