Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Silicon Solar Cells”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Simulation analysis of a novel high efficiency silicon solar cell

It is recognized that crystalline silicon photovoltaic module efficiency of 15 percent or more is required for cost-effective photovoltaic energy utilization. This level of module efficiency requires large-area encapsulated production cell efficiencies in the range of 18 to 20 percent. Though the theoretical maximum of silicon solar cell efficiency for an idealized case is estimated to be around 30 percent, practical performance of cells to-date are considerably below this limit. This is understood to be largely a consequence of minority carrier losses in the bulk as well as at all surfaces including those under the metal contacts. In this paper a novel device design with special features to reduce bulk and surface recombination losses is evaluated using numerical analysis technique. Details of the numerical model, cell design, and analysis results are presented.

Mokashi, Anant R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Silicon materials task of the Low Cost Solar Array Project: Effect of impurities and processing on silicon solar cells

The effects of impurities and processing on the characteristics of silicon and terrestrial silicon solar cells were defined in order to develop cost benefit relationships for the use of cheaper, less pure solar grades of silicon. The amount of concentrations of commonly encountered impurities that can be tolerated in typical p or n base solar cells was established, then a preliminary analytical model from which the cell performance could be projected depending on the kinds and amounts of contaminants in the silicon base material was developed. The impurity data base was expanded to include construction materials, and the impurity performace model was refined to account for additional effects such as base resistivity, grain boundary interactions, thermal processing, synergic behavior, and nonuniform impurity distributions. A preliminary assessment of long term (aging) behavior of impurities was also undertaken.

Hopkins, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High efficiency ultrathin silicon solar cells

This paper summarizes developments in ultrathin, (50 micron), silicon solar cells for high power-to-weight ratio space power systems. The fabrication technology developments included uniformly thinning oriented silicon slices, enhancement of internal reflection, optimizing high-temperature processes, surface texturing and back surface field enhancement. The best textured-surface ultrathin cells have achieved 14.3% AMO efficiency, while pilot-manufacturing quantities of smooth-surfaced cells have been fabricated with efficiencies of 12%. Data are presented on cell structure, fabrication collection efficiencies and optical properties.

Storti, G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Proceedings of the Flat-Plate Solar Array Project Workshop on Crystal Gowth for High-Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells

A Workshop on Crystal Growth for High-Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells was held December 3 and 4, 1984, in San Diego, California. The Workshop offered a day and a half of technical presentations and discussions and an afternoon session that involved a panel discussion and general discussion of areas of research that are necessary to the development of materials for high-efficiency solar cells. Topics included the theoretical and experimental aspects of growing high-quality silicon crystals, the effects of growth-process-related defects on photovoltaic devices, and the suitability of various growth technologies as cost-effective processes. Fifteen invited papers were presented, with a discussion period following each presentation. The meeting was organized by the Flat-Plate Solar Array Project of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. These Proceedings are a record of the presentations and discussions, edited for clarity and continuity.

Dumas, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Low-Cost thin-layer silicon solar cells

Two methods have been found to lower cost of polycrystalline silicon solar cells. Successive layers of polycrystalline silicon are deposited over supporting substrates of relatively inexpensive metallurgical-grade polycrystalline silicon, graphite, or steel.

Chu, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Burst annealing of electron damage in silicon solar cells

A study has been performed of burst annealing of electron damage in silicon solar cells. Three groups of cells consisting of 3 and 0.3 ohm-cm silicon were exposed to fluences of 2 x 10 to the 14th power, 4 x 10 to the 14th power, and 8 x 10 to the 14th power 1-MeV electrons/sq cm, respectively. They were subsequently subjected to 1-minute bursts of annealing at 500 C. The 3 ohm-cm cells showed complete recovery from each fluence level. The 0.3 ohm-cm cells showed complete recovery from the 2 x 10 to the 14th power e/sq cm fluence; however, some of the 0.3 ohm-cm cells did not recover completely from the higher influences. From an analysis of the results it is concluded that burst annealing of moderate to high resistivity silicon cell arrays in space is feasible and that with more complete understanding, even the potentially higher efficiency low resistivity cells may be usable in annealable arrays in space.

Day, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thin silicon-solar cell fabrication

Flexible silicon slices of uniform thicknesses are fabricated by etching in sodium hydroxide solution. Maintaining uniform thickness across slices during process(fabrication) is important for cell strength and resistance to damage in handling. Slices formed by procedure have reproducible surface with fine orange peel texture, and are far superior to slices prepared by other methods.

Lindmayer, J.↗