Single crystal silicon structure of photovoltaic modules

What is a crystalline silicon PV cell?

Crystalline silicon cell fabrication: Crystalline silicon PV cells are fabricated from the so-called “semiconductor silicon” that is prepared from metallurgical silicon by decomposition of SiHCl 3 or SiH 4 in purity higher than 99.9999%.

What are crystalline silicon solar cells?

During the past few decades, crystalline silicon solar cells are mainly applied on the utilization of solar energy in large scale, which are mainly classified into three types, i.e., mono-crystalline silicon, multi-crystalline silicon and thin film, respectively .

What is the device structure of a silicon solar cell?

The device structure of a silicon solar cell is based on the concept of a p-n junction, for which dopant atoms such as phosphorus and boron are introduced into intrinsic silicon for preparing n- or p-type silicon, respectively. A simplified schematic cross-section of a commercial mono-crystalline silicon solar cell is shown in Fig. 2.

What is the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells?

Masuko, K. et al. Achievement of more than 25% conversion efficiency with crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cell. IEEE J. Photovolt. 4, 1433–1435 (2014). Boccard, M. & Holman, Z. C. Amorphous silicon carbide passivating layers for crystalline-silicon-based heterojunction solar cells. J. Appl. Phys. 118, 065704 (2015).

Which material is used in photovoltaic cell production?

Monocrystalline silicon is the most common and efficient silicon-based material employed in photovoltaic cell production. This element is often referred to as single-crystal silicon. It consists of silicon, where the entire solid’s crystal lattice is continuous, unbroken to its edges, and free from grain limits.

How much power does a crystalline silicon PV module have?

Present c-Si modules have nominal power up to 400 W p, average efficiency of 17% (maximum 22%), and energy payback time below 2 years. Figure 18.22. Cost structure of crystalline silicon PV module development. Today, the vast majority of PV modules (85% to 90% of the global annual market) are based on wafer-based c-Si.