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Spatially resolved characterization of optical and recombination losses for different industrial silicon solar cell architectures

Journal Article · · International Journal of Modern Physics B
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [3];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States). CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics; Univ. of Central Florida, Cocoa, FL (United States). Florida Solar Energy Center; University of Central Florida
  2. Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States). CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics; Univ. of Central Florida, Cocoa, FL (United States). Florida Solar Energy Center
  3. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). SDLE Research Center
  4. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)
  5. Canadian Solar, Inc. Guelph, ON (Canada)

In this work, spatially resolved characterization methods are used to identify loss mechanisms for common p -type silicon solar cell architectures, including multicrystalline aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF), monocrystalline Al-BSF, monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC), and bifacial monocrystalline PERC. The characterization methods used in this work include suns-VOC, photoluminescence imaging, and spatially resolved external quantum efficiency and reflectance measurements. The optical and recombination losses are driven by the material properties, cell processing conditions, and device architecture. These losses are quantified and categorized in terms of underlying mechanisms (e.g., front reflectance, escape reflectance, front recombination, and parasitic optical absorption and recombination in the bulk and rear). The ability to create images of these loss parameters can be used to gain more insight into the materials and manufacturing processes used to produce solar cells, and examples are given in this work to illustrate how these images can help reveal the origin of defects.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0008172
OSTI ID:
1661175
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1845845
Journal Information:
International Journal of Modern Physics B, Journal Name: International Journal of Modern Physics B Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 34; ISSN 0217-9792
Publisher:
World ScientificCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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