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2022
Journal Article
Title
Stable Reverse Bias or Integrated Bypass Diode in HIP-MWT+ Solar Cells
Abstract
The Metal Wrap Through+ (HIP-MWT+) solar cell is based on the PERC concept but features two additional electrical contacts, namely the Schottky contact between p-type Si bulk and Ag n-contact and the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact on the rear side of the cell below the n-contact pads. To prevent thermal hotspots under reverse bias, both contacts shall either restrict current flow or allow a homogenous current flow at low voltage. In this work we present both options. First the stable reverse bias characteristics up to -15 V with a MIS contact using industrially manufactured SiON passivation and second, an integrated by-pass diode using AlOX as insulator in the passivation stack allowing current flows at approximately Vrev = -3.5 V depending on the chosen screen-print paste. The examined Schottky contacts break down at around Vrev = -2.5 V. Reverse bias testing of the cells reveals a solid performance of the cells under reverse bias and an average conversion efficiency of i = 21.2% (AlOX) and i = 20.7% (SiON), respectively.