Title:  Development of Low-Cost High-Efficiency Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact Silicon Solar Cells

Committee: 

Dr. Rohatgi, Advisor     

Dr. Kippelen, Chair

Dr. Gaylord

Abstract:

The objective of the proposed research is to develop low-cost high-efficiency (>23%) commercial size n-type Si solar cells with poly-Si/SiOx carrier-selective tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) on the rear. Carrier-selective passivating contacts consist of material structures in-between of c-Si and metal electrode, which effectively reduce electron-hole recombination through defect states at the c-Si surface while working as contacts to extract either electrons or holes from the c-Si absorber. The proposed research includes fundamental understanding of loss mechanisms, extensive device modeling, advanced metallization, and large area cell fabrication to overcome the fundamental bottlenecks that are currently limiting the efficiency of most low-cost industrial cells to <22% efficiency.