Topic 1 collects all presentations which deal with crystalline silicon up to cell level. Amorphous and microcrystalline silicon is also covered in subtopic 1.4. The whole spectrum of Si technology is divided into 6 subtopics, which address typical issues and fields of technology development, many of them dealt with on a corporate R&D level.
An exception is tandem structures combining other materials with silicon which are grouped together in subtopic 2.1.
Contributions which focus on Si module encapsulation and reliability, or electrical performance measurement technologies are better placed in subtopic 3.1.
1.1 Feedstock, Crystallisation, Wafering, Defect Engineering
Novel and advanced production technologies for silicon, ingots and wafers, solar-grade silicon properties and specifications, testing, performance, costs.
Influence of crystallisation parameters, impact of residual defects and impurities, and their mitigation.
This subtopic focuses on all the steps required for the production of high-quality silicon up to wafer stage ready for subsequent cell fabrication.
1.2 High Temperature Route for Si Cells
Solar cell architectures based on high temperature poly-Si based and classical high temperature approaches (PERX, IBC, etc.). Subtopics 1.2 and 1.3 are where research work on crystalline Si cells is presented, divided into two main themes, which employ either high temperature or low temperature processing routes.
This subtopic replaces a previous closely related one, which was titled 'Homojunction Solar Cells'. It includes technology development for these approaches.
1.3 Low Temperature Route for Si Cells
Solar cell architectures based on classical a-Si passivation schemes (e.g., HIT), as well as approaches relying on other low temperature passivation-based systems. Subtopics 1.2 and 1.3 are where research work on crystalline Si cells is presented, divided into two main themes, which employ either high temperature or low temperature processing routes.
This subtopic replaces a previous closely related one, which was titled 'Heterojunction Solar Cells'. It includes technology development for these approaches.
1.4 Thin Film and Foil-Based Si Cells
Amorphous and microcrystalline silicon, thin crystalline silicon, silicon foils (<20µm): theoretical studies, innovation in processing and manufacturing technologies, manufacturing up-scaling.
Although Topic 2 focuses mainly on crystalline silicon, this subtopic is the home for all work related to amorphous and microcrystalline silicon, thin crystalline silicon and silicon foils.
1.5 Characterisation & Simulation of Si Cells
Measurement and modelling of innovative Si cell concepts.
Characterisation and modelling of cells are of crucial importance in the development of innovative concepts and architectures. All such work should be submitted to this subtopic.
1.6 Manufacturing & Production of Si Cells
Novel or improved manufacturing solutions and strategies, automated production processes and systems; quality and reliability in production. Various contacts for Si solar cells - pastes, screen printing, plating, etc.
Improvements in manufacturing solutions for mass production are crucial in order to continue the drive towards lower costs, while maintaining high quality standards. New developments in manufacturing technologies should be submitted to this subtopic.