Analysis of the recombination mechanisms in silicon solar cells with the record 26.6% photoconversion efficiency

The performance of high-efficiency textured silicon solar cells is modelled within the thin-base approximation. In addition to the standard recombination mechanisms (Shockley-Read-Hall, radiative, and Auger), our approach includes the trap-assisted exciton Auger recombination and the space charge region recombination. A simple phenomenological expression is used for the photocurrent external quantum efficiency in the long-wavelength part of the absorption spectrum. The key parameters of textured silicon solar cells, such as short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and photoconversion efficiency, are determined theoretically. They are in good agreement with the experimental results obtained for the heterojunction solar cells with the record efficiency of 26.6% produced by Yoshikawa et al. (2017). The theoretical optimal doping level and base thickness of these solar cells are found to be quite close to the experimental ones.

Automated summary

The performance of high-efficiency textured silicon solar cells is modeled with various recombination mechanisms considered, and key parameters are theoretically determined. The results are in good agreement with experimental results from heterojunction solar cells with record efficiency.