Performance improvements in silicon flat-plate cells and modules

This paper reports the development of a flat-plate module based on highly efficient ion-implanted silicon solar cells. The cells developed in this work are 53 sq cm in area and have exhibited AM 1.5 efficiencies of over 18 percent. The use of back surface reflectors to reduce module operating temperature is discussed. A comparison of various approaches to cell design is made, and module test data for these designs are presented. A comparison of float zone and Czochralski silicon is made. Module efficiency of over 15 percent (at 25 C) is reported.