Fabrication and characterization of thin silicon solar cells produced by in-line spray coating

Abstract

The present study addresses the metallization and characterization of thin (∼110 μm) crystalline silicon solar cells with a sprayed-on emitter prepared from orthophosphoric acid aqueous solutions and commercial spin-on dopants. The feasibility of such process especially for thin cells is analyzed, as well as the characteristics which derivate from the use of each precursor. The use of passivating and antireflective coatings on these devices has been essayed. The performance has been compared with that of cells prepared by an industrial process and featuring a traditional antireflective coating. Shunt resistance has been found to be the main limiting factor in order to increase cell efficiency, probably associated with microcracks due to the fragility of the cell. The characterization and the analytical model suggest that this method could produce cells exceeding 17% efficiency.