Flexible silicon solar cells with high power-to-weight ratios

Yang Li, Xiaoning Ru, Miao Yang, Yuhe Zheng, Shi Yin, Chengjian Hong, Fuguo Peng, Minghao Qu, Chaowei Xue, Junxiong Lu, Liang Fang, Chao Su, Daifen Chen (), Junhua Xu (), Chao Yan (), Zhenguo Li (), Xixiang Xu () and Zongping Shao ()
Additional contact information
Yang Li: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Xiaoning Ru: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Miao Yang: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Yuhe Zheng: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Shi Yin: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Chengjian Hong: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Fuguo Peng: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Minghao Qu: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Chaowei Xue: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Junxiong Lu: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Liang Fang: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Chao Su: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Daifen Chen: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Junhua Xu: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Chao Yan: Jiangsu University of Science and Technology
Zhenguo Li: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Xixiang Xu: LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Zongping Shao: Curtin University

Nature, 2024, vol. 626, issue 7997, 105-110

Abstract: Abstract Silicon solar cells are a mainstay of commercialized photovoltaics, and further improving the power conversion efficiency of large-area and flexible cells remains an important research objective1,2. Here we report a combined approach to improving the power conversion efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells, while at the same time rendering them flexible. We use low-damage continuous-plasma chemical vapour deposition to prevent epitaxy, self-restoring nanocrystalline sowing and vertical growth to develop doped contacts, and contact-free laser transfer printing to deposit low-shading grid lines. High-performance cells of various thicknesses (55–130 μm) are fabricated, with certified efficiencies of 26.06% (57 μm), 26.19% (74 μm), 26.50% (84 μm), 26.56% (106 μm) and 26.81% (125 μm). The wafer thinning not only lowers the weight and cost, but also facilitates the charge migration and separation. It is found that the 57-μm flexible and thin solar cell shows the highest power-to-weight ratio (1.9 W g−1) and open-circuit voltage (761 mV) compared to the thick ones. All of the solar cells characterized have an area of 274.4 cm2, and the cell components ensure reliability in potential-induced degradation and light-induced degradation ageing tests. This technological progress provides a practical basis for the commercialization of flexible, lightweight, low-cost and highly efficient solar cells, and the ability to bend or roll up crystalline silicon solar cells for travel is anticipated.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06948-y

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