Material-induced shunts in multicrystalline silicon solar cells
- Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics (Germany)
- Q-Cells AG (Germany)
By applying lock-in thermography imaging, light-beam-induced current imaging, electron-beam-induced current imaging at different stages of sample preparation, and infrared light microscopy in transmission mode, the physical nature of the dominant material-induced shunts in multicrystalline solar cells made from p-type silicon material has been investigated. It turns out that these shunts are due to silicon carbide (SiC) filaments, which grow preferentially in grain boundaries and cross the whole cell. These filaments are highly n-type doped, like the emitter layer on the surface of the cells. They are electrically connected both with the emitter and with the back contact, thereby producing internal shunts in the solar cell.
- OSTI ID:
- 21088083
- Journal Information:
- Semiconductors, Vol. 41, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1134/S106378260704015X; Copyright (c) 2007 Nauka/Interperiodica; Article Copyright (c) 2007 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-7826
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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