Geometry Optimization of Top Metallic Contacts in a Solar Cell Using the Constructal Design Method

Jorge A. Ojeda, Sarah Messina, Erik E. Vázquez and Federico Méndez
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Jorge A. Ojeda: Facultad de Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad de Colima, Km. 9 Ctra. Colima-Coquimatlán, Coquimatlán 28400, Colima, Mexico
Sarah Messina: Unidad Académica de Ciencias Básicas e Ingenierías, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Cd. de la Cultura S/N, Tepic 63000, Nayarit, Mexico
Erik E. Vázquez: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad de Colima, Km. 9 Ctra. Colima-Coquimatlán, Coquimatlán 28400, Colima, Mexico
Federico Méndez: Departamento de Termofluidos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, CDMX 04510, Mexico

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Sunlight is a natural resource that can be harnessed by the photovoltaic conversion of sunlight into electricity-utilizing solar cells. The production of most common solar cells consists of a homojunction of a p-type and n-type silicon. The p—n junction is realized by the diffusion of impurities through one surface of the wafer. Silicon wafers have a typical dimension of 156 × 156 mm 2 and a thickness of 0.15–0.2 mm. Groups of 50–100 solar cells are electrically connected and encapsulated to form a module. The required area for interconnection does not contribute to power generation, and the performance of larger area devices usually suffers from higher resistive losses. In the present work, a theoretical model of the geometric arrangement of the top contact metallic electrodes branched network in a photovoltaic cell is developed. The network structure of the electrodes is obtained from applying the constructal design methodology by the minimization of the overall resistance. As a result, the optimal lengths and geometrical relationships of an electrode branching network with a branching angle are determined. A geometric distribution of the electrode network on the solar cell analyzed by the total resistance of every level of branching is defined. The top metallic contact network presents a tree-shaped geometric arrangement with the main objective of covering a generation area for an enhanced collection of the generated electrical current. The theoretical results obtained are expressed as the total voltage of the arrangement and the lengths of the branched electrode network.

Keywords: solar cell; metallic contact; constructal design; structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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