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Pathology of Solar Cell Contacts

  • Conference paper
Fourth E.C. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference

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Summary

Energy level diagrams of metal contacts to silicon solar cells are examined, as well as equations governing the tunneling conductance. Symptoms of some solar cell contact problems are mentioned and potential diagnoses are suggested. These include the “flat spot” phenomenon and “S” shaped curves along with the more common series and shunt resistance problems, which all result in poor fill factor and consequently lower efficiencies. Examination of recent solar cells provided with screened thick film copper contacts along with controls, indicate that this contact method does not impose an efficiency limitation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bernd Ross Associates, San Diego, CA, 92109, USA

    B. Ross

Authors
  1. B. Ross
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Stuttgart, Germany

    W. H. Bloss

  2. Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, Belgium

    G. Grassi

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© 1982 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg

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Ross, B. (1982). Pathology of Solar Cell Contacts. In: Bloss, W.H., Grassi, G. (eds) Fourth E.C. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7898-0_86

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7898-0_86

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-7900-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-7898-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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