• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.8-12
• /
• 2023

In this work, we investigated the thickness of Ag precursor layer to improve the performance of flexible CIGSe solar cells grown on stainless steel (STS) substrates through three-stage co-evaporation with Ga grading followed by alkali treatments. The small amount of incorporated Ag in CIGSe films showed enhancement in the grain size and device efficiency. With an optimal 6 nm-thick Ag layer, the best cell on the STS substrate yielded more than 16%, which is comparable to the soda-lime glass (SLG) substrate. Thus, the addition of controlled Ag combined with alkali post-deposition treatment (PDT) led to increased open-circuit voltage (VOC), accompanied by the increased built-in potential as confirmed by capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. It is related to a reduction of charge recombination at the depletion region. The results suggest that Ag alloying and alkali PDT are essential for producing highly efficient flexible CIGSe solar cells.

• New & Renewable Energy
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.38-51
• /
• 2024

The rapid expansion of industrialization and population growth worldwide has led to a significant surge in energy demand, perpetuating heavy reliance on finite fossil fuel reserves. Although prevailing policies primarily target ground-mounted solar photovoltaics, there is a noticeable increase in the adoption of floating solar power generation systems on water surfaces. Nonetheless, adequate studies and legislative reviews on offshore solar photovoltaics in Korea are lacking. The absence of well-defined criteria for the economic analysis of floating solar photovoltaics presents hurdles to their economic feasibility. This study conducted a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of offshore photovoltaics to evaluate their economic viability and compared four types of solar photovoltaics based on the operating area and technology: ground-mounted, floating on inland water, pontoon-based offshore, and flexible system offshore. Perspectives from both central and local government entities, emphasizing social aspects, as well as inputs from private companies with a financial focus were considered. The findings revealed variations in economic viability depending on the operating area and technology employed. This study aims to contribute to the advancement of market maturity and technology within the realm of offshore solar photovoltaics.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.18-22
• /
• 2022

Photovoltaics (PV) power generation efficiency is affected by meteorological factors such as temperature and wind speed. In general, it is known that the power generation amount decreases because photovoltaics panel temperature rises and the power generation efficiency decreases in summer. Photovoltaics Thermal (PVT) power generation has the ad-vantage of being able to produce heat together with power, as well as preventing the reduction in power generation efficien-cy and output due to the temperature rise of the panel. In this study, the amount of heat collected by season and time was calculated for photovoltaics thermal modules using the International Weather for Energy Calculations (IWEC) data provided by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Based on this, we propose a method of predicting the temperature of the photovoltaics panel using thermal analysis and then calculating the flow rate of coolant to improve power generation efficiency. As the results, the photovoltaics efficiencies versus time on January, April, July, and October in Jeju of the Republic of Korea were calculated to the range of 15.06% to 17.83%, and the maxi-mum cooling load and flow rate for the photovoltaics thermal module were calculated to 121.16 W and 45 cc/min, respec-tively. Though this study, it could be concluded that the photovoltaics thermal system can be composed of up to 53 modules with targeting the Jeju, since the maximum capacity of the coolant circulation pump of the photovoltaics thermal system applied in this study is 2,400 cc/min.

• Solar Energy
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 1997

Since PESC(passivated emitter solar cell) was developed in 1985, high efficiency silicon solar cell technology based on planar technology has been improved in the order of PERC, Point Contact Solar Cell, PERL. BCSC and DSBC, which do not require photolithography, are expected to replace commercial screen printed cells because of its potential for low cost and high efficiency. In this paper, history and characteristics of each type of cells are reviewed.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.111-122
• /
• 2021

Silicon heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cells have received considerable attention due to advantages that include high efficiency over 26%, good performance in the real world environment, and easy application to bifacial power generation using symmetric device structure. Furthermore, ultra-highly efficient perovskite/c-Si tandem devices using the HJT bottom cells have been reported. In this paper, we discuss the unique feature of the HJT solar cells, the fabrication processes and the current status of technology development. We also investigate practical challenges and key technologies of the HJT solar cell manufacturers for reducing fabrication cost and increasing productivity.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.128-132
• /
• 2021

Advances in screen printing technology have been led to development of high efficiency silicon solar cells. As a post PERx structure, an n-type wafer-based rear side TOPCon structure has been actively researched for further open-circuit voltage (Voc) improvement. In the case of the metal contact of the TOPCon structure, the poly-Si thickness is very important because the passivation of the substrate will be degraded when the metal paste penetrates until substrate. However, the thin poly-Si layer has advantages in terms of current density due to reduction of parasitic absorption. Therefore, poly-Si thickness and firing temperature must be considered to optimize the metal contact of the TOPCon structure. In this paper, we varied poly-Si thickness and firing peak temperature to evaluate metal induced recombination (Jom) and contact resistivity. Jom was evaluated by using PL imaging technique which does not require both side metal contact. As a results, we realized that the SiN_x deposition conditions can affect the metal contact of the TOPCon structure.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.98-107
• /
• 2016

Third-generation photovoltaics are of low cost based on solution processes and are targeting a high efficiency. To meet the commercial demand, however, significant improvements of both efficiency and stability are required. In this sense, interfacial engineering can be useful key to solve these issues because trap sites and interfacial energy barrier and/or chemical instability at organic/organic and organic/inorganic interfaces are critical factors of efficiency and stability degradation. Here, we thoroughly review the interfacial engineering strategies applicable to three representative third-generation photovoltaics - organic, perovskite, colloidal quantum dot solar cell devices.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2020

The importance of floating photovoltaic systems has recently been emerging to address some issues arising from the installation of conventional ground-mounted photovoltaics. Floating photovoltaics have a few advantages such as cutting down land usage, reducing water evaporation or creating algae. Though there is still necessity to supplement with technical issues: mechanical stability, reliability and long-term durability of floaters and modules. In this paper, we focus the current level of packaging development and introduce research trends that could be applied to next-generation floating photovoltaics.

• Solar Energy
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 1997

The solar cell electrical output parameters such as the open circuit voltage($V_{oc}$) and short circuit current density($V_{sc}$) are intrinsic characteristics depending on junction depth, doping concentration, metal contacts barriers and cell structure. As a role of thumb for solar cell design, the metal contact barriers for phosphorus doped emitter should have lower work function in order to provide lower series resistance. The fabrication of PESC(passivated emitter solar cell) structure usually involves the use of titanium as a metal contact barrier. Chromium, which work function is similar to titanium but conductance is higher than titanium is being investigated as the new metal contact barrier. Although titanium has lower work function difference than chromium, the electric performances of chromium as contact barrier are higher than titanium. This better performance is attributed to the lower resistivity from chromium. This paper, therefore, compares the attributes of metal barrier contacts using titanium and chromium.

• New & Renewable Energy
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.76-82
• /
• 2020

Soiling on the surface of a PV module reduces the amount of light reaching the solar cells, decreasing power performance. The performance of the PV module is generally restored after contaminants on the module surface are washed away by rain, but it accumulates at the bottom of the module owing to the thickness of the module frame, causing an output mismatch on the PV module. Since PV modules are usually installed horizontally or vertically outdoors, soiling can occur at the bottom of the PV module, depending on the installation direction due to external environmental factors. This paper is analyzed the output characteristics of a PV module considering its installation direction and the soiling area. The soiling was simulated to use transparent films with 5% transmittance, and the transmission film was attached to the bottom part of the PV module horizontally and vertically. When the soiling area was 33% of the string at the bottom of the PV module, the power output decreased similarly regardless of installation direction. However, when the soiling area was 66% of the string at the bottom of the PV module, it was confirmed that the output performance decreased sharply when installed vertically rather than horizontally.