Effective parameters of porous layer in silicon cells

TL;DR

This paper identifies the optimal porous silicon layer thickness as an anti-reflection coating in solar cells, demonstrating a 30% efficiency increase when the layer is about two-thirds of the electron diffusion length.

Contribution

It provides both theoretical and experimental evidence for the optimal porous layer thickness in silicon solar cells, enhancing their efficiency.

Findings

Optimal porous layer thickness is about 2/3 of electron diffusion length.

Efficiency increases by approximately 30% with optimal texturing.

Porous silicon surface was successfully fabricated via electrochemical etching.

Abstract

Theoretically and experimentally we have proved the existence of optimal thickness of the porous layer used as an anti-reflection coating in solar cells. We have taken into account the joint mechanisms of generation and recombination of electrons and holes stimulated by photons. The porous silicon surface has been obtained by electrochemical etching. Results of scanning electron microscopy, measuring short-circuit current, open circuit voltage, and etching time have shown that in case thickness of the porous layer is approximately 2/3 of electron diffusion length the solar cell efficiency increases by 30% in comparison with the corresponding value in the absence of texturing.