Understanding process-related efficiency variations of multicrystalline silicon PERC cells

Abstract
This paper introduces and explains a simulation-assisted approach for determining and ranking the most influential causes of variations in experimentally obtained solar cell efficiencies, using the example of an industrially feasible multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) process. The approach presented is especially helpful for ramping up PERC production; however, since it is basically transferable to any solar cell concept, it can also be applied to optimize established production lines.