LeTID-Affected Cells from a Utility-Scale Photovoltaic System Characterized by Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy

Research output: NRELPoster

Abstract

Photovoltaic modules from a utility-scale field experienced power loss by light- and elevated temperature-induced degradation (LeTID). Samples of one of the affected monocrystalline silicon cells were cored and extracted from the module packaging and encapsulation. One of the cell fragments was processed using a regeneration cycle of applying short-circuit-rated current in forward bias at 85 degrees C for 2 weeks, while the other fragment was kept in its outdoor-degraded LeTID state. Both samples were scribed to form 2-mm diameter isolated areas using a femtosecond-pulse-width laser micromachining system. Both isolated areas contained front grid line segments which were wire bonded to larger contact pads, and the samples were probed in a cryostat linked to a deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) system. Using DLTS, a majority-carrier, hole-trap defect was detected on each sample with an activation energy of 0.42 eV. The LeTID-degraded sample, however, had a larger signal corresponding to a trap density of 1.1x10^13 cm-3, which was about five times larger than the 2.1x10^12 cm-3 trap density of the regenerated sample.
Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - 2022

Publication series

NamePresented at the 48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 48), 20-25 June 2021

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PO-5K00-80226

Keywords

  • charge carrier lifetime
  • degradation
  • laser ablation
  • photovoltaic cells
  • semiconductor impurities
  • solar panels

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