Researchers use laser doping to enhance the oxidation of IBC solar cells

Researchers from the International Solar Research Center at Konstanz and Delft University of Technology have discovered a method to pattern the back end of a cross finger rear contact battery, improving its efficiency by making certain parts of the solar cell thicker.

Researchers have developed a new technology that enhances oxidation in selected areas by patterning the back or back of IBC solar cells through laser doping processes.
The team found that this led to more effective patterning and also served as a protective layer for further manufacturing steps. This provides potential for expanding manufacturing scale and achieving commercialization of solar energy technology.

The new method utilizes the enhanced oxidation performance of phosphate glass layers in the local laser doped region with high phosphorus concentration. This method is expected to make these cells more efficient.
Since the development of the first batch of IBC batteries in the early 1970s, they have been widely used as the back or non lighting side of solar cells.

Compared to traditional double-sided contact solar cells, the advantage of IBC cells is that they eliminate any optical shadow loss caused by the metal fingers and busbars on the front. This makes solar cells have a higher short-circuit current density and reduces the complexity of battery interconnection within the module.

Therefore, a more comprehensive front surface texture and light capture scheme can be used on the front surface of the IBC structure. This design architecture makes it the perfect component for mechanically stacked batteries using higher bandgap technology.

The Fraunhofer Solar Systems Research Institute, headquartered in Germany, also achieved a record 26% conversion efficiency of double-sided contact silicon solar cells in 2021. Due to its low complexity, it is favored in industrial production.
Last September, researchers from the Fraunhofer Solar Energy Institute ISE and NWO Institute AMOLF also developed a multi junction solar cell with an efficiency of a record breaking 36.1%. This method stacks multiple layers of absorbing materials together, allowing each layer to effectively capture specific parts of the solar spectrum.

Source: Laser Net