A Novel Argon based magnetron Sputtering for Improving Energy Efficiency in Solar Cells

Renewable sources of energy are most researched fields in recent times due to rapid decline in availability of fossil fuels. Recent research is aimed to improve the output of solar cells in terms of electrical efficiency. This has been achieved through several methods out of which alteration of physical, electrical and optical properties of solar cells is found to be a novel strategy in recent times with the advent of nano-technology coupled with deposition techniques. A magnetron sputtering process coupled with RF field has been implemented in this research article to deposit Cu, Al and Ag onto the surface of solar cell under controlled process parameters. NO2 has been used as inert gas among argon to cause ion bombardment of the substrate surface and depositing a thin film with optimal process control parameters fixed at 45W power, 5 – 7 minutes of deposition time. The quality of surface deposition has been analyzed with UV spectroscopy, stylus Profilometer and SEM images. The deposited substrate has been tested in real time and the power efficiency computed at 16.44% compared to non-coated solar cells recorded at 14% indicating the superiority of the proposed work. Magnetron sputtering for coating of solar cells provides a cost effective yet efficient method of improving the efficiency of solar cells for power generation.