A new generation of crystalline silicon solar cells: Simple processing and record efficiencies for industrial-size devices

In contrast to the general opinion that very high efficiencies can only be obtained using complex processing, with the novel technologically simple and environmentally sound obliquely evaporated contact (OECO) type solar cell efficiencies exceeding 21% could be obtained without applying masks or photolithography. Two different approaches of OECO cells using MIS contacts and exclusively Al as metallization are discussed: (i) with a diffused n(+)-emitter (MIS-n(+) p) and (ii) with an inversion layer emitter (MIS-IL). The most important results particularly for industrial production are efficiencies of 19% and 20% for simply to fabricate 10 x 10cm(2) OECO cells on commercial CZ-Si and FZ-Si, respectively. These are the highest efficiencies ever reported for solar cells of industrial size. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.