From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth

Use of a solar cell in concentrator PV technology requires reduction in its series resistance in order to minimize the resistive power losses. The present paper discusses a methodology of reducing the series resistance of a commercial c-Si solar cell for concentrator applications, in the range of 2...

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Main Authors: Vikrant A. Chaudhari, Chetan S. Solanki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2009-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/827402
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author Vikrant A. Chaudhari
Chetan S. Solanki
author_facet Vikrant A. Chaudhari
Chetan S. Solanki
author_sort Vikrant A. Chaudhari
collection DOAJ
description Use of a solar cell in concentrator PV technology requires reduction in its series resistance in order to minimize the resistive power losses. The present paper discusses a methodology of reducing the series resistance of a commercial c-Si solar cell for concentrator applications, in the range of 2 to 10 suns. Step by step optimization of commercial cell in terms of grid geometry, junction depth, and electroplating of the front metal contacts is proposed. A model of resistance network of solar cell is developed and used for the optimization. Efficiency of unoptimized commercial cell at 10 suns drops by 30% of its 1 sun value corresponding to resistive power loss of about 42%. The optimized cell with grid optimization, junction optimization, electroplating, and junction optimized with electroplated contacts cell gives resistive power loss of 20%, 16%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. An efficiency gain of 3% at 10 suns for fully optimized cell is estimated.
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spelling doaj-art-b99e2a4a404140d78e13fc732b7c96332025-08-20T03:23:14ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2009-01-01200910.1155/2009/827402827402From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction DepthVikrant A. Chaudhari0Chetan S. Solanki1Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, IndiaDepartment of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, IndiaUse of a solar cell in concentrator PV technology requires reduction in its series resistance in order to minimize the resistive power losses. The present paper discusses a methodology of reducing the series resistance of a commercial c-Si solar cell for concentrator applications, in the range of 2 to 10 suns. Step by step optimization of commercial cell in terms of grid geometry, junction depth, and electroplating of the front metal contacts is proposed. A model of resistance network of solar cell is developed and used for the optimization. Efficiency of unoptimized commercial cell at 10 suns drops by 30% of its 1 sun value corresponding to resistive power loss of about 42%. The optimized cell with grid optimization, junction optimization, electroplating, and junction optimized with electroplated contacts cell gives resistive power loss of 20%, 16%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. An efficiency gain of 3% at 10 suns for fully optimized cell is estimated.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/827402
spellingShingle Vikrant A. Chaudhari
Chetan S. Solanki
From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
International Journal of Photoenergy
title From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
title_full From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
title_fullStr From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
title_full_unstemmed From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
title_short From 1 Sun to 10 Suns c-Si Cells by Optimizing Metal Grid, Metal Resistance, and Junction Depth
title_sort from 1 sun to 10 suns c si cells by optimizing metal grid metal resistance and junction depth
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/827402
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AT chetanssolanki from1sunto10sunscsicellsbyoptimizingmetalgridmetalresistanceandjunctiondepth