Open AccessAmorphous single‐junction cells for vertical BIPV application with high bifaciality
Author(s) -
Reininghaus Nies,
Feser Clemens,
Hanke Benedikt,
Vehse Martin,
Agert Carsten
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.116
Subject(s) - building integrated photovoltaics , materials science , optoelectronics , photovoltaic system , amorphous solid , wafer , layer (electronics) , open circuit voltage , engineering physics , irradiance , voltage , optics , nanotechnology , electrical engineering , engineering , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry
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.