Tandem Solar Cell With Patterned Electrode for Light Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem solar cells face challenges with light reflectance and absorption efficiency due to the difficulty in uniformly depositing the perovskite solar cell on textured crystalline silicon substrates, leading to increased reflectance and reduced optical path length for longer wavelengths, which limits the overall photovoltaic efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A tandem solar cell structure with a patterned transparent electrode on the front surface and selective texturing on the rear surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, along with a tunnel-junctioned perovskite/crystalline silicon configuration, to refract incident light and increase the optical path length, enhancing light absorption in both the perovskite and crystalline silicon layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a textured crystalline silicon substrate is used to increase light absorption, then the optical path length is increased, but the perovskite solar cell cannot be uniformly deposited leading to increased reflectance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight absorption efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of perovskite deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate surface is divided into textured regions (for light trapping) and planar regions (for uniform perovskite deposition). This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function: the textured areas increase optical path length while the planar areas enable uniform material deposition, resolving the contradiction between light absorption and deposition uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different surface properties are applied to different locations: the rear surface maintains texture for light reflection and increased optical path, while the front surface has planar regions where perovskite will be deposited. This local differentiation of surface quality allows simultaneous optimization of both light absorption and deposition uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the front surface is made planar to enable uniform perovskite deposition, then deposition uniformity is improved, but light reflectance increases and optical path length decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of perovskite depositionVSAvoidlight reflectance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into front and rear surfaces with different characteristics. The front surface is planarized for uniform perovskite deposition, while the rear surface retains its textured structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both uniform deposition and reduced reflectance through the rear surface texture that increases optical path length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light trapping function is moved from the front surface (2D plane) to the rear surface (another dimension). By placing the textured structure on the rear surface, the system maintains uniform front surface for deposition while still achieving light trapping through the rear surface texture that reflects and extends the optical path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a tunnel junction is implemented to connect perovskite and crystalline silicon cells, then electrical connection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection efficiencyVSAvoidjunction structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tunnel junction structure merges the electrical connection function with the existing interface between perovskite and crystalline silicon layers. Rather than adding a separate complex connection mechanism, the tunnel junction is integrated into the layer structure itself, providing efficient electrical connection while minimizing additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces light reflectance, increases the optical path length, and improves the light absorption rate in both solar cells, thereby enhancing the overall photovoltaic efficiency and power generation of the tandem solar cell.

Implementation Method 1

A tandem solar cell structure with a patterned transparent electrode on the front surface and selective texturing on the rear surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, along with a tunnel-junctioned perovskite/crystalline silicon configuration, to refract incident light and increase the optical path length, enhancing light absorption in both the perovskite and crystalline silicon layers.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

enhancing light absorption in both the perovskite and crystalline silicon layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

tandem solar cell comprising a perovskite solar cell laminated on a front surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3270432B1Tandem solar cell and tandem solar cell module comprising the same
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3270432B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3270432B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3270432B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a tandem solar cell, a tandem solar cell module comprising the tandem solar cell, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a monolithic tandem solar cell comprising a perovskite solar cell laminated on a front surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell, and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present disclosure, a nano-electrode structure can be patterned on a front surface of a front transparent electrode of a solar cell in which a crystalline silicon solar cell and a perovskite solar cell are bonded via a junction layer, such that the optical path of the sunlight incident on the solar cell through the nano-electrode structure can be increased to improve the utilization rate of the light.