Implementation of a Homogenous High-Sheet-Resistance Emitter in Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Abstract

Solar cell efficiency enhancement resulting from the implementation of a high-sheet-resistance emitter (95 Ω/sq.) in multicrystalline silicon solar cells with screenprinted contacts is demonstrated in this paper. Solar cells on low-cost String Ribbon Si from Evergreen Solar, Baysix mc-Si from Deutsche Solar, and high-quality float zone silicon with 45 Ω/sq. and 95 Ω/sq. phosphorus-doped n+- emitters are fabricated with RTP-fired screen-printed contacts and characterized to asses the impact of a highemitter-sheet resistance emitter on cell performance. Screen-printed mc-Si solar cells show an improvement in Voc of 4-5 mV in most cases that is attributed to the use of the high-sheet-resistance emitter. An appreciable increase in Jsc by as much as 1.0 mA/cm(2) is also observed due to enhanced blue response identified by internal quantum efficiency measurement.