Solar Cell Window Layer with Conductive Nanoparticles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar cells, particularly CIGS-based ones, face challenges in achieving improved electrical and optical properties such as low resistance and high transmittance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a window layer with a plurality of conductive particles, specifically a nano-particle layer, which reduces resistance and enhances transmittance through the plasmon phenomenon, allowing for a thinner layer with sufficient conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional window layer is used in solar cells, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the resistance is high and transmittance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The window layer is constructed as a composite material combining transparent conductive oxide (TCO) with metal nanoparticles (silver, aluminum, or copper). This composite structure integrates the transparency of TCO with the high conductivity of metal particles, simultaneously improving both optical transmittance and electrical conductivity while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
Metal particles are selectively distributed within the window layer at specific locations and concentrations. The non-uniform distribution of conductive particles creates localized conductive pathways that enhance overall conductivity without compromising the transparency of the entire window layer, thus improving electrical and optical properties without excessive complexity
2Reliability
If the window layer thickness is increased to improve conductivity, then resistance decreases, but transmittance deteriorates and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the window layer by incorporating metal particles with specific size ranges (5-50 nm diameter) and controlled concentrations (0.1-5 wt%). These parameter changes enable the window layer to achieve high conductivity at reduced thickness (50-200 nm), thereby decreasing both material usage and maintaining transmittance while improving conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of TCO matrix with dispersed metal particles provides dual functionality: the TCO ensures transparency and basic conductivity, while the metal particles provide enhanced conductive pathways. This allows the window layer to be thinner with less material while maintaining or improving conductivity and transmittance simultaneously
3Reliability
If the window layer thickness is increased to ensure sufficient conductivity, then resistance decreases, but transmittance and processing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the composition parameters to include metal particles with optimized size and concentration, the window layer achieves sufficient conductivity at reduced thickness. This parameter optimization allows thinner layers to be deposited more quickly while maintaining electrical performance, thereby improving processing efficiency without sacrificing conductivity
4Quantity of substance
If a thinner window layer is used to improve transmittance and reduce material usage, then conductivity decreases, but this invention achieves sufficient conductivity at reduced thickness through conductive particles
Solution Approach 1:
The composite of TCO and metal particles creates a synergistic effect where the metal particles provide high-conductivity pathways that compensate for the reduced thickness. The metal particles act as conductive bridges that maintain electrical performance even when the overall layer thickness and material quantity are reduced
Solution Approach 2:
The strategic distribution of metal particles creates localized conductive networks within the thinner window layer. These localized conductive regions provide sufficient overall conductivity without requiring increased thickness or material quantity, thus resolving the contradiction between material reduction and conductivity maintenance
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 solar cell achieves improved electrical and optical properties with reduced material usage and processing time, while maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
transmittance of the window layer can be improved by plasmon phenomenon caused by the conductive particles
Implementation Method 2
development of solar cells converting solar energy into electric energy is in progress
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a solar cell comprising: a substrate; a rear electrode layer disposed on the substrate; a light absorption layer disposed on the rear electrode layer; and a window layer disposed on the light absorption layer, wherein the window layer includes a plurality of conductive particles. The conductive particles improve the optical and electrical properties of the window layer.