The truncated-pyramid MIS inversion-layer solar cell: a comprehensive analysis

✍ Scribed by M. Grauvogl; R. Hezel

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 215 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1062-7995
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-159x(199801/02)6:1<15::aid-pip199>3.0.co;2-q

✦ Synopsis

Metal±insulator±semiconductor inversion-layer (MISIL) solar cells are of signi®cant interest because of their simple fabrication process. In this work a comprehensive analysis of the improved front surface design of truncated-pyramid MISIL silicon solar cells is presented. This analysis reveals the two most important eects that have led to an increase in the open-circuit voltage of more than 50 mV. Firstly, passivation of the non-grid area at the front surface is optimized to meet the special requirements of MISIL solar cells. Secondly, the MIS contact is investigated very thoroughly. This includes the recombination properties of the contact and the current transport via the MIS contact. The results of this investigation show that the contact area can be reduced without an increase in the series resistance of the MISIL solar cells and therefore the recombination losses at the metal contacts are reduced. As a result of these improvements, independently con®rmed 1-sun eciencies above 17% are achieved with truncated-pyramid MISIL solar cells.