Enhancing the efficiency of silicon solar cells using ZnO nanostructures prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Abstract

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were grown on interdigitated back contact silicon solar cells (IBC-SSCs) by using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The effect of these ZnO nanostructures grown by different precursor concentrations on the conversion efficiency of solar cells was investigated. The as-prepared ZnO products were analyzed by XRD, SEM, EDS, UV–vis, and PL, then were grown onto IBC-SSCs. The IBC-SSCs conversion efficiency without any ZnO nanostructure was 8.88%, and with a ZnO nanostructure, it reached 12.15%. which effectively enhances the conversion efficiency of IBC-SSCs.