Amorphous single‐junction cells for vertical BIPV application with high bifaciality

Abstract

Solar cells used in building integration of photovoltaic cells (BIPV) are commonly made from crystalline wafer cells. This contribution investigates the challenges and benefits of using bifacial solar cells in vertical installations. We show that those cells get up to 13% more irradiance compared to optimum tilted south facing monofacial modules in Germany. The role of the n-layer in thin amorphous bifacial single-junction cells intended to be used as bifacial cells in BIPV applications is investigated. In contrast to the superstrate cell design, a transparent n-layer and back contact play a key role to achieve high bifaciality. We therefore increased the transparency of the n-layer by adding CO 2 , increasing the PH 3 flow in the deposition gas and tested different thicknesses. With those measures, we reached a bifaciality of 98% for short-circuit current density and 99% for open-circuit voltage. 184

Efficiency Enhancement of Tilted Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules with Horizontal Single-Axis Tracker—The Bifacial Companion Method

“…Further, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the front and rear sides of a bifacial photovoltaic module has been improving year by year. The front efficiency of single-crystal passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cell has exceeded 22%; the bifacial factor has reached nearly 80%; and the bifacial factor of heterojunction (HJT) and n-type passivated emitter rear totally diffused (n-PERT) battery technology can reach more than 90% [7][8][9][10][11]. The maturity of bifacial photovoltaic module technology has paved the way for its large-scale industrial application in the field of solar energy.…”

Effects of Moisture-Proof Back Passivation Layers of Al2O3 and AlxTi1–xOy Films on Efficiency Improvement and Color Modulation in Transparent a-Si:H Solar Cells

“…To mitigate the potential environmental destruction caused by climate change, it is necessary to increase the influence and status of renewable energy. − Because electricity is produced and consumed in the same building using building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, one method for expanding the use of renewable energy is to explore these systems that neither require additional land nor exhibit electricity transmission losses. , Recently, the market for BIPVs has been expanding and various types of BIPVs, such as tiles, roofs, and solar windows, have been actively researched and developed. − Among them, the commercialization of solar windows has diminished owing to practical difficulties in its technology, such as manufacturing a uniform module in a large area and satisfying strict window specifications for stability and durability. Nevertheless, in modern architecture, the use of solar windows in buildings tends to be on the rise because of the growing demand for wider windows in buildings .…”