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Understanding and Advancing Bifacial Thin Film Solar Cells

Adam B. PhillipsWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United StatesKamala Khanal SubediWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United StatesGeethika K. LiyanageWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United StatesFadhil K. AlfadhiliWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United StatesRandy J. EllingsonWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United StatesMichael J. HebenWright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
2020en
ABI

Abstract

Because bifacial solar cells increase the power generated per area, their market share is projected to increase over the next decade. While silicon technologies have implemented bifacial technology, little progress has occurred in bifacial thin film (BTF) solar cells. Understanding the factors that limit performance is critical to advancing BTF cells. We show that recombination at the back interface has limited device performance of fabricated BTF devices. Improved BTF performance will require decreasing recombination at the back interface, through passivation or by reducing downward band-bending at this interface. Increasing carrier lifetimes improves performance, but increasing hole density has little effect.

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Cited by 30 references