Characterization of laser carved micro channel polycrystalline silicon solar cell

In this study the efficiency of polycrystalline silicon solar cells was increased carving micro channel structures using a laser. In research to date, micro channel structures on the surface of polycrystalline silicon solar cells have been manufactured and studied. In an experiment polycrystalline silicon solar cell with micro channel structures on the surface demonstrated an increase in efficiency of 0.23-1.50%, as the radius of the micro channel structures varied from 15 gm to 35 gm. Micro channels also improved the Fill Factor of polycrystalline silicon solar cells. However, the efficiency started to decrease when the radius of the micro channel structures was greater than 40 gm. Detailed features of the variation in current voltage of polycrystalline silicon solar cells with micro channels are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.