Solar RRL最新文献

Passivated contact crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells with nickel oxide (NiO_x) as a hole transport layer (HTL) are a promising and efficient solar cell that has received much attention. However, the current low open circuit voltage (V_oc) and low stability of c-Si solar cells with NiO_x as the HTL are due to the bad passivation and the ion diffusion, which has limited the development of NiO_x-based c-Si solar cells. Herein, the performance of doping-free asymmetric passivated contact c-Si heterojunction solar cells is improved by using hydrogen-doped aluminum oxide (HAl₂O₃) as the passivation layer and annealing in forming gas (nitrogen, hydrogen mixture FGA), as well as by introducing an economically saving composite Ni/Ag electrode. Finally, a 20.29% power conversion efficiency is achieved from p-Si/HAl₂O₃(FGA)/NiO_x/Ni/Ag back-contact c-Si solar cells, which is the highest efficiency reported so far for c-Si solar cells with NiO_x as the HTLs. Furthermore, the efficiency of the p-Si/HAl₂O₃(FGA)/NiO_x/Ni/Ag remains above 20% after 30 days of storage in an atmospheric environment, demonstrating its long-term stability. This study demonstrates the potential for industrialization of NiO_x-based HTL c-Si solar cells with high performance and high stability.

This article presents the performance analysis of a new dynamic and vertically oriented building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) shading device. The work forms part of a Swiss Pilot and Demonstration project. From technology readiness levels 5–7, it aims to validate the technology's consistency and replicability in the operational building and cost-effectiveness for marketability. The shading slats comprise two-string PV modules realized with laminated glazing layered by an outer white satin glass pane. For the small-scale mock-up, two designs are compared to quantify the effectiveness of temperature reduction and energy gain: 1) optimized—each string is connected to a bypass diode, and 2) standard—two strings are connected to a bypass diode. It is demonstrated that optimized slats have consistently lower module temperatures and higher energy yield, achieving more than 20% gain during spring and summer. There are no additional risks for consideration since no extreme temperature and humidity measurements are observed for the pilot installation at the actual building. The first floor's system produces a lower specific energy yield due to partial shading. Still, it can be worsened if the standard PV is used instead, highlighting the importance of a BIPV-specific consultancy for successfully implementing BIPV systems.

Dual-Junction Solar Cells

The satellite solar panels have innovative light-trapping nanostructures in III–V-based multijunction solar cells to enhance solar conversion efficiency. These advanced nanostructures optimize the absorption of sunlight, allowing the solar panels to generate more power for space applications. This cutting-edge technology plays a crucial role in boosting the overall performance and longevity of the space solar panels, ensuring their functionality in the demanding conditions of outer space. More in article number 2400531, Edward T. Yu and co-workers.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their high performance and cost-effective fabrication processes. However, the presence of defects in the bulk and interfaces of perovskite materials can significantly impact the photovoltaic performance and stability of these devices. One approach to addressing these defects is through the use of pyridine-based organic molecules. Pyridine functional molecules have shown promise in controlling the crystallization process of perovskite films, passivating defects, and enhancing charge carrier transport. These molecules can act as solvents, passivators, and charge transport layers in PSCs, contributing to improved device efficiency and stability. In this review, the use of pyridine-based organic molecules in PSCs is summarized, highlighting their roles and applications in different aspects of device performance. The interaction mechanisms of various pyridine functional molecules with perovskite materials are discussed, shedding light on the underlying principles governing their effectiveness in enhancing device performance. The challenges and opportunities in the utilization of pyridine functional molecules in PSCs are summarized. In addition, future potential strategies for designing pyridine functional multidentate ligands are promising, emphasizing the importance of understanding the interaction mechanisms and harnessing the unique properties of pyridine-based organic molecules for improved device performance and stability.

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPV) exhibit tremendous potential for application in integrated photovoltaic architecture. The reduction of the ratio of wide-bandgap donors in the active layer is crucial for enhancing both the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the average visible light transmittance (AVT), which are key performance indicators for ST-OPV. Herein, successful suppression of the thickness-dependent transition from H-aggregates to J-aggregates in PM6 films was achieved through temperature control, significantly improving charge transport and extraction efficiency, thereby markedly enhancing the PCE of sequential processed pseudo p-i-n devices employing the Y6 acceptor. With ≈30% AVT maintained, the PCE increases from 6.50% to 11.10%, while the light utilization efficiency rises from 1.98% to 3.40%. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on optical coupling structure design, this research underscores the precise control of molecular aggregation behavior in the active layer material, demonstrating the innovativeness of material and structural design and offering new avenues and methodologies for the development of future semitransparent photovoltaic materials.

The design of a Cd-free and wider-bandgap buffer layer is stringent for future Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe) thin-film solar cell applications. For that, an In₂S₃ buffer layer alloyed with a limited amount of O (well below 25 mol%) has been proposed as a pertinent alternative solution to CdS or Zn(O,S) buffers. However, the chemical stability of the In₂S₃/CIGSe heterointerface when O is added is not completely clear. Therefore, in this work, the buffer/absorber interface for a series of sputter-deposited In₂S₃ buffers with and without O is investigated. It is found that the solar cell with the highest open-circuit voltage is obtained for the O-free In₂S₃ buffer sputtered at 220 °C. This improved open-circuit voltage could be explained by the presence of a 20 nm-thick ordered vacancy compound (OVC) at the absorber surface. A much thinner OVC layer (5 nm) or even the absence of this layer is found for the cell with In₂(O_0.25S_0.75)₃ buffer layer where O is inserted. The volume fraction of the OVC layer is directly linked with the magnitude of Cu diffusion from the CIGSe surface into the In₂(O_xS_1−x)₃ buffer layer. The O addition strongly reduces the Cu diffusion inside the buffer layer up to complete suppression for very high O contents in the buffer. Finally, it is discussed that the presence of the OVC layer may lower the valence band maximum, thereby forming a hole barrier, suppressing charge carrier recombination at the In₂(O_xS_1−x)₃/CIGSe interface, which could result in an increased open-circuit voltage.

The advancement of photovoltaic (PV) technology is critical for sustainable energy production, with silicon-based solar cells being the most prevalent due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In recent years, the use of materials to change the color of conventional silicon-based PV cells, materials that can be laminated or not during the construction of the PV module, has become widespread. Colored PV cells offer aesthetic versatility, making them suitable for integrated architectural applications. However, these materials affect the performance of the final product. This study focuses on developing a predictive model for the performance of colored silicon PV cells. A comprehensive approach combining experimental data and computational simulations is employed to understand the impact of various colors on the electrical performance of colored PV modules, based on the optical properties of the colored layers. The model demonstrates high accuracy across a range of coloring technologies, including selective absorbers, diffusive layers, and fluorescent materials. The developed model accurately predicts the performance metrics of colored PV cells, providing valuable insights for optimizing design and material selection.

Enhancing carrier selectivity and minimizing surface recombination are crucial factors for improving the efficiency of passivating contact crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. This study introduces a two-step hydrogenation method, using atomic layer deposition of Al₂O₃ and forming gas annealing (FGA), in order to optimize the passivating contact stack. This approach not only improves the passivation quality but also reduces the contact resistance in the presence of a MoO_x transport layer. However, excess hydrogen in Al₂O₃ could potentially diffuse into MoO_x, reducing its work function and diminishing the field-effect passivation. By fine-tuning the FGA parameters, including temperature and duration, a conversion efficiency of 21.33% is achieved on p-type silicon. These results demonstrate a novel optimization strategy for passivation tunneling layers, with the potential to improve the performance of c-Si and other types of solar cells.

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) and lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have emerged as highly promising materials for high-efficiency photovoltaics. PbS QDs offer size-dependent bandgaps in the infrared region and the potential for multiple exciton generation, while LHPs feature tunable bandgaps, high absorption coefficients, and long carrier diffusion lengths in the visible spectrum. This review focuses on two primary approaches to breaking the Shockley–Queisser (S–Q) limit based on the combinations of these two semiconducting materials: 1) monolithic 2-terminal tandem photovoltaics with complementary spectral absorption; and 2) intermediate-band solar cells (IBSCs) leveraging PbS QDs within a LHP matrix. Due to the ideally complementary spectrum of PbS and LHPs, emphasis is placed on the prevailing strategies for enhancing efficiency, addressing the major challenges in rational materials designs and device optimizations. Then, key obstacles including surface passivation, solvent compatibility, and the limited performance of small-bandgap PbS QD solar cells are analyzed, along with various potential solutions for tandem cells. For IBSCs, the evolution of materials and device architecture and the unique advantages of their combination are outlined in detail. Finally, this review provides a comprehensive outlook on future research directions to develop efficient tandem and IBSC devices for breaking the S–Q limit.

Predicting the amount of soiling accumulated on the collectors is a key factor when optimizing the trade-off between reducing soiling losses and cleaning costs. An important influence on soiling losses is natural cleaning through rain. Several soiling models assume complete cleaning through rain for daily rain sums above a model specific threshold and no cleaning otherwise. However, various studies show that cleaning is often incomplete. This study employs two statistical learning methods to model the cleaning effect of rain, aiming to achieve more accurate results than a simple totally cleaned/no cleaning answer while also considering other parameters besides the rain sum. The models are tested using meteorological and soiling data from 33 measurement stations in West Africa. Linear regression seems to be a good alternative for predicting the reduction in soiling levels after a rainfall.