Silicon heterojunction solar cell with interdigitated back contacts for a photoconversion efficiency over 26%

Kunta Yoshikawa (), Hayato Kawasaki, Wataru Yoshida, Toru Irie, Katsunori Konishi, Kunihiro Nakano, Toshihiko Uto, Daisuke Adachi, Masanori Kanematsu, Hisashi Uzu and Kenji Yamamoto
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Kunta Yoshikawa: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Hayato Kawasaki: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Wataru Yoshida: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Toru Irie: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Katsunori Konishi: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Kunihiro Nakano: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Toshihiko Uto: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Daisuke Adachi: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Masanori Kanematsu: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Hisashi Uzu: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation
Kenji Yamamoto: Photovoltaic & Thin Film Device Research Laboratories, Kaneka corporation

Nature Energy, 2017, vol. 2, issue 5, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Improving the photoconversion efficiency of silicon solar cells is crucial to further the deployment of renewable electricity. Essential device properties such as lifetime, series resistance and optical properties must be improved simultaneously to reduce recombination, resistive and optical losses. Here, we use industrially compatible processes to fabricate large-area silicon solar cells combining interdigitated back contacts and an amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon heterojunction. The photoconversion efficiency is over 26% with a 180.4 cm2 designated area, which is an improvement of 2.7% relative to the previous record efficiency of 25.6%. The cell was analysed to characterize lifetime, quantum efficiency, and series resistance, which are essential elements for conversion efficiency. Finally, a loss analysis pinpoints a path to approach the theoretical conversion efficiency limit of Si solar cells, 29.1%.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.32

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