Heterojunction Solar Cell – What Is It and How It Works

As of 2023, silicon heterojunction solar cells lead in efficiency for big solar cells. This tech marks a big leap in the solar game, reaching new heights in performance and trust. They blend the best of usual silicon solar cells with thin-film ones, making a new way to boost solar energy power.

Heterojunction solar cells join different semiconductors’ band gaps to merge crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. This mix brings the strong points of each, making solar panels that work really well. Now, they are widely used, from homes to big facilities, meeting the push for powerful and clean energy solutions.

With solar tech always getting better, heterojunction’s role in lifting panel efficiency and life is crucial. Fenice Energy is a front runner in pushing this change, with top-notch solar panels changing the solar market in India.

Key Takeaways

• Heterojunction solar cells combine crystalline silicon and thin-film amorphous silicon layers for enhanced efficiency and performance.
• As of 2023, silicon heterojunction architecture has the highest cell efficiency for commercial-sized solar cells.
• Heterojunction solar panels are commercially mass-produced for residential and utility-scale applications.
• Fenice Energy offers advanced heterojunction solar solutions to the Indian market, leveraging over 20 years of experience in clean energy.
• The unique design of heterojunction solar cells allows for higher conversion efficiencies, improved temperature coefficients, and longer lifespans compared to conventional solar technologies.

Introduction to Heterojunction Solar Cells

Over the last ten years, Heterojunction technology (HJT) has rapidly grown in the solar industry. It has become the best way to increase solar efficiency and power, outperforming PERC. PERC is the standard right now.

Overview of Heterojunction Technology

Heterojunction technology brings together the best of both worlds. It uses the strength of crystalline silicon and thin-film solar cells. This blend creates a powerful solution. It significantly increases efficiency and power generation.

HJT has become the top choice in the solar industry. It fully realizes the solar energy potential, thanks to this unique approach.

Key Materials Used in Heterojunction Solar Cells

Heterojunction solar cells use special materials for their high performance. They have a central crystalline silicon (c-Si) layer. It is surrounded by thin layers of intrinsic amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). Then, they add doped a-Si:H layers.

The choice of these materials is very important. It helps the cells absorb light better, move charge efficiently, and keep the surface right. All this improves the solar panels’ efficiency and power output.

What is Heterojunction Solar Cell?

Heterojunction solar cells mix the best parts of crystalline silicon (c-Si) and thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. They use a c-Si wafer layer in the middle with thin a-Si:H layers on both sides. Each a-Si:H layer has a doped a-Si:H layer on top.

Structure and Design of Heterojunction Solar Cells

The design of a heterojunction solar cell aims to catch sunlight well and draw out energy. The c-Si wafer captures the sunlight. The a-Si:H layers help push the energy through the cell.

This setup also makes sure the c-Si surface works better, reducing energy loss. That makes the cell more efficient.

Manufacturing Process

Manufacturing heterojunction solar cells is complex and involves several steps. First, a c-Si wafer is coated with thin a-Si:H layers using PECVD. Then, TCO layers are applied as the top and bottom contacts, depending on if the cell is one-sided or two-sided.

Classification: n-type and p-type Heterojunction Cells

Heterojunction cells can be classified as n-type or p-type, based on the a-Si:H layer doping. In n-type cells, the a-Si:H layer is doped n-type. In p-type cells, it’s doped p-type. Choosing between the two depends on various factors, like cost and performance.

How Heterojunction Solar Cells Work

Heterojunction solar panels are like other solar modules but more efficient. They use the photovoltaic effect to make electricity. When light hits them, this effect turns the light into power, creating electricity that can be used.

Photovoltaic Effect in Heterojunction Cells

Light shines on a heterojunction solar cell, exciting the electrons in it. These excited electrons cause an electric current to flow when they break free. This way, the cell produces electricity for use.

Reducing Surface Recombination

Heterojunction cells are good at lowering surface recombination, a common problem. They use thin layers of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) to reduce the loss of charge carriers. This makes the cells work better.

Absorption and Conversion Process

The cell’s core is made of crystalline silicon (c-Si) and it’s great at catching sunlight. It creates electron-hole pairs. Thin-film layers around it help gather and move these pairs, making the cell more effective at turning sunlight into electricity.

Advantages of Heterojunction Solar Cells

Heterojunction solar panels offer many benefits over older solar technologies. They are perfect for homes, businesses, and large projects. The key advantages are their high efficiency, better performance in hot weather, ability to generate more power from sunlight reflected off the rear, and a longer life.

High Efficiency and Power Output

Heterojunction solar cells are among the best in turning sunlight into electricity. They can reach efficiency levels of up to 26.7%. This is due to their special design, which reduces energy loss at the surface and captures more sunlight.

This high efficiency means more power is produced from the same space. This is good news for anyone wanting to make the most from their solar system, whether it’s on the roof or in the backyard.

Improved Temperature Coefficient

Heterojunction solar cells work well even when it’s very hot outside. Typical solar cells lose some of their power in high temperatures. But HJT cells keep working effectively, making them great for places with a lot of sun.

High Bifaciality

One cool thing about heterojunction solar cells is their ability to work from both sides. This means they can use sunlight that bounces off the ground or other surfaces. With this, they can produce up to 25% more energy than regular solar panels.

These cells are therefore a good choice for farms or big buildings. Those locations often have a lot of open space where sunlight can reflect and be used.

Longer Lifespan

Another big advantage of heterojunction solar panels is their durability. They can keep working well for 30 years or more. Even after all those years, they can still produce at least 80% of their original power.

This long life means they cost less over time and need less maintenance. They are a great investment for anyone in India, be it a homeowner or a business.

Conclusion

Heterojunction solar cell technology is exciting new tech for solar panels. It combines two types of silicon layers. This mix boosts efficiency, deals well with heat, and lasts longer.

This mix is making solar energy better for homes and big projects. It’s all about making more power from the sun.

Fenice Energy is a top company in this field. They’ve been doing solar tech for 20 years. Offering full solutions, they help people use solar, power backups, and electric cars together.

Their work helps move us towards using clean energy, and they keep getting better at it as the solar market grows.

Heterojunction solar cells are a smart buy for those who want to save energy and help the planet. They work really well, even in hot weather, and last a long time.

Choosing this tech means people and businesses in India can lead in clean, self-sufficient energy use.

FAQ

What is a heterojunction solar cell?

Heterojunction solar cells (HJT) use a mix of two semi-conductors with different band gaps. This blend makes them a blend of standard silicon and low-cost thin-film solar cells.

What is the structure of a heterojunction solar cell?

The design includes a layer that absorbs light on a silicon wafer. Then, thin layers of a-Si:H cover it, with specially treated a-Si:H layers above them. The setup may include metal layers, especially for one-sided cells, for electrical connections.

What is the efficiency of heterojunction solar cells?

By 2023, heterojunction cells lead in efficiency among commercial solar cells. They outperform PERC, the previous top technology, in efficiency.

What are the advantages of heterojunction solar cells?

Heterojunction solar panels have many pluses over traditional tech. They are more efficient, perform better at hot temperatures, and have a longer life.

What materials are used in heterojunction solar cells?

This technology uses both solid silicon and amorphous silicon. Mixing these materials boosts the cell’s performance.

How are heterojunction solar cells manufactured?

Producing HJT solar panels has improved in the last decade. It’s now seen as the best way to enhance solar efficiency and power.

Where are heterojunction solar cells used?

These solar panels are widely available today, used in homes and large power plants.