Establishing an accurate numerical model for the 2D-simulation of buried contact cells [solar cells]

An accurate numerical model is established for the simulation of buried contact solar cells in two dimensions. The physical parameters and the approximations are discussed as well as the procedures that lead to the foundations of the model. The model is applied to bifacial solar cells with three different rear surface configurations: passivated by a thermally grown oxide (A); by a dopand-induced floating junction (B); and with a contacted junction (C). Especially when the cell is situated in a light-concentrating roof tile, configuration C performed far better than A and B. The two-dimensional effects of resistive losses in the semiconductor region of the solar cell are also discussed.