Solar PV technology trends: moving towards thinner solar cells

The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry has been evolving rapidly, with advancements in technology that are pushing the boundaries of solar cell efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. One of the latest trends in the PV technology space is the use of thinner solar cells. In this article, we will explore the drivers, benefits, and potential risks associated with thinner solar cells, as well as summarizing the benefits in a table using the NREL report as a reference.

Drivers & Benefits of Thinner Solar Cells

Reduced Material Input: Thinner solar cells require less material input in their manufacturing, reducing the overall cost of production. This reduction in material input can be a significant cost-saving for PV manufacturers.

Cost Savings: Reduced material input and an increase in efficiency can lead to cost savings, making solar energy a more cost-effective alternative to traditional sources of energy.

New Advanced Cell Technologies: Thinner wafers can achieve higher efficiency potential when paired with n-type technologies such as SHJ and TOPCon. These advanced cell technologies can lead to greater efficiency in the production of solar cells.

Potential Risks of Thinner Solar Cells

Potentially Reduced Cell Yield on Production Line: Handling thin cells is complex and can break before lamination, which can potentially reduce the cell yield on the production line.

New Manufacturing Processes Need to be Adopted: The adoption of new manufacturing processes is necessary for producing thinner solar cells. This can lead to complications and delays in production.

Cell Cracking Risk After Lamination: The risk of cell cracking after lamination is not inherently higher than for thick cells, but it depends on several factors such as stress localization around interconnect technologies, the stress state and effective area of the cell under tension, packaging technology (glass-glass vs. glass-backsheet), edge-damage caused by the cutting process, and residual stresses caused by the firing of the metallization.

Adaptation of Thinner Cells Has Been Slower Than Predicted: The adoption of thinner cells has been slower than predicted, likely due to the complications in the packaging process.

Benefits of Thinner Solar Cells

The use of thinner solar cells has several benefits, including:

• Higher Efficiency Potential: Thinner cells can achieve higher efficiency potential when paired with advanced cell technologies such as SHJ and TOPCon.

• Cost Savings: Reduced material input and an increase in efficiency can lead to cost savings, making solar energy a more cost-effective alternative to traditional sources of energy.

• Reduced Environmental Impact: The use of thinner solar cells reduces the environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing by reducing the amount of material needed and the energy required to produce the cells.

• Higher Power Density: Thinner solar cells can achieve higher power density, enabling greater power output in a smaller area.

Conclusion

Thinner solar cells are a promising technology trend in the PV industry, offering a range of benefits such as higher efficiency potential, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact. However, there are also potential risks associated with the adoption of this technology, such as reduced cell yield and complications in the packaging process. The benefits of thinner solar cells make them an attractive option for PV manufacturers, and as the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see an increasing use of this technology in solar panel production.

Benefits of Thinner Solar Cells