Journal article
Optical modeling and characterization of bifacial SiNx/AlOx dielectric layers for surface passivation and antireflection in PERC
- Abstract:
- In this research, we analyzed the impact that the optical characteristics of dielectric surface passivation and antireflection coating schemes have on the performance of passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) silicon solar cells. We employed wafer ray tracer (WRT) and automate for simulation of heterostructure (AFORS-HET) simulations, as well as experimental characterization of fabricated thin film coatings. We investigated three distinct front surface morphologies: planar surface, upright pyramids, and inverted pyramids. Using WRT, we calculated the photogeneration current densities (JG) for PERC devices with three schemes: (i) SiNx/AlOx as antireflection coating and passivation stacks on both the front and rear sides, (ii) SiNx antireflection coating on the front side and AlOx passivation layer on the rear side, and (iii) SiNx/AlOx as antireflection coating and passivation stacks on the front side with an AlOx passivation layer on the rear side. Following simulation with optimal JG, two schemes are experimentally evaluated: PECVD SiNx (70 nm) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) AlOx (15 and 25 nm). We confirmed the growth effects and optical properties using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, effective lifetime, and refractive index measurements. The most favorable electrical properties were obtained with SiNx (70 nm, front) and AlOx (25 nm, front and rear), where the AlOx can be deposited via ALD bifacially on a single step, minimizing processing while maintaining passivation performance. Finally, we used AFORS-HET to simulate the maximum performance of PERC bearing such films. The results showed a Voc = 0.688 V, Jsc = 41.42 mA/cm2, FF = 84%, and packing conversion efficiency (PCE) = 24.12% as the optimal solar cell performance values.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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- Files:
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(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 5.6MB, Terms of use)
-
- Publisher copy:
- 10.1002/pip.3745
Authors
+ Royal Academy of Engineering
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/0526snb40
- Grant:
- RF\201819\18\38
+ Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/05b0cyh02
- Grant:
- PNURSP2023R111
+ British Council
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/00t3pr326
- Grant:
- 006327/D/ISB/008/2021
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Journal:
- Progress in Photovoltaics More from this journal
- Volume:
- 32
- Issue:
- 2
- Pages:
- 63-72
- Publication date:
- 2023-10-02
- Acceptance date:
- 2023-09-18
- DOI:
- EISSN:
-
1099-159X
- ISSN:
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1062-7995
- Language:
-
English
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
-
1533181
- Local pid:
-
pubs:1533181
- Deposit date:
-
2023-09-22
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
- Copyright date:
- 2023
- Rights statement:
- © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Notes:
- This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from Wiley at https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pip.3745
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