The tubular silicon solar cell - A new concept for photovoltaic power generation
Abstract
The application of tubular solar cells, mounted in a collector, to a simple photovoltaic-solar thermal energy system has been suggested. The EFG (edge-defined, film-fed growth) technique has been used to grow experimental cells having a 3/8 inch diameter at rates of up to 2.5 inches per minute to lengths of five feet. It was found that tubular growth is particularly adaptable to the EFG technique, eliminating problems previously associated with EFG ribbon growth such as the presence of SiC particles. The tubular cells are found to have a better crystal structure than silicon ribbons and very low leakage current. Although cell conversion efficiencies exceeded 7%, improvement in tubular chemical quality will be necessary to achieve the required 10% efficiency. It is also suggested that improved cell making processes will be needed to achieve low-cost manufacturing.
- Publication:
-
12th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976pvsp.conf..160M
- Keywords:
-
- Fabrication;
- Photovoltaic Conversion;
- Pipes (Tubes);
- Solar Cells;
- Clean Energy;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Energy Technology;
- Low Cost;
- Silicon;
- Substrates;
- Energy Production and Conversion