High resolation THz scanning for optimization of dielectric layer opening process on doped Si surfaces

Diffused IBC solar cells based on non-fire-through (NFT) metallization can achieve higher performance with respect to FT metallization, thanks to lower contact resistance. Less resistive contacts allows for lower metal fraction and thus lower contact recombination. For the application of NFT contacts, the rear side dielectric passivation layer...

Challenges for Bifacial solar cell and module measurements

ECN Solar cell I/V measurement

Cell to Module losses of an MWT module

The efficiency of photovoltaic modules is for a large part determined by the solar cell efficiency, but the electrical losses from current transport between the cells and to the module contacts, and optical losses also play an important role. In order to investigate the losses in the module the Cell to Module (CtM) ratio is often used. It is...

Black, infrared reflecting backsheets for PV: Where aesthetics meet performance

To reduce cell-to-module (CtM) losses for aesthetically appreciated all-black modules we applied a black powder coating with low infrared absorption to standard back foils used in PV modules. Upon the application of such powder coating the IR reflective properties of the underlying substrate are largely preserved. For Cu foil substrates...

High resolution sheet resistance mapping to unveil edge effects in industrial IBC solar cells

We present Terahertz (THz) transmission measurements with a spatial resolution of down to 10 ?ѭ as a new inspection technique for high-resolution sheet resistance (Rsh) measurements, that are well suited to quantify the local Rsh (n-type and p-type regions) of interdigitated back-contact (IBC) structures and to support further optimization of...

How to improve a multicrystalline silicon solar cell process with more than one percentage point resulting in an average cell efficiency of 17.2%

By replacing critical solar cell processing steps and optimizing the total process we succeeded in increasing the average cell efficiency by almost 1.5% to 17.2% with a maximum cell efficiency of 17.3%. This improvement is obtained by using industrial processes and equipment. Changes in the processing flow were: tube diffusion instead of inline...