IMPROVEMENTS IN SILICON SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY.

Abstract

Four significant results are described relating to improved solar cell efficiency. These are: (i) the demonstration of cells with efficiencies in excess of 20% under terrestrial test conditions (AM 1. 5, 100 mW/cm**2 , 28 degree C); (ii) the demonstration of cells with greater than 18% efficiency under space radiation (AM0, 25 degree C); (iii) the development of a very practical sequence not requiring photolithography, vacuum evaporations, or double layer antireflection coatings which produces similarly high efficiencies; and (iv) the demonstration of 18% efficiency with this approach using solar-grade Czochralski substrates of both small and large area. Show more