Photovoltaic Cell Texture Layout for Lower Carrier Recombination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photovoltaic cells have low photoelectric conversion efficiency due to carrier recombination at the front surface and poor uniformity of texture structures, leading to increased interface defects and reduced mobility of carriers.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic cell design featuring metal and non-metal pattern regions with specific pyramid structures and doped conductive layers, where the area proportion and dimensions of pyramid structures are optimized to enhance uniformity and light absorption, reducing interface defects and improving carrier mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional texture treatment is performed on the substrate, then light absorption is improved, but carrier recombination at the front surface increases and photoelectric conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the front surface into metal pattern regions and non-metal pattern regions with different pyramid structure characteristics. Metal pattern regions have larger pyramid structures (first and second pyramid structures) optimized for carrier collection, while non-metal pattern regions have smaller pyramid structures (third and fourth pyramid structures) optimized for light trapping. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of light absorption and carrier recombination reduction in different areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The front surface is segmented into distinct metal and non-metal pattern regions, each with independently optimized pyramid structures. This segmentation allows the patent to address the conflicting requirements of light absorption (benefiting from larger structures) and carrier recombination reduction (benefiting from smaller structures) in different spatial zones, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform pyramid structures are applied across the entire front surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but interface defects increase and carrier mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different pyramid structure configurations are applied to metal and non-metal pattern regions. Metal pattern regions use larger pyramids with specific area proportions (first pyramid structures: 60-80% of metal region area) optimized for electrical contact and carrier collection, while non-metal regions use smaller pyramids optimized for light management. This local quality differentiation improves interface quality and carrier mobility while maintaining manufacturability through a systematic design approach.
3Use of energy by moving object
If larger pyramid structures are used to enhance light absorption, then photoelectric conversion efficiency improves, but carrier recombination increases due to increased interface defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the front surface into metal and non-metal pattern regions. In metal pattern regions, larger pyramid structures (first and second pyramids) are used to maximize light absorption and carrier collection where metal contacts are present. In non-metal pattern regions, smaller pyramid structures (third and fourth pyramids) are used to reduce interface defects while maintaining adequate light trapping. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different structure scales to different functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of pyramid structure size based on the regional function. Metal pattern regions employ larger pyramids (first type with greater base area) optimized for electrical performance, while non-metal regions employ smaller pyramids (second type with lesser base area) optimized for reducing interface defects. This parameter differentiation allows the system to achieve high photoelectric conversion efficiency without excessive carrier recombination.
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 design improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency by increasing the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current through enhanced light absorption and reduced carrier recombination, while maintaining low reflectivity and minimizing interface defects.
Implementation Method 1
The texture structure has an important influence on absorption of incident light of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a front surface and a rear surface of a substrate have a texture structure
Implementation Method 3
Photovoltaic cells have good photoelectric conversion capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic cell is provided, including a substrate having a front surface with metal and non-metal pattern regions, first and second pyramid structures in each metal pattern region, third and fourth pyramid structures in each non-metal pattern region, a first tunneling layer and a first doped conductive layer on a portion of the front surface in a respective metal pattern region, and a second tunneling layer and a second doped conductive layer on a rear surface of the substrate. A dimension of a bottom portion of each first pyramid structure is greater than that of each second pyramid structure. A dimension of a bottom portion of each third pyramid structure is greater than that of each fourth pyramid structure. An area proportion of the first pyramid structures in the metal pattern region is greater than that of the third pyramid structures in a respective non-metal pattern region.