A simple technology to improve crystalline-silicon solar cell efficiency

The manufacturing of high-efficiency crystalline-silicon (c-Si) solar cells involves advanced technologies and sophisticated equipment not available in third-world country laboratories. This paper shows that conversion efficiencies in the 15-16% range can be achieved with a simple laboratory process. The main steps, which only require the use of analytic grade chemicals, are: (a) diffusion of a phosphorus-doped emitter layer on a textured surface; (b) deposition of narrow top metal contacts using a photolithography process; (c) Al alloyed back surface field, and (d) a chemically sprayed tin dioxide antireflective coating. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.