UNSW SPREE 202309-07 Daniel Macdonald - Achieving 26% silicon solar cells - TOPCon or heterojunct?

UNSW School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering
Achieving 26% silicon solar cells in mass production with passivating contacts - TOPCon or heterojunctions?
Daniel Macdonald
Australian National University
7 September 2023
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ABSTRACT
The primary power loss mechanisms in industrial solar cells featuring either doped poly-silicon contacts (commonly known as TOPCon cells) and amorphous silicon contacts (silicon heterojunction cells - SHJ) are identified, quantified, and discussed. Generally, parasitic absorption on the front side of SHJ cells leads to lower currents than TOPCon cells, while SHJ cells have higher voltages, due mainly to reduced recombination at the front surface and contacts. SHJ cells also have higher fill factors, thanks largely to reduced transport losses to the front contacts. We then evaluate possible solutions for the two technologies to overcome their respective losses, based on modified architectures and materials development, and conclude that both have the potential to achieve efficiencies above 26% in mass production in the near future.
BRIEF BIO
Professor Daniel Macdonald completed his PhD in silicon solar cells at ANU in 2001 and has over 20 years' experience in silicon solar cell research, spanning materials, device design and fabrication, and advanced characterization. He currently leads a team of 25 postdoctoral fellows and research students, has published over 400 papers in the field, and has led projects valued at over A$20 million, including large industry-supported projects. He has held three ARC Fellowships and is a leading expert in n-type silicon solar cells and their commercialization, including poly-silicon contacted solar cells.

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Thanks for presentation. We know a little bit more about solar.