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Minicrystallization in directionally solidified multicrystalline silicon and its effect on the photovoltaic properties of solar cells
Author(s) -
Liu Bingfa,
Chen Nan,
Du Guoping,
Liu Guihua,
Li Yangsheng,
Sun Wei,
Rossetto Pietro
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.201127172
Subject(s) - materials science , silicon , photovoltaic system , directional solidification , monocrystalline silicon , solar cell , metallurgy , optoelectronics , engineering physics , microstructure , electrical engineering , engineering
Abstract In this paper, we report the occurrence of minicrystallization in multicrystalline silicon ingots grown by the directional solidification method and its effect on the photovoltaic (PV) properties of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Minicrystallization in multicrystalline silicon ingots sometimes occurs when the directional solidification process is not properly optimized, and it causes much smaller grain sizes in the minicrystallized regions. Serious shunting behaviour has been observed in multicrystalline silicon solar cells containing minicrystallized regions, and it is highly localized to these minicrystallized regions. Minicrystallization in multicrystalline silicon considerably deteriorates the overall PV properties of solar cells.