New generation of TCO electrode for low cost and efficient silicon solar cells
R. Pietruszka
1
, B.S. Witkowski
1
, S. Gieraltowska
1
, E. Zielony
2
, K. Gwozdz
2
, P. Bieganski
2
,
E. Placzek-Popko
2
, M. Godlewski
1,3
1
Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
2
Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Technology,
Wroclaw, Poland
3
Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences College of Science, Cardinal Stefan
Wyszynski University, Warsaw, Poland
E-mail
In this work, we discussed properties of a new generation of TCO electrode, which we
developed for photovoltaic applications. Top, transparent electrode is created by combining
atomic layer deposition (ALD) and hydrothermal (HT) growth methods. With the latter
method an array of ZnO nanorods is grown, then coated with the ALD to form structured
electrode. A PV response of n-ZnO/p-Si structure, modified by the introduction of a 3D top
electrode (due to introduction of ZnO nanorods (NRs)) is investigated. For “flat”
Al/ZnO:Al/ZnO/Si/Al structure the best PV efficiency is equal to 10.5%. This efficiency was
improved when we introduced ZnO
NR
grown first on a silicon surface. For PV cell with the
modified top surface we observed an increased light trapping and extended range of angular
cells
operation.
The
best
PV
efficiency
of
such
“3D-structure”
(Al/ZnO:Al/ZnO/ZnO
NR
/Si/Al) is equal to 14%.
This work was partially supported by the National Science Center (decision No.DEC-
2012/06/A/ST7/00398), and (Wroclaw group) by the National Laboratory of Quantum
Technologies (POIG.02.02.00-00-003/08-00) and Statutory grant S400291.
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