Proof-of-Concept p-Type Silicon Solar Cells With Molybdenum Oxide Local Rear Contacts

This paper explores the application of transparent MoO_x (x<;3) films as hole-collecting contacts on the rear side of crystalline silicon solar cells. Two dimensional simulations, which consider experimental contact recombinationJ_0c and resistivity ρ_c values, indicate that the benefits of direct MoOx-based contacts are best exploited by reducing the rear contact fraction. This concept is demonstrated experimentally using simple p-type cells featuring a ~5% rear fraction MoO_x contact. These cells attain a conversion efficiency of 20.4%, a promising result, given the early stage of development for this technology.