The performance of thin industrial passivated emitter and rear contacts solar cells with homogeneous emitters

Abstract

With the continuous development of sawing technology for silicon wafers, the use of thin silicon wafers for solar cells has become an effective method to decrease the cost of industrial silicon solar cells. This study focused on the solar cells based on the concept of a structure with a homogeneous emitter and passivated rear surface (PERC solar cells). Fabricated using normal production equipment, the performance of PERC solar cells with thicknesses of 80, 100, 120, and 160 μm was compared, and the differences were discussed based on the measurements of optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. The highest efficiency was recorded for a solar-cell thickness of 120 μm. By optimizing the Al paste and firing condition, we obtained PERC solar cells with a thickness of 80 μm, and there has been about a 0.2% reduction in cell efficiency compared to cells with a thickness of 160 μm. Good tortuosity of thin silicon cell opens a wider range of applications.