3D-modeling of a back point contact solar cell structure with a selective emitter

Three dimensional numerical simulations were performed to investigate a novel high efficiency back contact solar cell design with a selective emitter. The effect of several physical parameters (bulk lifetime, substrate doping, emitter fraction and surface recombination velocity in the gap between the emitter and BSF) on solar cell performance is explored using the SENTAURUS DEVICE^¿ program (formerly DESSIS^¿). It is found that efficiencies in excess of 22 and 20.8 percent can be achieved on p and n type substrates respectively with a bulk lifetime of 300 microseconds.