Use of tin oxide as an inexpensive antireflection coating for p on n polycrystalline silicon solar cells

The potential of tin oxide as an inexpensive antireflection (AR) coating for polycrystalline silicon solar cells has been investigated. Undoped tin oxide films of a desired thickness were deposited over p on n polycrystalline silicon solar cells by spray pyrolysis of an alcoholic solution of hydrated stannic chloride at 500°C. Evaluation of cell performance before and after this AR coating showed that the AR coating is highly compatible with the polycrystalline silicon solar cells. About 40-50 percent improvement in the short-circuit current of p on n polycrystalline cells has been measured. The coating may be highly suited to large-scale production of low-cost polycrystalline silicon solar cells for terrestrial application.