Project description
Nanowires for increased solar cell efficiency
Textured solar cells used to reduce the reflection from the air–solar cell interface have been widely studied. There are several texturing patterns available as nanowires and pyramids. However, these regular patterns are at a certain level of frequency dependence and consequently of limited performance. A previous study suggested that absorption efficiency can be improved by at least 20 % by only optimising the shape and the periodicity of nanowires. The EU-funded SolArray project will introduce an innovative combination of the patterns (circular and non-circular nanowires), including air holes which increase solar cell efficiency. The project will deliver solar cells with higher efficiency and without increased fabrication cost, contributing also to the European Research Area agenda.
Objective
This proposed project directly address one of the priority areas outlines in EC's Green Deal programme.
The usage of textured solar cells to reduce the reflection from the air-solar cell interface, which ultimately enhances absorption, has been widely reported. There is a large number of texturing patterns available such as: pyramids, micropillars, nanowires, nanoholes, plasmonic, etc. The most commonly used patterns have been widely studied and have reached very high levels of optimisations. Nevertheless, these regular patterns have some degree of frequency dependence and hence only a narrow wavelength range optimisation, and thus limits the overall performance. Our preliminary study suggest that absorption efficiency can be further increased by at least 20%, by simply optimising the shape and periodicity of the nanowires. This proposal introduces an innovative combination of the patterns, both circular and noncircular nanowires, additionally including air-holes which increases the solar cell efficiency. Preliminary result also shows that by introducing an offset in the air-hole position, and thus breaking the symmetry, achieves an even higher conversion efficiency, but without increasing the fabrication cost, as simple single-stage mask can be used. By doing this, the improvement on the performance is expected to affect over the whole solar wavelength spectrum. Solar cells with a higher efficiency, but without increased fabrication cost can be a game changer, in supporting UN SDG7, affordable and clean energy.
Through hands-on research, the Researcher of this project will enhance his knowledge and skills so can contribute to the European Research Area agenda.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
EC1V 0HB LONDON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.