Sub-Cell Contact Layout for Parallel Solar Cell Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems are inadequate for simultaneously characterizing multiple sub-cells resulting from the division of full cells, as they are designed primarily for testing full cells and do not allow for efficient parallel measurement of sub-cells, leading to inaccuracies and additional errors.
Innovation Solution
A contact device with a planar carrier element and holding device that enables separate back-side and common front-side or back-side contact arrangements for multiple sub-cells, allowing for simultaneous electrical characterization by connecting all front-side or back-side contacts to a common potential, facilitating parallel or serial I-V curve measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing testing systems designed for full cells are used to test sub-cells, then the existing infrastructure can be utilized, but simultaneous measurement of multiple sub-cells is not possible and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact device is segmented into multiple independent contact arrangements (first contact arrangement for first sub-cell, second contact arrangement for second sub-cell, etc.), each capable of independently contacting and measuring a specific sub-cell. This segmentation enables simultaneous measurement of multiple sub-cells while maintaining measurement accuracy for each individual sub-cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact device is designed with universal contact arrangements that can accommodate different sub-cell configurations. The same contact device structure serves multiple functions: it can contact and measure multiple sub-cells simultaneously, and the contact arrangements can be adapted to different cell types and sizes, making the system versatile for various testing scenarios.
2Loss of energy
If full cells are divided into multiple sub-cells to reduce cable losses, then cable losses are reduced, but the complexity of electrical characterization increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact arrangements for different sub-cells are merged into a single integrated contact device. This unified structure reduces the overall system complexity compared to using separate testing equipment for each sub-cell, while still enabling simultaneous measurement and maintaining reduced cable losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact device serves as an intermediary between the sub-cells and the measurement system. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the electrical characterization process by handling the complexity of multiple contacts internally, while presenting a unified connection point to the external measurement equipment.
3Measurement precision
If separate contact arrangements are used for each sub-cell to enable simultaneous measurement, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact device incorporates universal contact arrangements that can handle multiple sub-cells with a standardized design. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement accuracy for each sub-cell while avoiding the need for completely separate specialized equipment for each contact point, thereby controlling device complexity.
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
Enables accurate and efficient qualification of multiple sub-cells by reducing measurement errors and allowing for simultaneous or sequential characterization without the need for extensive system modifications, improving measurement accuracy and reducing process complexities.
Implementation Method 1
Ohmic conduction losses (Ploss=I2·Rser) occur as a result of the serial connection of the solar cells in the module
Implementation Method 2
solar cells in which electrical charge carriers are separated by exposure to light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact device for contacting multiple sub-cells of solar cells that are physically and electrically separate from one another and also to an arrangement and a method for characterising such sub-cells. The contact device comprises a planar carrier element with at least two back-side contact arrangements or at least two planar carrier elements each with at least one back-side contact arrangement, at least one front-side contact arrangement and at least one holding device for fixing the sub-cells on the planar carrier element or elements. Each back-side contact arrangement and each front-side contact arrangement corresponds to a back-side or front-side contact, respectively, of one of the sub-cells. Either the back-side contact arrangements of the individual sub-cells can be electrically contacted separately, while the front-side contact arrangements of all the sub-cells are electrically connected to a common front-contact arrangement and can be contacted with a common front-side potential, or the front-side contact arrangements of the individual sub-cells can be electrically contacted separately, while the back-side contact arrangements of all the sub-cells are electrically connected to a common back-contact arrangement and can be contacted with a common back-side potential. With the aid of the contact device, multiple sub-cells can be electrically characterised at the same time during a lighting operation or one after the other during successive lighting operations.