Solar Cell Tunneling Layer Thickness Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar cells have low efficiency due to suboptimal design of layers and electrodes, which hinders their practical application as alternative energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell design featuring a semiconductor substrate with a tunneling layer having distinct thickness portions, conductive type regions, and electrodes, where the tunneling layer's second portion with a greater thickness prevents unnecessary carrier tunneling and recombination, enhancing efficiency by maximizing carrier collection and reducing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional solar cell design with uniform layer thickness is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency is low due to unnecessary carrier tunneling and recombination
Solution Approach 1:
The tunneling layer is divided into multiple portions with different thicknesses: a first portion with first thickness over the first and second conductive type regions, and a second portion with second thickness (greater than the first) over the boundary portion between conductive type regions. This segmentation prevents unnecessary carrier tunneling at boundaries while maintaining efficient tunneling over the conductive regions, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tunneling layer are given different thicknesses according to their specific functional requirements. The first portion has a thinner structure optimized for carrier tunneling over conductive regions, while the second portion has a thicker structure optimized for preventing carrier tunneling at boundaries. This local differentiation of structure quality resolves the contradiction between efficiency and complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the tunneling layer has greater thickness to prevent carrier tunneling, then recombination losses are reduced, but carrier collection efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tunneling layer is segmented into first and second portions with different thicknesses. The first portion maintains sufficient thickness for effective carrier tunneling and collection, while the second portion increases thickness specifically at boundary regions to prevent unwanted carrier tunneling and recombination. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both carrier collection and recombination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunneling layer exhibits local quality variation where the first portion has optimized thickness for carrier collection and the second portion has increased thickness for recombination prevention. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate thickness characteristics to different functional zones within the same layer.
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 enhanced solar cell design improves photoelectric conversion efficiency and reduces recombination losses, leading to increased open circuit voltage and short-circuit current, making solar cells more viable as alternative energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a tunneling layer on one surface of the semiconductor substrate... The tunneling layer includes a first portion and a second portion... The first portion is disposed to correspond to at least a part of the first and second conductive type regions
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell is discussed, which includes a tunneling layer on one surface of a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a second conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode connected to the first conductive type region and the second electrode connected to the second conductive type region. The tunneling layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed to correspond to at least a part of the first and second conductive type regions and has a first thickness. At least a part of the second portion is disposed to correspond to a boundary portion between the first conductive type region and the second conductive type region. The second portion has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.