Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells

Rebecca Saive; Colton R. Bukowsky; Sisir Yalamanchili; Mathieu Boccard; Theresa Saenz; Aleca M. Borsuk; Zachary Holman; Harry A. Atwater

doi:10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346

Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells

Rebecca Saive, Colton R. Bukowsky, Sisir Yalamanchili, Mathieu Boccard, Theresa Saenz, Aleca M. Borsuk, Zachary Holman, Harry A. Atwater

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have developed effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) that allow for increased current in heterojunction solar cells. Micro-meter scaled triangular cross-section grid fingers with micro-meter scaled distance redirect light efficiently to the active area of the solar cell and hence, omit losses through reflection at the front finger grid. Furthermore, the grid fingers are placed close together such that only a very thin layer of transparent conductive oxides (TCO) is necessary which avoids parasitic absorption and can decrease material costs. In this paper we experimentally show current enhancement of ∼2 mA/cm² in silicon heterojunction solar cells using ETCs. 1 mA/cm² is gained through less parasitic absorption and 1 mA/cm² is gained by efficient redirection of light and therefore, absent shadowing losses.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	3612-3615
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	9781509027248
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346
State	Published - Nov 18 2016
Event	43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016 - Portland, United States Duration: Jun 5 2016 → Jun 10 2016

Publication series

Name	Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Volume	2016-November
ISSN (Print)	0160-8371

Other

Other	43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016
Country/Territory	United States
City	Portland
Period	6/5/16 → 6/10/16

Keywords

Effectively Transparent Contacts
Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Three-Dimensional Printing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Control and Systems Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Access to Document

10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346

Cite this

Saive, R., Bukowsky, C. R., Yalamanchili, S., Boccard, M., Saenz, T., Borsuk, A. M., Holman, Z., & Atwater, H. A. (2016). Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells. In 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016 (pp. 3612-3615). Article 7750346 (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; Vol. 2016-November). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346

Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells. / Saive, Rebecca; Bukowsky, Colton R.; Yalamanchili, Sisir et al.
2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2016. p. 3612-3615 7750346 (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; Vol. 2016-November).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Saive, R, Bukowsky, CR, Yalamanchili, S, Boccard, M, Saenz, T, Borsuk, AM, Holman, Z & Atwater, HA 2016, Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells. in 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016., 7750346, Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, vol. 2016-November, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 3612-3615, 43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016, Portland, United States, 6/5/16. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346

Saive R, Bukowsky CR, Yalamanchili S, Boccard M, Saenz T, Borsuk AM et al. Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells. In 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2016. p. 3612-3615. 7750346. (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference). doi: 10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750346

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abstract = "We have developed effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) that allow for increased current in heterojunction solar cells. Micro-meter scaled triangular cross-section grid fingers with micro-meter scaled distance redirect light efficiently to the active area of the solar cell and hence, omit losses through reflection at the front finger grid. Furthermore, the grid fingers are placed close together such that only a very thin layer of transparent conductive oxides (TCO) is necessary which avoids parasitic absorption and can decrease material costs. In this paper we experimentally show current enhancement of ∼2 mA/cm2 in silicon heterojunction solar cells using ETCs. 1 mA/cm2 is gained through less parasitic absorption and 1 mA/cm2 is gained by efficient redirection of light and therefore, absent shadowing losses.",

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Effectively transparent contacts (ETCs) for solar cells

Abstract

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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