The influence of base thickness on textured silicon solar cells' efficiency

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the thickness of textured silicon solar cells affects their efficiency, providing formulas to optimize base thickness considering surface recombination for improved photoconversion performance.

Contribution

It introduces expressions linking EQE dependence on absorption edge to base thickness, enabling optimal thickness calculation based on surface recombination velocity.

Findings

Optimal 100-μm base thickness with 3 cm/s surface recombination velocity.

Formulas for EQE dependence on absorption edge across 100-450 μm thickness.

Guidelines for maximizing photoconversion efficiency in textured silicon SCs.

Abstract

The transformation of the long-wavelength edge of the external quantum exit (EQE) formation mechanisms in textured silicon solar cells (SCs) is revealed, depending on their thickness. Expressions for experimental EQE dependences on the long-wavelength absorption edge are obtained for a wide range of base thicknesses (100-450 {\mu}m). The expressions allow optimal SC base thickness values calculation from the condition of maximal photoconversion efficiency taking into account surface recombination velocity. In particular, it was found that optimal 100-{\mu}m base thickness corresponds to the surface recombination velocity of about 3 cm/s.