Supported by ARENA and ACAP, Xutao Wang and co-researchers at UNSW have developed a methodology using copper plating of the front side of a TOPCon cell that could improve their stability and lifetime of operation in hot, damp, or salty environments.
TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) solar cells are currently dominating the photovoltaic market due to their high efficiency and relatively low manufacturing costs. However, TOPCon cells face durability issues, especially corrosion in their metal contacts, when exposed to humid and hot conditions (damp-heat testing). This corrosion, worsened by contaminants like salt (NaCl), significantly reduces their performance over time.
To address this, UNSW researchers experimented with plating the TOPCon cells' front metal contacts with copper (Cu) instead of relying entirely on expensive silver (Ag). The Cu-plated cells performed better, showing less corrosion and maintaining efficiency during damp-heat tests compared to untreated cells. This process also reduced the use of silver, lowering costs without compromising performance.
This research has the potential to enhance the long-term reliability and affordability of solar power, contributing to global clean energy goals.
The work "Alleviating Contaminant-Induced Degradation of TOPCon Solar Cells with Copper Plating" was published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
Professor Bram Hoex said, "Our work addresses a pressing issue in the solar industry: the long-term stability of TOPCon solar cells under harsh environmental conditions. By introducing a copper-plating process, we significantly enhanced the durability and efficiency of these cells, mitigating degradation caused by contaminants like NaCl during damp-heat testing."
"This innovation aligns with our commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)."
🔑 Key Highlights:
✅ 80% less efficiency loss compared to un-plated cells after 6 hours of testing.
✅ Potential to reduce silver usage and material costs while maintaining performance.
✅ A step towards increasing the lifetime and sustainability of photovoltaic technologies.
The first author of this paper was Xutao Wang, supported by Chandany Sen, Xinyuan Wu, Atom Chang, Haoran Wang, Muhammad Umair Khan, and Bram Hoex.
The researchers thank the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), and the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics for their support.
Read the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024825000455?via%3Dihub
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