Progress in Photovoltaics最新文献

Wang, Q, Guo, K, Gu, S, Huang, W, Wu, W, and Ding, J. Investigation on Effects of the Laser-Enhanced Contact Optimization Process With Ag Paste in a Boron Emitter for n-TOPCon Solar Cell. Progress in Photovoltaics. 2025; 33: 294–308.

In Section 3.3 “I–V Parameters,” the text “a 0.28 mA/cm² increase in J_sc” was incorrect. This should have read: “a 0.08 mA/cm² increase in J_sc.”

In Paragraph 2 of the “Conclusion” section, the text “a 0.28 mA/cm² increase in J_sc” was incorrect. This should have read: “a 0.08 mA/cm² increase in J_sc”.

We found that the data of the article are inconsistent with Table 2; the data in the table are correct; an error occurred while writing.

We apologize for this error.

Previous studies have shown that soiling losses on photovoltaic (PV) modules can lead to reduced power output of up to 80% in PV systems. Therefore, accurate determination of soiling loss plays a crucial role in predicting PV output and ensuring optimized cleaning schedules. The study focused on measuring soiling loss at a 1.1 MW outdoor testing facility in Louisiana, United States, using a DustIQ device, a commercially available soiling sensor. The maximum soiling loss recorded for DustIQ Sensor 1 was 7.5% on August 27, 2023, during the dry season. The measured data was fitted using the well-established Kimber and HSU models (based on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) by optimizing the least squares error, resulting in observed mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of approximately 0.82% and 0.78%, respectively. One feature of these models is that it is assumed that the solar panels will be completely cleaned after a rain event that reaches a set threshold limit. However, in-field testing at the site shows that assumption to be flawed, because the soiling ratio did not return to 1 or 100% even after significant rainfall events. To address this, improved versions of the Kimber and HSU models were developed to more accurately represent the recovery of the soiling ratio after rainfall events. The results demonstrated significant improvements, with the modified Kimber models achieving reductions in root mean squared error (RMSE) of 23%, 13%, and 1% compared to the optimized Kimber model, while the modified HSU model exhibited a 12% reduction in RMSE over the optimized HSU model. The overall MAPE was less than 1% for all models.

Encapsulation is a critical topic to ensure the successful implementation of perovskite photovoltaics. Recently, vacuum lamination has been shown as a promising approach that combines compatibility with current industrial processes in conventional photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing and suitability to achieve good results with perovskites. Here, we explore some of the attractive encapsulation materials in terms of their ability to prevent moisture ingress, withstand elevated temperatures, and have suitable mechanical properties to avoid thermomechanical issues. We utilized the previously suggested concept of the “perovskite test,” an optical test with simple sample fabrication, for evaluating encapsulation quality and validated the findings with the full solar cell stack. Unsurprisingly, encapsulants without an edge sealant showed insufficient protection from moisture. Ionomer in combination with butyl edge seal showed the best barrier properties; however, this stack led to rapid delamination of the cell layers in thermal cycling tests. Configuration with only edge sealant does not have such an issue in principle (no mechanical stress applied), but an absence of the polymer in the stack is unfavorable in terms of optical design and sometimes showed perovskite degradation that we assign to trapped moisture in the butyl itself. Polyolefin with butyl edge sealant is not free of degradation but showed the most promising compromise by passing the damp heat test and showing fewer issues in the thermal cycling experiments. In general, our material study and optimization presented in this manuscript show that a holistic approach is needed when choosing an optimal encapsulation scheme for perovskite devices.

Lightweight photovoltaic applications are essential for diversifying the solar energy supply. This opens up vast new scenarios for solar modules and significantly boosts the capacity of renewable energy. To ensure high efficiency and stability of the solar modules, several challenges need to be overcome. Degradation due to elevated temperature and/or humidity is a critical concern for silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar modules. Here, we investigated the stability and degradation mechanism of encapsulated cells with lightweight configurations where the cells are based on three different types of transparent-conductive oxide (TCO): indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), and a combination of ITO/AZO/ITO under humid and thermal environmental conditions. A damp heat (DH) test at a temperature of 85°C and relative humidity (RH) of 85% was performed on lightweight modules for 1000 h. Our results show that AZO is the most susceptible to DH degradation. The AZO film was damaged by the combined effects of moisture ingress and delamination of the interconnection foil, resulting in a decrease in the conductivity of the AZO film, leading to a dramatic increase in R_s and a decrease in FF of the modules. Consequently, moisture has a greater chance of percolating through the damaged AZO layer into the a-Si:H passivation layer, causing passivation degradation, which leads to an increase in recombination, resulting in a decrease in V_oc of the modules. In particular, after capping the AZO film with an ITO film, the efficiency loss of the ITO/AZO/ITO module was significantly reduced. This suggests that the ITO film could be a promising protective capping layer for the AZO-based solar cells.