Mechanisms limiting performance in polycrystalline silicon solar cells
Performance-limiting mechanisms in polycrystalline silicon were investigated by fabricating a matrix of 4cm/sup 2/ solar cells of various thicknesses from 10cm x 10cm polycrystalline silicon wafers of several bulk resistivities. The analysis of the results of this matrix indicates that bulk recombination is the dominant factor limiting the short-circuit current in large-grain (greater than 1 to 2 mm in diameter) polycrystalline silicon, the same mechanism that limits the short-circuit current in single-crystal silicon. The average open-circuit voltage of the polycrystalline cells is 30 to 70 mV lower than that of the single-crystal (control) cells; the fill-factor is comparable. Both open-circuit voltage and fill-factor have substantial scatter which is not related to thickness or resistivity. This implies that these parameters are sensitive to an additional mechanism which is probably spatial in nature since the cell position on the wafer was not controlled.
- Research Organization:
- Solarex Corp., Rockville, MD (USA); Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- NAS-7-100-955902
- OSTI ID:
- 7124341
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-830508-29; ON: DE84011687
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Process research on polycrystalline-silicon material (PROPSM). Quarterly report No. 8, October 1-December 31, 1982
Process research on polycrystalline silicon material. Final technical report
Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CRYSTALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EQUIPMENT
FILL FACTORS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYCRYSTALS
RECOMBINATION
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT