Status and future perspective of a-Si:H, a-SiGe:H, and nc-Si:H thin film photovoltaic technology

Jeffrey Yang; Subhendu Guha

doi:10.1117/12.827419

20 August 2009 Status and future perspective of a-Si:H, a-SiGe:H, and nc-Si:H thin film photovoltaic technology

Jeffrey Yang, Subhendu Guha

Proceedings Volume 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology; 74090C (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827419
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

United Solar Ovonic is world's largest manufacturer of thin film solar laminates that convert sunlight to electricity. In 1997, we attained initial 14.6% and stable 13.0% cell efficiencies using an a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H/a-SiGe:H triple-junction structure, which established the foundation of large volume roll-to-roll production. Since then, the power rating of our standard product has been steadily improving from 128 W to 136 W and 144 W. For future generation high efficiency products, we have investigated the possibility of using nc-Si:H to replace the narrow bandgap a-SiGe:H intrinsic layer in the middle and bottom cells of the triple-junction structure. We have investigated various deposition techniques for improving the nc-Si:H material property, solar cell efficiency, and deposition rate. The triple-junction solar cell efficiency incorporating nc-Si:H in the middle and bottom cells has exceeded the record efficiency previously achieved using the conventional a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H/a-SiGe:H triple-junction structure. However, in order to insert the nc- Si:H technology into large volume production, several important issues need to be addressed and resolved. We are currently focusing on these key technical challenges, including high efficiency, high rate nc-Si:H deposition, and large-area nc-Si:H uniformity. In this paper, we review recent advances in a-Si:H and nc-Si:H based multi-junction solar cells and modules.

Citation Download Citation

Jeffrey Yang and Subhendu Guha "Status and future perspective of a-Si:H, a-SiGe:H, and nc-Si:H thin film photovoltaic technology", Proc. SPIE 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology, 74090C (20 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827419

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available