Publication

Tandem and Multiple-junction Devices Based on Thin-film Silicon Technology

Christophe Ballif
2014
Book Chapters

Abstract

This book chapter presents an overview of thin-film silicon (both amorphous and microcrystalline) technology and its application to the fabrication of tandem and multiple-junction solar cells. It reviews the material relevant properties for this application and discuss the critical points for achieving high device efficiency. The state-of-the-art, current limitations and prospective concepts are discussed in details.

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Christophe Ballif
2014
Book Chapters

Abstract

Official source

Related concepts (29)

Thin-film solar cell

Thin-film solar cells are made by depositing one or more thin layers (thin films or TFs) of photovoltaic material onto a substrate, such as glass, plastic or metal. Thin-film solar cells are typically a few nanometers (nm) to a few microns (μm) thick–much thinner than the wafers used in conventional crystalline silicon (c-Si) based solar cells, which can be up to 200 μm thick. Thin-film solar cells are commercially used in several technologies, including cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), and amorphous thin-film silicon (a-Si, TF-Si).

Multi-junction solar cell

Multi-junction (MJ) solar cells are solar cells with multiple p–n junctions made of different semiconductor materials. Each material's p-n junction will produce electric current in response to different wavelengths of light. The use of multiple semiconducting materials allows the absorbance of a broader range of wavelengths, improving the cell's sunlight to electrical energy conversion efficiency. Traditional single-junction cells have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 33.16%.

Amorphous silicon

Amorphous silicon (a-Si) is the non-crystalline form of silicon used for solar cells and thin-film transistors in LCDs. Used as semiconductor material for a-Si solar cells, or thin-film silicon solar cells, it is deposited in thin films onto a variety of flexible substrates, such as glass, metal and plastic. Amorphous silicon cells generally feature low efficiency.

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Tandem and Multiple-junction Devices Based on Thin-film Silicon Technology

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