Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
Description of field of research:
The ongoing success of polysilicon on oxide as a contact for silicon solar cells in achieving high efficiency relies on its excellent passivation properties coupled with its application on the back of solar cells. However, due to its parasitic absorption and lack of flexibility in terms of optical properties, polysilicon contacts have poor optical performance which limits its application on the front side of the solar cells. This project aims to develop approaches to reduce the parasitic absorption from poly-Si layer.
School
Research areas
Poly-Si/SiOx passivated contacts | Passivation | Optical and electrical studies
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Our team
- References
UNSW-SPREE hosts the largest, most successful University-based PV research group in Australia and internationally, already having major impact upon mainstream cell technology (PERC cells, "advanced hydrogenation", pioneering laser-based cell processing, also tunnelling contacts, including "TOPCon"). Graduates created remarkable representation/contacts within the manufacturing industry (employing >300 graduates of UNSW's "world-first" undergraduate PV program). For this project, highly specialised processing, characterisation and modeling tools are accessible at SPREE and the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre. Moreover, conducting this research at UNSW SPREE will also provide the students with a supportive environment and access to world-leading experts in the field.
- Students will get high-quality training and research capability development;
- Passivated contacts with reduced parasitic absorption and good passivation will be developed;
- Optical and electrical study on the poly-Si passivated contacts.
