Photovoltaics

Optimization of artistic contact patterns on polycrystalline Silicon solar cells

M. Radike, J. Summhammer
Atominstitut der Österreichischen Universitäten, Stadion Allee 2, A-1020 Wien, Austria
Tel: +43-1-72701-214, FAX: +43-1-7289220, Email: mradike@ati87.ati.ac.at or summhammer@ati.ac.at

A. Breymesser, V. Schlosser
Institut für Materialphysik, Universität Wien, Boltzmanngasse 9, 1090 Wien, Austria

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ABSTRACT:

The acceptance of photovoltaic modules in highly visible places like walls and roofs of buildings, or for small scale village use, is in a large part determined by nontechnical aspects, most of all by the visual appeal. The design of the surface of cells and modules must therefore meet two optimization criteria: High energetic output and attractive appearance. As the bus bars of the front collection grid are often visually annoying, we have tried to convert them into an asset by incorporating artistic shapes into them. Ten different designs have been analysed and screen printed onto 103 x 103mm² multicrystalline Si solar cells. For a 15% efficient cell with standard H-pattern we have found that it would at worst be reduced to an efficiency of 14.5% when equipped with one of our artistic bus bar designs.

Keywords: Multi-Crystalline-1: Busbars-2: Building integration-3