Smooth TCO/glass substrates and diffuse rear reflectors for efficient low cost amorphous silicon-based solar cells

Improvements in amorphous silicon single junction solar cell stabilized performance can be realized by developing more stable materials as well as more efficient light trapping. The optical losses of thin solar cells are investigated both numerically and experimentally. New approaches involving planar junctions and diffuse rear reflectors are developed. It is theoretically possible to achieve short-circuit currents over 17 mA/cm/sup 2/ with a 150 nm i-layer using a diffuse rear reflector when an appropriate rear window material is employed.