Investigations of CoO-ATO coatings for silicon solar cells

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate how cobalt oxide doped coatings in the form of thin films could affect the electrical response of silicon (Si) solar cells. Spin coated thin films consisting of a polymeric solution of cobalt oxide-antimony doped tin oxide (CoO-ATO) were used as coatings on 3" × 6" Si solar cells. Based on the spectral response of CoO-ATO, it is hypothesized that coatings of this material onto a solar cell can help improve the performance of the cell. CoO-ATO thin films are coated onto a Si solar cell to synthesize a potential mat for the solar cell to filter out infrared light, thus improving the effectiveness and performance of the solar cell since it would primarily be absorbing visible light rather than infrared. CoO-ATO has been shown to be effective in the range of 3000 nm to 5000 nm. Obtained results show that 16% by wt of cobalt oxide and 94% by wt of antimony doped tin oxide produced maximum wattage.