Title:
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An overview of MWT cells and evolution to the ASPIRE concept: a new integrated mc-Si cell and module design for high-efficiencies
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Author(s):
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Published by:
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Publication date:
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ECN
Solar Energy
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4-2-2008
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ECN report number:
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Document type:
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ECN-M--08-003
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Conference Paper
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Number of pages:
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Full text:
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6
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Download PDF
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Presented at: 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Valencia, Spain, 1-5 september 2008.
Abstract:
At ECN, we are developing several different cell concepts to reduce the €/Wp costs of crystalline silicon solar cells by increasing the efficiency on thin and large solar cells. Our metallization wrap through (MWT) concept PUM reduces the shading losses from the front side by 3%, which results in a gain in Jsc. Furthermore, the cells are fully back contacted and easy to implement in a module. Another way to improve efficiencies, especially on thin wafers, is to replace the full aluminum BSF at the rear side by a more appropriate passivating layer like silicon nitride in combination with partial rear metallization. In this paper we present the development at ECN from standard H-patterned cell processing towards a combination of the two concepts mentioned above: our rear side passivated PUM cell, the ASPIRe cell. The proof of concept of the ASPIRe cell will be given. Compared to PUM reference cells, ASPIRe cells have reached higher Jsc and Voc, although the FF still remained behind. The highest efficiency obtained so far for ASPIRe cells is 16.4%, and methods to improve the FF by changing the rear side Al pattern are shown.
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