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A Semi-Transparent Solar Cell Using a-SiC

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Ken-Ichi Hanaki ,
Yutaka Hattori ,
Hideki Nakabayashi ,
Shunzo Yamaguchi  and
Yoshihiro Hamakawa
Ken-Ichi Hanaki
Affiliation:
R&D Dept. Nippondenso Co., Ltd. 1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi 448, Japan
Yutaka Hattori
Affiliation:
R&D Dept. Nippondenso Co., Ltd. 1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi 448, Japan
Hideki Nakabayashi
Affiliation:
R&D Dept. Nippondenso Co., Ltd. 1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi 448, Japan
Shunzo Yamaguchi
Affiliation:
R&D Dept. Nippondenso Co., Ltd. 1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya, Aichi 448, Japan
Yoshihiro Hamakawa
Affiliation:
Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560, Japan
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Abstract

A review is given of the fabrication technology and applications of a new type of semi-transparent solar cell having the structure p(a-SiC)-i(a- SiC)-n(μ-Si) heterojunction. A series of systematic investigations has been made on the effect of i-layer thickness and the optical energy gap on the photovoltaic performance of p(a-SiC)-i(a-SiC)-n(μ-Si) heterojunction solar cells. The results show that there is an optimum zone in the i-layer properties. For purposes of making cells with sufficient visible light transmission, we adopted an a-SiC active layer whose optical energy gap is in the range from 1.9 to 2.0 eV. In this case, a conversion efficiency of 6.3% with visible light transmittance of more than 25% has been obtained. The rate of light induced degradation has also been checked on this new type of solar cell. This newly developed semi-transparent solar cell, named “SOLAR GLASS,” might open new areas in a wide variety of applications for modern life such as home electronics, automobiles, medical electronics, etc. As an example, an automobile application is demonstrated and discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 149: Symposium E – Amorphous Silicon Technology - 1989 , 1989 , 395
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

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References

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