Development of passivating edge shingle modules with right cut, new loss evaluation and liquid-based edge passivation strategy

Abstract

Shingle interconnected cells and high-performance silicon solar cells are the main technologies applied for the development of next-generation Photovoltaic (PV). Nonetheless, the assembly process of high-efficiency shingle configuration modules faces several problems. Such challenges encompass the processes of complete silicon cell separation, the proper assessment of the losses during cell separation, and the post-passivation treatment of newly formed edges in the shingle module. We conducted this study to address the aforementioned issues. I) Our findings revealed that the cutting during high-efficiency cell separation should be performed on the back surface field (BSF) side; II) Furthermore, we quantified the slice cutting loss by introducing a rational definition of the cell separation factor K and utilizing the Suns-VOC method; III) Additionally, we developed efficient shingle mini-modules and passivated the sub-cell edge of the modules. These measures resulted in a considerable increase in the output power of the PV module while effectively reducing cell-to-module (CTM) losses. Based on the concept of the “Liquid-based Edge Passivation Strategy (LEPS)”- developed in this work, using a four-sub-cell configuration shingle mini-module, we finally achieved the following increased parameter efficiency: +0.32% of abs, +15.1 mV of open circuit voltage, +0.76% of fill factor, and +7.8 mW of power gain. The results obtained in this research culminated in advancing the methods employed in assembling next-generation high-efficiency PV modules and striking maximum power output PV modules. Moreover, our present findings serve as a technical reference and open up new avenues for the potential photovoltaic industry transformation and upgrading.