This paper reports a substantially improved efficiency for a multicrystalline silicon solar cell of 19.8%. This is the highest ever reported efficiency for a multicrystalline silicon cell. The improved multicrystalline cell performance results from enshrouding cell surfaces in thermally grown oxide to reduce their detrimental electronic activity and from isotropic etching to form a hexagonally-symmetric honeycomb surface texture. This texture, largely of inverted hemispheres, reduces reflection loss and improves absorption of infrared light by effectively acting as a randomizer. Results of a ray tracing model are presented, with the notable finding that up to 90% of infrared light is trapped in the substrate after the first two passes, compared with only 65% for the well known inverted pyramid structure. These optical features are considered to contribute to an exceptionally high short-circuit current density of 38.1 niA/cm2. A further improvement is expected by using underetched wells for these honeycomb cells. © 1999 IEEE.
CITATION STYLE
Zhao, J., Wang, A., & Campbell, P. (1999). A 19.8% efficient honeycomb multicrystalline silicon solar cell with improved light trapping. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 46(10), 1978–1983. https://doi.org/10.1109/16.791985
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