DocumentCode :
882157
Title :
A novel low-cost, high-efficiency micromachined silicon solar cell
Author :
Weber, K.J. ; Blakers, A.W. ; Stocks, M.J. ; Babaei, J.H. ; Everett, V.A. ; Neuendorf, A.J. ; Verlinden, P.J.
Author_Institution :
Centre for Sustainable Energy Syst., Australian Nat. Univ., Canberra, ACT, Australia
Volume :
25
Issue :
1
fYear :
2004
Firstpage :
37
Lastpage :
39
Abstract :
This letter presents a new process for the fabrication of solar cells and modules from single crystal silicon wafers with substantially reduced silicon consumption and processing effort compared to conventional wafer-based cells. The technique of narrow trench etching in an alkaline solution is used to create a series of thin silicon strips extending vertically through the wafer. By turning the silicon strips on their side, a large increase in surface area is achieved. Individual cells fabricated using the new process have reached efficiencies up to 18.5% while a 575 cm2 module incorporating a rear reflector and a cell surface coverage of 50% has displayed an efficiency of 12.3% under standard rating conditions. The technique has the potential to reduce silicon consumption by a factor of 10 compared to standard wafer-based silicon solar cells and, therefore, to dramatically reduce the dependence to the expensive silicon feedstock.
Keywords :
etching; micromachining; solar cells; alkaline solution; cell surface coverage; micromachining; narrow trench etching; rear reflector; reduced silicon consumption; silicon feedstock; silicon solar cell; silicon strips; single crystal silicon wafers; wafer-based cells; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Costs; Fabrication; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Silicon; Solar power generation; Strips; Turning; Wet etching;
fLanguage :
English
Journal_Title :
Electron Device Letters, IEEE
Publisher :
ieee
ISSN :
0741-3106
Type :
jour
DOI :
10.1109/LED.2003.821600
Filename :
1264107
Link To Document :
بازگشت