The degradation of multi-crystalline silicon solar cells after damp heat tests

Wonwook Oh, Seongtak Kim, Soohyun Bae, Nochang Park, Yoon Mook Kang, Hae Seok Lee, Donghwan Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lower performance of multi-crystalline silicon solar cells is usually observed after long-term damp heat test at 85 °C/85% relative humidity. Performance degradation is known to result from the loss in fill factor (FF) due to high series resistance. The causes of the increase in the series resistance are the reduction of the photovoltaic (PV) ribbon in the solder joint and the oxidation of surface on the front Ag finger by high thermal and moisture stress. Additionally, severe degradation by FF loss after damp heat originated from the contact resistance between Si and Ag fingers. Ag crystallites on Si wafer and bulk Ag at the edge of the Ag finger were partially oxidized and could not play a role in the current path of photo-generated electrons.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2176-2179
Number of pages4
JournalMicroelectronics Reliability
Volume54
Issue number9-10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Sept 1

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Human Resources Development program (No. 20124030200120 ) of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy . This work was supported by the New & Renewable Energy (No. 20123030010080 ) of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Contact resistance
  • Corrosion
  • Damp heat test
  • Degradation
  • Photovoltaic module

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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