Research on Silicon Solar Cells at the Atominstitut
  •  Grain boundary effects in multicrystalline silicon
  •  Front side fingers as grid along grain boundaries
           We find a REAL EFFICIENY IMPROVEMENT
 
About 90 multicrystalline silicon wafers of size 100x100 mm² were taken in adjacent triples of the original ingot and produced into cells as shown below. The first cell of each triple got a standard H-pattern as front metal grid, the second one a grid that followed largely the grain boundaries, and the third one got the same grid but rotated by 90°, so that it hardly ran over grain boundaries. The grid was applied by automated writing of screen printing paste. Averaged power outputs under standard conditions are shown below the cells, where the power output of the cells with standard H-pattern was defined as 100%.
(Work supported by Austrian Science Foundation (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Projects P14432 and P16055.)
RECENT RESULTS . . .
stans.jpg: mc-Si solar cell with standard front contacts ons.jpg: mc-Si solar cell with front contacts along grain boundaries offs.jpg: mc Si solar cell with front grid NOT on grain boundaries
1. Standard H-pattern 2. Finger grid mostly along grain boundaries ("on-grid") 3. Same finger grid as 2, but rotated 90° ("off-grid")
Max. power (defined): 100 Max. power: 103.4 Max. power: 99.4

 
 
  • Busbars as design elements for building integration of photovoltaic modules.
Engineer's dream. Cool and technical. Architect's dream. Aesthetic design.
Standard type of photovoltaic module currently used for roof and facade integration in buildings. 36 cells. Size: 80 x 80 cm². New type of photovoltaic module. The busbars have artistic shape. Facades and roofs will look more interesting. Power output is virtually the same as that of the standard module on the left. 36 cells. Size 80 x 80 cm².

Such modules will soon be available from the company POWERQUANT. 

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8.Aug.2003 J.Summhammer