Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

This book focuses on crystalline silicon solar cell science and technology. It is written from the perspective of an experimentalist with extensive hands-on experience in modeling, fabrication, and characterization. A practical approach to solar cell fabrication is presented in terms of its three components: materials, electrical, and optical. The materials section describes wafer processing methods including saw damage removal, texturing, diffusion, and surface passivation. The electrical section focuses on formation of ohmic contacts on n and p-doped surfaces. The optical section illustrates light interaction with textured silicon surfaces in terms of geometrical, diffractive and physical optics, transmission, and surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy. A final chapter analyzes performance of solar cells, fabricated with a wide range of process parameters. A brief economic analysis on the merits of crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic technology as a cottage industry is also included.This professional reference will be an important resource for practicing engineers and technicians working with solar cell and PV manufacturing and renewable energy technologies, as well as upper-level engineering and material science students.Presents a practical approach to solar cell fabrication, and characterization;Offers modular methodology with detailed equipment and process parameters supported by experimental results;Includes processing diagrams and tables for 16% efficient solar cell fabrication.

Presents a practical approach to solar cell fabrication, and characterization Offers modular methodology with detailed equipment and process parameters supported by experimental results Includes processing diagrams and tables for 16% efficient solar cell fabrication

Autorentext

Saleem Hussain Zaidi, PhD, has an unusual background. His early professional work was on laser lithography and synthesis of micro/nanostructures in silicon. Much of his work was patented and some of it licensed. His enduring interest in photovoltaics led him to start his own company, Gratings, Inc., to explore the role of nanostructures in solar cells. Gratings work on solar cells was funded by Sandia National Laboratories, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and BP Solar. With external and personal funding, Gratings established solar cell (5"x5") and panel (150 WP) fabrication and characterization facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gratings helped establish solar cell and panel fabrication facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Since, 2011, Dr. Zaidi has also worked as a research professor with the Solar Energy Research Institute located at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Dr. Zaidi has published extensively, and has developed significant IP as well as propriety knowledge relating to photovoltaics. He received his PhD from the University of New Mexico.

Inhalt
Unorthodox View of Solar Cell.- Materials Processing.- Formation of Electrical Contacts.- Optical Interactions in Solar Cells.- Solar Cell Characterization.- Summary and Analysis.