Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cell With Junction-Layer Recombination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tandem solar cells face limitations in light conversion efficiency due to carrier recombination and high saturation current density, especially when combining perovskite and crystalline silicon solar cells, with existing technologies struggling to improve open-circuit voltage and surface passivation.

Innovation Solution

A tandem solar cell design incorporating a perovskite solar cell with a perovskite absorption layer and a crystalline silicon solar cell, featuring a junction layer and tunnel layers with hydrogen passivation to enhance carrier collection and surface passivation, allowing selective collection of electrons or holes and reducing recombination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a perovskite solar cell is stacked on a crystalline silicon solar cell to form a tandem structure, then light absorption in a wider spectrum is achieved, but carrier recombination increases due to impurities in the crystalline silicon solar cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight absorption spectrumVSAvoidcarrier recombination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A junction layer is introduced between the perovskite solar cell and the crystalline silicon solar cell to act as an intermediary component. This junction layer selectively collects carriers (electrons or holes) and prevents their recombination, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving wide-spectrum light absorption and minimizing carrier recombination losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tandem solar cell is divided into functionally distinct layers: the perovskite solar cell for short-wavelength light absorption, the junction layer for selective carrier collection, and the crystalline silicon solar cell for long-wavelength light absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, preventing carrier recombination while maintaining wide-spectrum absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a HIT cell structure with heterojunction of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon is used as the lower cell, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the cell becomes weak to high temperature and the manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the manufacturing parameters of the crystalline silicon solar cell by forming a tunnel layer and adjusting doping concentrations to achieve the desired electrical characteristics. This allows for high-temperature processing and simplified manufacturing while maintaining the benefits of the tandem structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If impurities are formed to create an emitter and back surface field in the crystalline silicon solar cell, then carrier collection is enhanced, but saturation current density increases leading to reduced light conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier collection efficiencyVSAvoidlight conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The junction layer serves as an intermediary that selectively collects carriers before they can recombine, allowing the crystalline silicon solar cell to maintain its carrier collection enhancement from impurities while preventing the associated increase in saturation current density from reducing overall light conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 open-circuit voltage, surface passivation, and light conversion efficiency by stabilizing defects and reducing carrier recombination, enabling a wider absorption of sunlight wavelengths.

Implementation Method 1

the tunnel layer is disposed between either the first conductive type semiconductor layer or the second conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on the crystalline silicon substrate and the crystalline silicon substrate so that carriers generated in the first conductive type semiconductor layer or the second conductive type semiconductor layer are moved to the crystalline silicon substrate by a tunnel effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTunnel effect:

Implementation Method 2

the first conductive type semiconductor layer or the second conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on a front surface of the crystalline silicon substrate is hydrogen passivated to prevent recombination of earners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen passivation:

Implementation Method 3

a perovskite solar cell having a perovskite absorption layer... can absorb light in a short wavelength region and convert the light into electric energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11830958B2Tandem solar cell

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 TRINA SOLAR CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tandem solar cell which comprises: a perovskite solar cell comprising a perovskite absorption layer; a silicon solar cell placed under the perovskite solar cell; a junction layer placed between the perovskite solar cell and the silicon solar cell; an upper electrode placed on the perovskite solar cell; and a lower electrode placed under the silicon solar cell.