Work

Improving Voltage Efficiency of Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells via Temperature-Reducing Thin Films

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: It is well established that solar cells convert solar energy into electrical energy, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. In the present study, thin films composed of different materials were employed with the aim of mitigating efficiency losses in polycrystalline solar cells, which operate at a specific output voltage of 0.5 V. To evaluate the performance of these films, solar irradiation tests were conducted in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, during periods that accounted for both seasonal and diurnal variations in solar irradiance. The experiments were carried out during peak solar hours, a time frame that represents the conditions of highest thermal stress and irradiance intensity and is therefore relevant for analyzing heat-related efficiency losses. The thin films investigated included silver nanoparticles, copper sulfide, potassium permanganate, zinc sulfide, and lead sulfide. An improvement of 0.5% in open circuit voltage gain was achieved, corresponding to a temperature difference of 13.5 °C between the hottest and coolest cells. Notably, the cells that exhibited efficiency enhancement were those incorporating silver nanoparticles and potassium permanganate, with varying deposition times in the chemical bath. Among these, the latter demonstrated superior performance (KMnO4 performed best). So, the objective of this experimental work was to assess the effect of various thin film coatings on the performance of polycrystalline silicon solar cells under natural sunlight.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18236345

Authors: Jesús Manuel Gutierrez-Villarreal, Ian M. Sosa-Tinoco, Mario Francisco Suzuki Valenzuela, Horacio Antolin Pineda-León, Sayra Guadalupe Ruvalcaba-Manzo

Institutions: Sonora Institute of Technology, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Cajeme, Universidad de Sonora

Language: English

Topic: Silicon and Solar Cell Technologies

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137