Solar Cell Textured Surface and Emitter Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar cells face inefficiencies due to reflectance issues and charge disappearance caused by the size and shape of textured surfaces and emitter regions, leading to reduced current generation from short wavelength light.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell design featuring a substrate with a textured surface of jagged portions less than 1 μm in diameter and height, an emitter region with increased sheet resistance and reduced thickness, and electrodes with specific dimensions and orientations to enhance light absorption and charge collection, including an anti-reflection layer to improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the textured surface has larger jagged portions, then light absorption is improved, but charge disappearance increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the size of jagged portions to have a diameter and height of 1 μm or less, and by adjusting emitter region thickness to 150-450 nm with sheet resistance of 80-150 Ω/sq. These specific parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by finding the optimal size range that maximizes light absorption while minimizing charge disappearance.
2Reliability
If the emitter region thickness is increased, then charge collection is improved, but light absorption of short wavelength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the emitter region thickness to a specific range of 150-450 nm with sheet resistance of 80-150 Ω/sq. This parameter optimization allows the emitter region to be thin enough to absorb short wavelength light effectively while maintaining sufficient thickness and conductivity for adequate charge collection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electrode width is decreased, then light absorption area is increased, but charge collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform electrode structure with first electrodes of optimized width (20-80 μm) and first electrode charge collectors extending in a crossing direction. This local structural differentiation allows narrow first electrodes to maximize light absorption area while the crossing charge collectors provide sufficient charge collection pathways, resolving the contradiction between electrode width and dual functionality.
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 reduces reflectance, increases light absorption, and minimizes charge disappearance, resulting in improved solar cell efficiency and current generation by optimizing the textured surface and emitter region characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate having a textured surface, the textured surface including a plurality of jagged portions
Implementation Method 2
The design reduces reflectance, increases light absorption
Implementation Method 3
When light is incident on the solar cell, a plurality of electron-hole pairs are generated in the semiconductors. The electron-hole pairs are separated into electrons and holes by the photovoltaic effect.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell includes a substrate having a textured surface, the textured surface including a plurality of jagged portions; an emitter region forming a p-n junction with the substrate; a plurality of first electrodes connected to the emitter region; and a second electrode connected to the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of jagged portions has a diameter and a height that are equal to or less than 1 μm, and each of the plurality of first electrodes has a width of about 20 μm to about 80 μm.