Exceptional demand characterized the PV industry in 2010. Uncertainty regarding incentive schemes in a number of key markets drove global installations, and inverter shipments grew by over 160% as investors and developers rushed to complete projects, fearing that incentives would be reduced or removed altogether. IMS Research estimates that inverter shipments exceeded 20GW in 2010 and sales of small three-phase inverters, rated between 10-20kW, grew by around 200% in 2010. Inverters rated at over 500kW are estimated to have grown at a similar rate, but continue to represent a smaller share of revenues.
This paper presents the Q-Cells research line (RL) as a core of the Reiner Lemoine Research Centre, including the technical set-up, the organization of the operation and current results of cell concepts processed in the RL on a regular basis. Trends of cell parameters for those processes are shown, and a focus is presented regarding the results of our high-efficiency cell concepts for multi- and monocyrstalline material processed in the RL with stabilized record efficiencies of 18.4% and 19.2%, respectively. In addition, we discuss the process flow and the results of a monitoring procedure that is used to check the rear-side passivation quality of the company’s equipment. Results of our current passivation stack show a surface recombination velocity of below Srear < 10cm/s, well suited to fabricating p-type Si solar cells with efficiencies above 20%.
The behaviour of PV markets over the last decade in Europe has taught us that not only it is necessary to optimally design support schemes, but that priority access to the grid for renewable energy sources and the reduction of administrative barriers are the key market drivers for sustainable development and essential for the markets to sustainably develop in the long term. This paper provides an overview of Europe’s PV market performance and delivers policy recommendations by means of EPIA’s PV Observatory model.
Processing silicon substrates for PV applications involves texturing, cleaning and/or etching wafer surfaces with chemical solutions. Depending on the cleanliness of the industrial equipment and the purity of the chemical solutions, surface contamination with metals or organic residues is possible [1]. The presence of trace contamination at PV junctions leads to both mid-level traps and photonic defects, which ultimately cause reduced efficiency and rapid cell degradation. Metallic impurities have a greater impact on PV cell lifetime due to their deeper energy levels in the silicon band gap [2]. On the other hand, non-metallic impurities may modify the electrical activity of PV cells because these species involve complex interactions with the host silicon lattice and its structural defects. In other words, very small amounts of contamination can result in poor PV efficiency. This paper presents an overview of the effects of adding a biodegradable complexing agent in cleaning and rinsing baths to minimize surface contamination and thereby enhance solar cell efficiency.
After the encapsulation step, a c-Si solar module’s output is usually decreased, in comparison to its cells’ power, which is referred to as ‘power loss’. This paper focuses on the various factors that can impact power loss of solar modules, such as solar cell classification, encapsulation material, match of solar cells, the encapsulation process used, and so on. The conclusion indicates that power loss in solar modules can be significantly decreased with a resulting increment of a module’s output by appropriately optimizing those factors.
Solar enterprises will each be faced with the occasional surplus or lack of solar modules in their lifetimes. In these instances, it is useful to adjust these stock levels at short notice, thus creating a spot market. Spot markets serve the short-term trade of different products, where the seller is able to permanently or temporarily offset surplus, while buyers are able to access attractive offers on surplus stocks and supplement existing supplyarrangements as a last resort.
This paper reviews the status of solar cell technology based on n-type crystalline silicon wafers. It aims to explain the reasons behind the strong and increasing attention for n-type cells, including the inherent advantages of n-type base doping for high diffusion length, and for the industrialization of designs with good rear-side electronic and optical properties. The focus will be on cells using diffused junctions.
Since the 1980s, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) has been the standard encapsulation material for crystalline photovoltaic modules. From a mechanical point of view, the encapsulant takes the function of a compliant buffer layer surrounding the solar cells. Therefore, understanding its complex mechanical properties is essential for a robust module design that withstands thermal and mechanical loads. In the cured state after lamination, its stiffness features a high sensitivity to temperature especially in the glass transition region around -35°C, and a dependence on time which becomes obvious in relaxation and creep behaviour. This paper outlines the viscoelastic properties of EVA and the corresponding standard experimental methods, as well as the impact on the accuracy of wind and snow load test procedures for PV modules.
When Stion started looking for sites to establish its first volume production plant, Mississippi was not even on its radar. After vetting some “100 different opportunities, state and local flavors and locations,” the San Jose-based thin-film PV module company had “narrowed the list down to a half-dozen or so pretty quickly,” including Texas, Virginia, Michigan, and California, according to CEO Chet Farris.
With more than 80% of PV module demand being satisfied by crystalline-based modules, the health of the silicon and wafer supply chain is of vital importance to the overall PV industry. This paper reviews the overall materials value chain from the manufacture of PV silicon to the wafer, prepared for manufacture of the cell. A glimpse is provided of the various market dynamics that exist in the supply chain, as well as the technology trends that influence or threaten the supply of wafers. Although the manufacturing routes are mature and well established, we also take a look at the possibility of novel and disruptive technologies altering the overall supply landscape.
