Monolithically Integrated Thin-Film Bypass Diodes

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Bypass diodes can increase resilience in PV modules because they provide alternative paths for the flow of electric current in a solar cell when the current creates too much heat. Diverting the heat prevents damage to the module. Today, bypass diodes must be added after cell fabrication as discrete components housed in a junction box. By carefully choosing growth and scribing order, it may be possible to fabricate thin-film PV modules with bypass diodes already housed within the module. This project will screen candidate architectures to create bypass diodes for thin-film PV that are compatible with current state-of-the-art manufacturing practices. The best candidates will serve as inputs for an electrical simulation to determine what is needed to integrate these diodes into modules. The experimental and simulated results will then be used as a part of a bottom-up cost model to determine their economic viability.