Large area thin film silicon modules with 10% efficiency for production

A stabilized total-area efficiency above 10% (ISC = 1.46 A, VOC = 148 V, FF = 67%, Pmpp = 145W, total area of 1.43m2) has been achieved on Gen 5 modules for the first time with an amorphous/microcrystalline silicon solar cell. The efficiency was enhanced by improving the light management and reducing the light induced degradation. The short circuit current density Jsc was enhanced by the introduction of internal light trapping using textured ZnO as the front transparent conductor, the implementation of an innovative µc-SiOx based p-layer and by an optical filter between the top and bottom cells of the tandem junction. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)