Advancements in n-Type Base Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Their Emergence in the Photovoltaic Industry

• Published in: TheScientificWorld Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: ur Rehman, Atteq, Lee, Soohong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01-01-2013; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Alloys; Aluminum; Boron; Cost reduction; Crystal defects; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Crystallization; Efficiency; Manufacturing; Material properties; Modules; Optical properties; Phosphorus; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Review; Silicon; Silicon substrates; Silicon wafers; Solar cells; Solar Energy; Substrates; Thin films; Wafers
• ISSN: 2356-6140; 1537-744X
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/470347

The p-type crystalline silicon wafers have occupied most of the solar cell market today. However, modules made with n-type crystalline silicon wafers are actually the most efficient modules up to date. This is because the material properties offered by n-type crystalline silicon substrates are suitable for higher efficiencies. Properties such as the absence of boron-oxygen related defects and a greater tolerance to key metal impurities by n-type crystalline silicon substrates are major factors that underline the efficiency of n-type crystalline silicon wafer modules. The bi-facial design of n-type cells with good rear-side electronic and optical properties on an industrial scale can be shaped as well. Furthermore, the development in the industrialization of solar cell designs based on n-type crystalline silicon substrates also highlights its boost in the contributions to the photovoltaic industry. In this paper, a review of various solar cell structures that can be realized on n-type crystalline silicon substrates will be given. Moreover, the current standing of solar cell technology based on n-type substrates and its contribution in photovoltaic industry will also be discussed.