Improvement of short circuit current of mono crystalline silicon solar cells

Abstract

In this report we present series of experiments during which the short circuit current of mono crystalline silicon solar cell was improved step by step so as a consequence the efficiency was increased. At first, the front contact of solar cell was optimized to reduce the shadow loss and the series resistance. Then surface treatments were prepared by TMAH solution to reduce the total light reflectance and to improve the light trapping effect. Finally, antireflection coatings were deposited to passivate the front surface either by silicon nitride thin layer or to increase the collection probability by indium tin oxide layer, and to reduce the reflectance of light. As a result, solar cells of about 13% have been obtained, with the average open circuit voltage Voc about 527mV, with the fill factor about 68% and the short circuit current about 7.92 mA/cm2 under the irradiation density of 21 mW/cm2.