Researchers exceed theoretical efficiency limit for Si solar cells
For this achievement, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy ISE (Freiburg, Germany) and semiconductor process company EV Group (St. Florian, Austria) used a direct wafer bonding process to transfer a few micrometers thin layer of III-V semiconductor material to silicon. After plasma activation, the subcell surfaces are bonded together in vacuum by applying pressure. The atoms on the surface of the III-V subcell form bonds with the silicon atoms, creating a monolithic device.
The efficiency achieved by the researchers presents a first- time result for this type of fully integrated silicon-based multi-junction solar cell. The complexity of its inner structure is not evident from its outer appearance: the cell has a simple front and rear contact just as a conventional silicon solar cell and therefore can be integrated into photovoltaic modules in the same manner. A conversion efficiency of 30.2 percent for the III-V / Si multi-junction solar cell of 4 cm2 was measured at Fraunhofer ISE’s calibration laboratory. In comparison, the highest efficiency measured to date for a pure silicon solar cell is 26.3 percent, and the theoretical efficiency limit is 29.4 percent.
The III-V / Si multi-junction solar cell consists of a sequence of subcells stacked on top of each other. Tunnel diodes internally connect the three subcells made of gallium-indium-phosphide (GaInP), gallium-arsenide (GaAs) and silicon (Si), which span the absorption range of the sun’s spectrum. The GaInP top cell absorbs radiation between 300 and 670 nm. The middle GaAs subcell absorbs radiation between 500 and 890 nm and the bottom Si subcell between 650 and 1180 nm, respectively. The III-V layers are first epitaxially deposited on a GaAs substrate and then bonded to a silicon solar cell structure. Subsequently the GaAs substrate is removed, and a front and rear contact as well as an antireflection coating are applied. “Key to the success was to find a manufacturing process for silicon solar cells that produces a smooth and highly doped surface which is suitable for wafer bonding as well as accounts for the different needs of silicon and the applied III-V semiconductors,” explains Jan Benick, research team leader at Fraunhofer ISE.
Despite the high efficiency, this technology is still too expensive to compete against other solar cells. Therefore, the researchers will work ways to reduce the manufacturing costs. According to Fraunhofer ISE, the ultimate objective is making high efficiency solar PV modules with efficiencies beyond the 30 percent mark possible.
More information: www.ise.fraunhofer.de
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