Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Carbon to Silicon - A Paradigm Shift in Electricity Generation, Volume 1

This book provides a comprehensive guide to solar cell science and technology,covering materials, electrical, and optical aspects, with a focus on crystalline silicon. It is designed for practicing engineers and technicians, as well as upper-level engineering and material science students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of crystalline silicon solar cell science and technology, offering a comprehensive perspective from an experienced experimentalist. With extensive hands-on experience in modeling, fabrication, and characterization, the author presents a practical approach to solar cell fabrication. The book is organized into three sections: materials, electrical, and optical.

The materials section explores wafer processing methods, including saw damage removal, texturing, diffusion, and surface passivation. It provides detailed descriptions of these processes, enabling readers to understand the intricacies involved in solar cell manufacturing.

The electrical section focuses on the formation of ohmic contacts on n and p-doped surfaces. It discusses the various techniques used to achieve high-quality contacts, such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and ion implantation. The author also discusses the electrical properties of solar cells and their impact on performance.

The optical section illustrates light interaction with textured silicon surfaces in terms of geometrical, diffractive, and physical optics. It discusses topics such as light absorption, reflection, and transmission, as well as surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy. The author explains how these optical phenomena influence the efficiency of solar cells.

A final chapter analyzes the performance of solar cells fabricated with a wide range of process parameters. It discusses factors such as cell efficiency, fill factor, and short-circuit current, and provides insights into the optimization of solar cell manufacturing processes.

Additionally, the book includes a brief economic analysis on the merits of crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic technology as a cottage industry. The author discusses the potential for solar cell manufacturing to contribute to rural development and energy independence.

This professional reference is an invaluable resource for practicing engineers and technicians working with solar cell and photovoltaic manufacturing, as well as upper-level engineering and material science students. It provides a comprehensive understanding of crystalline silicon solar cell science and technology, enabling readers to stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.

Weight: 433g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030733810
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021