Two-dimensional minority carrier flow in high-efficiency silicon solar cells at short-circuit, open-circuit and maximum power point operating conditions

Abstract

Abstract Two-dimensional effects in bifacially-contacted n + pp + high-efficiency silicon solar cells arising from the spacing of the front metal fingers, the emitter sheet resistivity, and the shading of the front fingers are investigated with a state-of-the-art numerical semiconductor device simulator. The current flow pattern in the solar cells is examined for the three operating conditions short-circuit, open-circuit, and maximum power point, and the implications of the observed two-dimensional effects on the electrical output parameters are discussed.