This review summarizes the recent and substantial developments of black silicon for use in solar cells and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of fabrication.
Black silicon is layered on the front surface, usually with another passivation layer. In a recent study by Savin et al., they have reported a record-breaking b-Si solar cell efficiency of 22.1% using an IBC configuration. Fig. 12 (b) shows the configuration of the solar cell used in their study.
Can black silicon solar cells be used for industrial production?
We demonstrate that efficiencies above 22% can be reached, even in thick interdigitated back-contacted cells, where carrier transport is very sensitive to front surface passivation. This means that the surface recombination issue has truly been solved and black silicon solar cells have real potential for industrial production.
How efficient are black silicon solar cells with interdigitated back-contacts?
"Black silicon solar cells with interdigitated back-contacts achieve 22.1% efficiency". Nature Nanotechnology. 10 (7): 624–628. Bibcode: 2015NatNa..10..624S. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2015.89. hdl: 2117/81173. PMID 25984832.
What is the power conversion efficiency of black silicon back-contacted solar cells?
A power conversion efficiency of 22% is achieved in black silicon back-contacted solar cells through passivation of the nanostructured surface by a conformal alumina layer.
Why is black silicon better than traditional solar cells?
Furthermore, black silicon is better at absorbing shorter wavelengths of light, which traditional technologies often struggle with. With the ability to capture more sunlight, these solar cells are able to achieve higher efficiency levels as they convert more light as the Sun moves across the sky.
One notable direction in the photovoltaics technology is the usage of black silicon (b-Si) for solar cells. Black-Si has textured surface, which can assist light trapping and improves efficiency of solar cells. Black-Si was first fabricated by Jansen et al. in 1995, and it exhibits a characteristic black surface colour.