Study of the Metastability of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells and Stabilization Strategies

Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-26-0441  

Thesis topic details

Category

Technological challenges

Thesis topics

Study of the Metastability of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells and Stabilization Strategies

Contract

Thèse

Job description

Silicon-based photovoltaic cells, particularly silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), achieve efficiencies exceeding 25%. However, these architectures exhibit intrinsic metastability, such as Staebler-Wronski degradation, which can lead to efficiency losses during storage between fabrication and module assembly. In the context of globalized supply chains, these instabilities represent an economic and technical risk that is not yet well quantified. This thesis aims to address the following questions: what is the quantitative impact of instability on the efficiency of high-efficiency cells during prolonged storage? What are the physical mechanisms responsible for this degradation? What technological strategies can reduce or eliminate this instability? What are the industrial implications for module logistics? To achieve this, a rigorous experimental protocol will be implemented to monitor the electrical performance of cells over several months under varying storage conditions (atmosphere, temperature, humidity). Test structures and advanced characterizations (FTIR, Raman, Silvaco TCAD) will be used to understand the underlying physical phenomena. Process optimization, introduction of new materials, and improved packaging will be explored to stabilize the cells. Practical recommendations for the industry, regarding maximum storage durations and optimal storage conditions, will also be established. The goal is to develop technological and logistical solutions to minimize efficiency losses in SHJ cells, optimize supply chains, and reduce associated economic risks.

University / doctoral school

Sciences, Ingénierie, Santé (EDSIS)
Saint-Etienne

Thesis topic location

Site

Grenoble

Requester

Position start date

01/10/2026

Person to be contacted by the applicant

VARACHE Renaud renaud.varache@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DTS//LPH
50 avenue du lac léman, 73375 Le Bourget-du-lac
04 79 79 28 73

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

Darnon Maxime
Université Saint-Etienne - CNRS
UMR Laboratoir Hubert Curien
Laboratoire Hubert Curien, UMR CNRS 5516,
Bâtiment F 18 Rue du Professeur Benoît Lauras
42000 Saint-Etienne
FRANCE
04 77 91 57 97

En savoir plus