Study of SSP ribbon as polycrystalline silicon thin film solar cells´ substrate material-preparation and performance

In this paper the preparation of polycrystalline silicon thin film (poly-CSiTF) solar cells based on low cost SSP (Silicon Sheet from Powder) substrate is illustrated. The performance characterization by SEM, I-V curve and spectra response data is given and from which segregation phenomenon of low purity SSP ribbon is observed and the possible factors affecting solar cells´ performance are discussed, especially on the actions of SSP substrate. Up to now, the conversion efficiency of the prepared solar cells on low purity SSP substrate without any optimizing processes is usually at the range of 6%-8% (with area of 1 cm/spl times/1 cm).