Impact of Graphene Monolayer on the Performance of Non-Conventional Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells with MoOx Hole-Selective Contact

Abstract

In this work, a new design of transparent conductive electrode based on a graphene

monolayer is evaluated. This hybrid electrode is incorporated into non-standard, high-efficiency

crystalline silicon solar cells, where the conventional emitter is replaced by a MoOx selective contact.

The device characterization reveals a clear electrical improvement when the graphene monolayer

is placed as part of the electrode. The current–voltage characteristic of the solar cell with graphene

shows an improved FF and Voc provided by the front electrode modification. Improved conductance

values up to 5.5 mS are achieved for the graphene-based electrode, in comparison with 3 mS for

bare ITO. In addition, the device efficiency improves by around 1.6% when graphene is incorporated

on top. These results so far open the possibility of noticeably improving the contact technology of

non-conventional photovoltaic technologies and further enhancing their performance.