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ECE552 Lec09 PV-Cell Fundmntls DV 2022

This document discusses fundamentals of solar cells. It begins by describing the solar spectrum and air mass measurements. It then covers photon interaction with materials including photon absorption and electron-hole pair generation. It discusses energy bands in semiconductors and bandgap effects on efficiency. It also describes N-type and P-type semiconductors and the formation of PN junctions. Key aspects of PN junction solar cells are explained including the built-in electric field and I-V characteristics. Methods to improve cell efficiency such as back surface fields and textured surfaces are summarized.

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Álvaro Rebollo Montesino-Espartero
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44 views45 pages

ECE552 Lec09 PV-Cell Fundmntls DV 2022

This document discusses fundamentals of solar cells. It begins by describing the solar spectrum and air mass measurements. It then covers photon interaction with materials including photon absorption and electron-hole pair generation. It discusses energy bands in semiconductors and bandgap effects on efficiency. It also describes N-type and P-type semiconductors and the formation of PN junctions. Key aspects of PN junction solar cells are explained including the built-in electric field and I-V characteristics. Methods to improve cell efficiency such as back surface fields and textured surfaces are summarized.

Uploaded by

Álvaro Rebollo Montesino-Espartero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solar Cell Fundamentals

ECE452/552: Electric Power Generation

Daryoosh Vashaee, North Carolina State University


Solar Spectrum
Solar Spectrum
Solar Spectrum
Solar Spectrum
Air Mass
A measure of air path that the sun light takes before
reaching the earth surface.

1 Atmosphere
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 =
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶(𝜃𝜃) ɵ

Earth surface
AM0: Just above atmosphere (space applications)
AM1: Sun directly overhead
AM1.5: Conventional (ɵ~48o)
Photon Interaction with Materials
Photon Interaction with Materials

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoelectric_effect
Photon Absorption:
Electron Hole Pair (EHP) generation
Photon Absorption:
Electron Hole Pair (EHP) generation
Photon Absorption (Beer Lamber’s law)
Energy Bands – Metal vs Semiconductor
Energy Bands – Metal vs Semiconductor
Thermal generation, Optical generation,
Recombination

x
Semiconductor Devices THIRD EDITION, S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee
Thermal generation, Optical generation,
Recombination

x
Semiconductor Devices THIRD EDITION, S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee
Photon absorption:
Electron hole pair generation
Energy

Direct Indirect
Momentum
bandgap bandgap
Photon absorption:
Electron hole pair generation

Photon
Energy

Direct Indirect
Momentum
bandgap bandgap
Photon absorption:
Electron hole pair generation

??
Photon Photon
Energy

Direct Indirect
Momentum
bandgap bandgap
Photon absorption:
Electron hole pair generation
Phonon assisted
transition

Photon Photon
Energy

Direct Indirect
Momentum
bandgap bandgap
Photon absorption:
Electron hole pair generation
Phonon assisted
transition

Photon Photon
Energy

Direct Indirect
Momentum
bandgap bandgap
Bandgap in semiconductors

Ec

Ev

Semiconductor Devices THIRD EDITION, S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee


Photon Absorption
Bandgap Effect on Efficiency

Energy waste
Energy
waste
Photon
Max Efficiency vs Bandgap Energy
N type Semiconductor
P type Semiconductor
Formation of PN Junction

http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/pn-junction/formation-pn-junction
Formation of PN Junction

E filed

http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/pn-junction/formation-pn-junction
PN Junction

Forward Bias

Reverse Bias

Semiconductor Devices 3rd ed., S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee


PN Junction Solar Cells

How do we prevent the e-h recombination?


PN Junction Solar Cells

The built-in
electric field
separates the
EHP and
prevents their
recombination!
Total current density versus voltage

Ideal Diode Law:

I0 = “dark saturation current”;


the diode leakage current
density in the absence of light;

Note that:
•I0 increases as T increases
•I0 increases as material quality decreases
Semiconductor Devices 3rd ed., S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee
Typical Solar
Cell I-V Plot

Semiconductor Devices 3rd ed., S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee


Fill Factor

𝐼𝐼𝑚𝑚𝑉𝑉𝑚𝑚
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 =
𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜

Typical FF values: 80%-90%

Semiconductor Devices 3rd ed., S. M. Sze and M. K. Lee


Top Photon
electrical
contact

- R

E Field
+

R’

Bottom electrical contact


Simple Equivalent Circuit for a PV cell:

1. Current source driven by sunlight


2. Parallel with a real diode
3. Series with a resistance
The Effect of Series Resistance on Fill Factor

The series resistance


depends on:

1. Junction depth,
2. Impurity concentrations of
p-type and n-type regions
3. Arrangement of the front-
surface ohmic contacts

Physics of. Semiconductor Devices. Third Edition. S. M. Sze


Silicon p-n Junction Solar Cells

Physics of. Semiconductor Devices. Third Edition. S. M. Sze


p-n Junction Solar Cells

How can we increase the cell efficiency?


Energy-band diagram for an n+-p-p+ back-surface field
junction solar cell:

• Confines minority electrons


• Improve output voltage and current
Physics of. Semiconductor Devices. Third Edition. S. M. Sze
Textured Cell with Pyramidal Surfaces

Pyramidal surfaces produced by Optical path showing the trapping of


light to reduce reflection
anisotropic etching of <100>-oriented Si
surface

Physics of. Semiconductor Devices. Third Edition. S. M. Sze


A Typical Si Solar Cell Device
High quality oxide reduces the surface
recombination.
Efficiency~25%

Electroplated finger (width<20μm)

http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/manufacturing/high-efficiency
Thinner Films Need Light Trapping

Θc=24.4o

The front structure combined with rear


surface mirror may trap the surface light
Ref: http://www.rasirc.com/resources/whitepapers/whitepaper_solarMC.pdf
in the substrate for many passes.
Different Types of Silicon Solar Panels

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