Back contact silicon solar cells, valued for their aesthetic appeal by removing grid lines on the sunny side, find applications in buildings, vehicles and aircrafts, enabling self-power generation without compromising appearance 1-3.
Patterning techniques arrange contacts on the shaded side of the silicon wafer, offering benefits for light incidence as well. However, the patterning process complicates production and causes power loss. Here we employ lasers to streamline back contact solar cell fabrication and enhance power conversion efficiency.
Further advances in the field of solar cell research are anticipated with the discovery of novel materials, ease of fabrication, device designs, and a deeper understanding of the physics underlying the performance characteristics of solar cells. There are no conflicts to declare.
Solar cells that combine traditional silicon with cutting-edge perovskites could push the efficiency of solar panels to new heights. Beyond Silicon, Caelux, First Solar, Hanwha Q Cells, Oxford PV, Swift Solar, Tandem PV 3 to 5 years In November 2023, a buzzy solar technology broke yet another world record for efficiency.
Here we employ lasers to streamline back contact solar cell fabrication and enhance power conversion efficiency. Our approach produces the first silicon solar cell to exceed 27% efficiency. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon layers are deposited on the wafer for surface passivation and collection of light-generated carriers.
First published on 26th June 2023 Solar cells have provided a solution to the prevailing energy crisis and environmental contamination in the ongoing energy-driven era because of their potential to utilize solar energy.