A detailed analysis of photogenerated current enhancement in thin silicon solar cells with a diffuse back reflector

A thin solar cell with light trapping obtained via diffuse (lambertian) back surface reflection is analyzed. An accurate closed form expression is derived for the generation profile. The enhancement of the photogenerated current is estimated. The results show that a diffuse back reflector can lead to doubling of the photogenerated current in a 3 /spl mu/m cell. It is also proved that the commonly used loss cone assumption is usually valid but should be used cautiously.