Tandem Solar Cell Electrode Layout for Light Absorption and Carrier Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar cells have limited photoelectric conversion efficiency due to a restricted wavelength range of light absorption and differences in conversion efficiency between the front and back surfaces, necessitating improvements in light absorption rates and photoelectric conversion efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell design featuring a substrate with alternating electrode and non-electrode regions, where the electrode regions are covered by a doped conductive layer and dielectric layer, and non-electrode regions are partially covered, with distinct surface structures including pyramid and platform structures to enhance light absorption and carrier collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the front surface of the solar cell is fully covered with a doped conductive layer to improve carrier collection, then the contact area for carrier collection increases, but the light absorption rate decreases due to the conductive layer blocking incident light
Solution Approach 1:
The front surface is divided into electrode regions and non-electrode regions. The doped conductive layer is selectively formed only in the electrode regions, while the non-electrode regions remain exposed to light. This segmentation allows the solar cell to simultaneously achieve effective carrier collection in the electrode regions and high light absorption in the non-electrode regions, resolving the contradiction between carrier collection efficiency and light absorption rate.
2Productivity
If the wavelength range of light absorption is expanded to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, then the overall power generation increases, but the complexity of the solar cell structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different surface structures are applied to different regions: the electrode regions are covered with a dielectric layer having a first refractive index, while the non-electrode regions have a second surface structure with a different dielectric layer configuration having a second refractive index. This local quality differentiation optimizes light absorption in each region for different wavelength ranges, enabling expanded spectral utilization without requiring a completely complex multi-layer structure across the entire surface.
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 light absorption and photoelectric conversion efficiency by increasing the contact area for carrier collection, reducing carrier recombination, and allowing unobstructed light incidence on non-electrode regions, thereby enhancing overall solar cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first surface includes a first area aligned with the doped conductive layer... the first area has a first surface structure including a plurality of first pyramid structures... the substrate further has a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the second surface has a third surface structure including a plurality of second pyramid structures
Implementation Method 2
each of the at least one second area has a second surface structure including a plurality of platform structures... allowing unobstructed light incidence on non-electrode regions, thereby enhancing overall solar cell performance
Implementation Method 3
The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer... the first area has a first surface structure... each of the at least one second area has a second surface structure... the dielectric layer having a first refractive index... the second surface structure having a second refractive index
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a solar cell, a tandem solar cell, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a substrate, a doped conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. The substrate has a first surface, where the first surface includes electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged along a first direction. The doped conductive layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes first conductive portions and at least one second conductive portion. Each first conductive portion is formed over a respective electrode region of the electrode regions, and each respective second conductive portion is formed over a part of a non-electrode region of the non-electrode regions The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer.