Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology

Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology

Author: Ruud E.I. Schropp

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-07-18

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 1461556317

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Amorphous silicon solar cell technology has evolved considerably since the first amorphous silicon solar cells were made at RCA Laboratories in 1974. Scien tists working in a number of laboratories worldwide have developed improved alloys based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon. Other scientists have developed new methods for growing these thin films while yet others have developed new photovoltaic (PV) device structures with im proved conversion efficiencies. In the last two years, several companies have constructed multi-megawatt manufacturing plants that can produce large-area, multijunction amorphous silicon PV modules. A growing number of people be lieve that thin-film photovoltaics will be integrated into buildings on a large scale in the next few decades and will be able to make a major contribution to the world's energy needs. In this book, Ruud E. I. Schropp and Miro Zeman provide an authoritative overview of the current status of thin film solar cells based on amorphous and microcrystalline silicon. They review the significant developments that have occurred during the evolution of the technology and also discuss the most im portant recent innovations in the deposition of the materials, the understanding of the physics, and the fabrication and modeling of the devices.


Book Synopsis Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology by : Ruud E.I. Schropp

Download or read book Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology written by Ruud E.I. Schropp and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-07-18 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Amorphous silicon solar cell technology has evolved considerably since the first amorphous silicon solar cells were made at RCA Laboratories in 1974. Scien tists working in a number of laboratories worldwide have developed improved alloys based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon. Other scientists have developed new methods for growing these thin films while yet others have developed new photovoltaic (PV) device structures with im proved conversion efficiencies. In the last two years, several companies have constructed multi-megawatt manufacturing plants that can produce large-area, multijunction amorphous silicon PV modules. A growing number of people be lieve that thin-film photovoltaics will be integrated into buildings on a large scale in the next few decades and will be able to make a major contribution to the world's energy needs. In this book, Ruud E. I. Schropp and Miro Zeman provide an authoritative overview of the current status of thin film solar cells based on amorphous and microcrystalline silicon. They review the significant developments that have occurred during the evolution of the technology and also discuss the most im portant recent innovations in the deposition of the materials, the understanding of the physics, and the fabrication and modeling of the devices.


Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Author: Christoph Richter

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2012-11-29

Total Pages: 744

ISBN-13: 9781461458050

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Gathering some 30 entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology, this book presents fundamental principles and technologies for sustainably harnessing solar energy. Covers photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar radiation and more.


Book Synopsis Solar Energy by : Christoph Richter

Download or read book Solar Energy written by Christoph Richter and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-11-29 with total page 744 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gathering some 30 entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology, this book presents fundamental principles and technologies for sustainably harnessing solar energy. Covers photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar radiation and more.


Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon

Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon

Author: Robert A. Street

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-06-29

Total Pages: 429

ISBN-13: 3662041413

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This book gives the first systematic and complete survey of technology and application of amorphous silicon, a material with a huge potential in electronic applications. The book features contributions by world-wide leading researchers in this field.


Book Synopsis Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon by : Robert A. Street

Download or read book Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon written by Robert A. Street and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-06-29 with total page 429 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book gives the first systematic and complete survey of technology and application of amorphous silicon, a material with a huge potential in electronic applications. The book features contributions by world-wide leading researchers in this field.


Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Author: Arvind Victor Shah

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2010-08-19

Total Pages: 440

ISBN-13: 1439808104

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Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a "solar-energy world," as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, a prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications. A special emphasis is given to amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon as photovoltaic materials, along with a model that allows these systems to be physically described in the simplest manner possible, thus allowing the student or scientist/engineer entering the field of thin-film electronics to master a few basic concepts that are distinct from those in the field of conventional semiconductors. The main part of the book deals with solar cells and modules by illustrating the basic functioning of these devices, along with their limitations, design optimization, testing and fabrication methods. Among the manufacturing processes discussed are plasma-assisted and hot-wire deposition, sputtering, and structuring techniques.


Book Synopsis Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells by : Arvind Victor Shah

Download or read book Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells written by Arvind Victor Shah and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2010-08-19 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a "solar-energy world," as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, a prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications. A special emphasis is given to amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon as photovoltaic materials, along with a model that allows these systems to be physically described in the simplest manner possible, thus allowing the student or scientist/engineer entering the field of thin-film electronics to master a few basic concepts that are distinct from those in the field of conventional semiconductors. The main part of the book deals with solar cells and modules by illustrating the basic functioning of these devices, along with their limitations, design optimization, testing and fabrication methods. Among the manufacturing processes discussed are plasma-assisted and hot-wire deposition, sputtering, and structuring techniques.


Thin Film Solar Cells

Thin Film Solar Cells

Author: Jef Poortmans

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2006-10-16

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 0470091266

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Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.


Book Synopsis Thin Film Solar Cells by : Jef Poortmans

Download or read book Thin Film Solar Cells written by Jef Poortmans and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2006-10-16 with total page 504 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.


Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Author: Arvind Shah

Publisher: EPFL Press

Published: 2010-08-19

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 9781420066746

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Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a "solar-energy world," as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, a prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications. A special emphasis is given to amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon as photovoltaic materials, along with a model that allows these systems to be physically described in the simplest manner possible, thus allowing the student or scientist/engineer entering the field of thin-film electronics to master a few basic concepts that are distinct from those in the field of conventional semiconductors. The main part of the book deals with solar cells and modules by illustrating the basic functioning of these devices, along with their limitations, design optimization, testing and fabrication methods. Among the manufacturing processes discussed are plasma-assisted and hot-wire deposition, sputtering, and structuring techniques.


Book Synopsis Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells by : Arvind Shah

Download or read book Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells written by Arvind Shah and published by EPFL Press. This book was released on 2010-08-19 with total page 472 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a "solar-energy world," as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, a prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications. A special emphasis is given to amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon as photovoltaic materials, along with a model that allows these systems to be physically described in the simplest manner possible, thus allowing the student or scientist/engineer entering the field of thin-film electronics to master a few basic concepts that are distinct from those in the field of conventional semiconductors. The main part of the book deals with solar cells and modules by illustrating the basic functioning of these devices, along with their limitations, design optimization, testing and fabrication methods. Among the manufacturing processes discussed are plasma-assisted and hot-wire deposition, sputtering, and structuring techniques.


Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Author: W.R. Fahrner

Publisher: Trans Tech Publications Ltd

Published: 2006-08-15

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 3038131024

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The world of today must face up to two contradictory energy problems: on the one hand, there is the sharply growing consumer demand in countries such as China and India. On the other hand, natural resources are dwindling. Moreover, many of those countries which still possess substantial gas and oil supplies are politically unstable. As a result, renewable natural energy sources have received great attention. Among these, solar-cell technology is one of the most promising candidates. However, there still remains the problem of the manufacturing costs of such cells. Many attempts have been made to reduce the production costs of “conventional” solar cells (manufactured from monocrystalline silicon using diffusion methods) by instead using cheaper grades of silicon, and simpler pn-junction fabrication. That is the ‘hero’ of this book; the heterojunction solar cell.


Book Synopsis Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells by : W.R. Fahrner

Download or read book Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells written by W.R. Fahrner and published by Trans Tech Publications Ltd. This book was released on 2006-08-15 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world of today must face up to two contradictory energy problems: on the one hand, there is the sharply growing consumer demand in countries such as China and India. On the other hand, natural resources are dwindling. Moreover, many of those countries which still possess substantial gas and oil supplies are politically unstable. As a result, renewable natural energy sources have received great attention. Among these, solar-cell technology is one of the most promising candidates. However, there still remains the problem of the manufacturing costs of such cells. Many attempts have been made to reduce the production costs of “conventional” solar cells (manufactured from monocrystalline silicon using diffusion methods) by instead using cheaper grades of silicon, and simpler pn-junction fabrication. That is the ‘hero’ of this book; the heterojunction solar cell.


Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon

Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon

Author: Robert Street

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1999-11-02

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 9783540657149

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This book gives the first systematic and complete survey of technology and application of amorphous silicon, a material with a huge potential in electronic applications. The book features contributions by world-wide leading researchers in this field.


Book Synopsis Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon by : Robert Street

Download or read book Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon written by Robert Street and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 1999-11-02 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book gives the first systematic and complete survey of technology and application of amorphous silicon, a material with a huge potential in electronic applications. The book features contributions by world-wide leading researchers in this field.


Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells

Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells

Author: Wilfried G. J. H. M. van Sark

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-11-16

Total Pages: 588

ISBN-13: 3642222757

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Today’s solar cell multi-GW market is dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer technology, however new cell concepts are entering the market. One very promising solar cell design to answer these needs is the silicon hetero-junction solar cell, of which the emitter and back surface field are basically produced by a low temperature growth of ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon. In this design, amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) constitutes both „emitter“ and „base-contact/back surface field“ on both sides of a thin crystalline silicon wafer-base (c-Si) where the electrons and holes are photogenerated; at the same time, a-Si:H passivates the c-Si surface. Recently, cell efficiencies above 23% have been demonstrated for such solar cells. In this book, the editors present an overview of the state-of-the-art in physics and technology of amorphous-crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells. The heterojunction concept is introduced, processes and resulting properties of the materials used in the cell and their heterointerfaces are discussed and characterization techniques and simulation tools are presented.


Book Synopsis Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells by : Wilfried G. J. H. M. van Sark

Download or read book Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells written by Wilfried G. J. H. M. van Sark and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-11-16 with total page 588 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today’s solar cell multi-GW market is dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer technology, however new cell concepts are entering the market. One very promising solar cell design to answer these needs is the silicon hetero-junction solar cell, of which the emitter and back surface field are basically produced by a low temperature growth of ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon. In this design, amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) constitutes both „emitter“ and „base-contact/back surface field“ on both sides of a thin crystalline silicon wafer-base (c-Si) where the electrons and holes are photogenerated; at the same time, a-Si:H passivates the c-Si surface. Recently, cell efficiencies above 23% have been demonstrated for such solar cells. In this book, the editors present an overview of the state-of-the-art in physics and technology of amorphous-crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells. The heterojunction concept is introduced, processes and resulting properties of the materials used in the cell and their heterointerfaces are discussed and characterization techniques and simulation tools are presented.


Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices

Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices

Author: Janez Krc

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2016-04-19

Total Pages: 269

ISBN-13: 1439818509

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In wafer-based and thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices, the management of light is a crucial aspect of optimization since trapping sunlight in active parts of PV devices is essential for efficient energy conversions. Optical modeling and simulation enable efficient analysis and optimization of the optical situation in optoelectronic and PV devices.


Book Synopsis Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices by : Janez Krc

Download or read book Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices written by Janez Krc and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2016-04-19 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In wafer-based and thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices, the management of light is a crucial aspect of optimization since trapping sunlight in active parts of PV devices is essential for efficient energy conversions. Optical modeling and simulation enable efficient analysis and optimization of the optical situation in optoelectronic and PV devices.