Thin-film polycrystalline silicon research. Final report, August 1983-August 1984

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6000257· OSTI ID:6000257

Anderson, W. A.

This report contains results of research conducted to explore high-efficiency Si solar cell design concepts primarily utilizing high-quality Si substrates, shallow junctions, and passivated surfaces. Computer-aided design was used to select substrate resistivity, implant energy and dose, and A/R coating design. Several possible grid metals were investigated, including magnesium, ytterbium, titanium, and chromium. Ytterbium gave the best results. Several grid designs were used. Textured surfaces were considered to increase short-circuit current density. Ion-implanted cells were furnace-annealed and rapid flash-lamp annealed; best results were obtained from furnace annealing. I-V-T tests revealed conduction mechanisms for excess currents, which led to improved preparation of solar cell edges and increased efficiency. Three designs, MINP, MNP-P, and MINP-P, were examined. The best implanted cell was the MINP design, with 18.5% AA efficiency and 15.6% TA efficiency. The best diffused cell gave 14.9% AA efficiency and 14.0% TA efficiency. Cl-containing I-layers exhibited improved efficiency, increased uv response, reduced surface state density, and better environmental stability.

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Buffalo (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6000257
• Report Number(s): SERI/STR-211-2558; ON: DE85002908
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
CRYSTALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL TESTING
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
ION IMPLANTATION
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYCRYSTALS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
THIN FILMS