Journal Article

FZJ-2021-01816

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A silicon carbide-based highly transparent passivating contact for crystalline silicon solar cells approaching efficiencies of 24%

Köhler, M. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Pomaska, M.FZJ* ; Procel, P. ; Santbergen, R. ; Zamchiy, A. ; Macco, B. ; Lambertz, A.FZJ* ; Duan, W.FZJ* ; Cao, P.FZJ* ; Klingebiel, B.FZJ* ; Li, S.FZJ* ; Eberst, A.FZJ* ; Luysberg, M.FZJ* ; Qiu, K.FZJ* ; Isabella, O. ; Finger, F.FZJ* ; Kirchartz, T.FZJ* ; Rau, U. ; Ding, K.FZJ*

2021
Nature Publishing Group London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27885  doi:10.1038/s41560-021-00806-9

Abstract: A highly transparent passivating contact (TPC) as front contact for crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells could in principle combine high conductivity, excellent surface passivation and high optical transparency. However, the simultaneous optimization of these features remains challenging. Here, we present a TPC consisting of a silicon-oxide tunnel layer followed by two layers of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon carbide (nc-SiC:H(n)) deposited at different temperatures and a sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) layer (c-Si(n)/SiO2/nc-SiC:H(n)/ITO). While the wide band gap of nc-SiC:H(n) ensures high optical transparency, the double layer design enables good passivation and high conductivity translating into an improved short-circuit current density (40.87 mA cm−2), fill factor (80.9%) and efficiency of 23.99 ± 0.29% (certified). Additionally, this contact avoids the need for additional hydrogenation or high-temperature postdeposition annealing steps. We investigate the passivation mechanism and working principle of the TPC and provide a loss analysis based on numerical simulations outlining pathways towards conversion efficiencies of 26%.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Physik Nanoskaliger Systeme (ER-C-1)
2. Photovoltaik (IEK-5)

Research Program(s):

1. 535 - Materials Information Discovery (POF4-535) (POF4-535)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 40 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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