Improving Solar Cell Performance Testing
- $381k Funded by ARENA
- $926k Total project cost
Summary
The Improving Solar Cell Performance Testing project investigated factors that can deteriorate solar cell performance, using an innovative measurement system in combination with advanced simulation tools.
Need
Increasing the amount of energy that a photovoltaic (PV) solar cell can transform from sunlight to energy(known as its efficiency) can reduce the cost of solar power. Improved efficiency requires the identification and quantification of the ways solar cells lose energy. The development of innovative analysis methods would improve understanding and identification of these loss mechanisms.
Project innovation
The Improving Solar Cell Performance Testing project investigated factors that can deteriorate solar cell performance, using an innovative measurement system in combination with advanced simulation tools.
It aimed to overcome the present limitations of measurement systems, especially those related to measurements under low illumination, at elevated temperatures and of metallised samples.
The project was based on a new approach that combines a set of measurements at various conditions (mainly temperature and illumination) with powerful algorithms and simulation tools.
Learn more
Report: Advanced Recombination-Based Loss Analysis Methods for Silicon Wafer and Silicon Solar Cells
The aim of this research project was to develop a novel effective lifetime measurement system to investigate recombination processes, mainly in the silicon bulk, at wafer surfaces and at silicon-metal interfaces, over a wide range of temperatures.
Media Release: ARENA Supporting Bright Ideas in Solar R&D
The Australian Government today announced $21.5 million funding for 12 cutting edge R&D projects that will keep Australia at the forefront of solar research.
Benefit
The developed system is considered one of the best systems in the world and it has been heavily used by Australian researchers, but also by international visitors (from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Arizona State University and the University of Agder), to investigate defects in silicon. The knowledge gained during the project led to development of other novel characterisation methods for photovoltaic modules and for a new type of solar cells (perovskite-based).
