Methods of emitter formation for crystalline silicon solar cells

By Jan Bultman, Program Manager, ECN Solar Energy; Ilkay Cesar, Researcher, Group of Device Architecture and Integration, ECN Solar Energy; Bart Geerligs, ECN Solar Energy; Yuji Komatsu, R&D Specialist, ECN Solar Energy; Wim Sinke, ECN Solar Energy

The emitter or p-n junction is the core of crystalline silicon solar cells. The vast majority of silicon cells are produced using a simple process of high temperature diffusion of dopants into the crystal lattice. This paper takes a closer look at the characteristics of this diffusion and possible variations in the process, and asks whether this step can lead to optimal emitters or whether emitters should be made with different processes in order to obtain the highest possible efficiency.