Carrier-selective contacts (CSCs) solar cells are considerably attractive on highly efficient crystalline silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells due to their advantages of high thermal tolerance and the simple fabrication process. CSCs solar cells require a hole selective contact (HSC) layer that selectively collects only holes. In order to selectively collect holes, it must have a work function characteristic of 5.0 eV or more when contacted with n-type Si. The VO_x, NiO_x, and CuI_x thin films were fabricated and analyzed respectively to confirm their potential usage as a hole-selective contact (HSC) layer. All thin films showed characteristics of band-gap engergy > 3.0 eV, work function > 5.0 eV and minority carrier lifetime > 1.5 ms.

In heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cells, low-temperature curing paste is used because the passivation layer deteriorates at high temperatures of 200℃ or higher. However, manufacturing HJT photovoltaic (PV) modules is challenging due to the weak peel strength between busbar electrodes and cells after soldering process. For this issue, the electrode thicknesses of the busbars of the HJT solar cell were analyzed, and the peel strengths between electrodes and wires were measured after soldering using an infrared (IR) lamp. As a result, the electrodes printed by the screen printing method had a difference in thickness due to screen mask. Also, as the thickness of the electrode increased, the peel strength of the wire increased.

Expanding the supply of BIPV is crucial to strengthening the competitiveness of the photovoltaic industry and achieving Nationally Determined Contributions through the zero-energy building mandatory policy. BIPV is a technology that integrates into the building envelope to generate electricity and provide functions as a building material. It is suitable for domestic environments with many high-rise buildings due to the narrow land area and urbanization. To expand the supply of BIPV, economics, safety, and aesthetics must be ensured. In this study, a color BIPV module with a color PET film applied as a front material was manufactured for aesthetic and economic feasibility. The relationship between power output and transmittance according to color was analyzed. By analyzing the power output of the module and the transmittance of the film, the wavelength band (transmittance reduction band) that has the greatest effect on efficiency was analyzed regarding the color of the film. The red film showed the narrowest transmittance reduction band and the lowest degree of decrease in transmittance, making it ideal for minimizing the efficiency decrease rate compared to existing ones.

Recently, requirements for improving the convenience of constructing BIPV (Building Integrated Photo Voltaic) modules had increased. To solve this problem, we fabricated shingled PV modules integrated with bent steel plates for building integrated photovoltaics. These PV modules could be constructed directly on the roof without the installation structure. We found optimal lamination conditions with supporting structures to fabricate a module on a bent steel plate. Moreover, we applied a shingled design to PV modules integrated with bent steel plates to achieve a high electrical output power. The shingled module with bent steel plates shows 142.80 W of solar-to-power conversion in 0.785 m² area.

The expanding significance of energy storage (ES) technology is increasing the acceptability of power systems by augmenting renewable energy supply. To deploy such ES technologies, we must select the optimal technology that meets the requirements of the system and confirm the technical and economic feasibility of the business model based on it. Herein, we propose a method and tool for selecting the optimal ES technology and service suitable for meeting the requirements of the system, based on its performance characteristics. The method described in this study can be used to discover and apply various ES technologies and develop business models with excellent economic feasibility.