Accelerated Light-Induced Defect Transformation Study of Elkem Solar Grade Silicon

Abstract

Solar cells made of silicon feedstock from a metallurgical route must qualify not only the initial efficiency, but must also be comparable to the solar cells made from reference polysilicon on the spectral response after light induced degradation. A detailed comparative study of light induced defects and its impact on cell performance is necessary for both materials. We have studied accelerated light induced degradation (ALID) defect transformation for Elkem Solar Silicon and polysilicon solar cells by selecting wafers from different positions from respective silicon bricks. Active boron-oxygen complexes and iron ions in multicrystalline silicon solar cells have been analyzed, and their impacts on the current voltage characteristics of the solar cells have been studied in detail.