Title:	Nanophotonics for Ultra-Thin Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics: When Photons (Actually) Meet Electrons
Author(s):	V. Depauw, I. Abdo, R. Boukhicha, R. Cariou, W. Chen, I. Cosme Bolanos, O. Deparis, H. Ding, A. Dmitriev, E. Drouard, O. El Daif, A. Fave, M. Foldyna, E. García-Caurel, B. Heidari, A. Herman, L. Lalouat, K.D. Lee, J. Liu, K. Lodewijks, F. Champory, I. Massiot, A. Mayer, J. Müller, P. Narchi, R. Orobtchouk, G. Picardi, P. Prod'homme, P. Roca i Cabarrocas, C. Seassal, C. Trompoukis, I. Gordon, J. Poortmans
Keywords:	Light Trapping, Simulation, Thin Film Solar Cell, Texturisation, Texturization, Nanopatterning
Topic:	THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS
Subtopic:	Silicon-based Thin Film Solar Cells
Event:	29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	3BO.6.5
Pages:	1461 - 1469
ISBN:	3-936338-34-5
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20142014-3BO.6.5
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper, presentation

Abstract/Summary:

---

Nanopatterning has recently demonstrated to be an efficient method for boosting the light absorption of thin films (< 50 μm) of crystalline silicon. However, convincing solar cell results are still missing. The goal of the European project PhotoNVoltaics is to investigate the impacts that nanopatterns have on thin crystalline silicon solar cells and to identify the conditions for their efficient integration. The present contribution presents the main findings of the consortium so far. Optical modeling and optimization of nanopatterned thin-film c-Si cells have indicated a few trends regarding the design of the optimum pattern for 1-40 μm thin foils: merged inverted nanopyramids, with their progressive profile seem to provide the best combination of antireflective and light trapping properties, together with negligible surface damage and best coating template for subsequent process steps. But despite the high Jsc enhancement that these nanopatterns are expected to bring, and despite the higher efficiency of these nanophotonic structures for 1-2 μm-thin foils, the absolute Jsc values indicate that thicker foils will have to be preferred if direct competition with wafer-based and thin-film technologies is concerned. An ideal structure is taking shape as an IBC heterojunction cell, with a frontside nanopattern and a thickness of 40 μm.