Impact of an open crack on the output characteristics of a heterojunction solar cell

Authors : Amina Ennemri, Halima Mazouz, Ali Khouzam, Pierre-olivier Logerais

Pages : 95-104

View : 38 | Download : 49

Publication Date : 2023-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Photovoltaic modules experience various forms of degradation throughout their lifecycle, including during operation, transportation, installation and maintenance. Among common degradation modes, cracks are a significant factor contributing to the deterioration of photovoltaic panels. Indeed, the direct link between cracks and the efficiency loss of a photovoltaic module has not definitively been established to date. Therefore, the current study was focused on investigating the influence of the crack depth within a heterojunction solar cell using a finite element model. By conducting steady-state simulations of the PN junction, the study explored crack depths ranging from 0 to 5 µm. The results revealed a linear decrease in the short-circuit current with an increasing crack depth. Moreover, a substantial drop in the open-circuit voltage was observed for crack depths up to 0.25 µm. The overall efficiency of the solar cell was found to decrease markedly from 19.97% to 12.94% when the crack depth reached 5 µm. These findings highlight the importance of understanding and mitigating the impact of cracks on the performance of photovoltaic modules.
Keywords : PN junction, heterojunction solar cell HJ, open crack, modeling, output parameters