Analysis of multicrystalline solar cells from solar grade silicon feedstock

The paper focuses on the analysis of solar cells from the newly developed solar grade silicon (SoG-Si) feedstock from a metallurgical process route. The emphasis of our experiments was to define an industrial solar cell process to achieve efficiencies higher than η=16% on multicrystalline wafers containing a significant amount of the SoG-Si. The material was prepared as multicrystalline ingots by directional solidification and wafered by conventional wire saw technique. We demonstrate efficiencies higher than 16% on several wafers of 156 cm² size with an industrial process sequence from batches containing 25% and 65% Elkem SoG-Si feedstock. The new feedstock under investigation will enable the mass PV production and opens the route for cost reductions in the PV-industry.