Numerical modeling of loss mechanisms resulting from the distributed emitter effect in concentrator solar cells

Abstract

Power loss associated with lateral current flow in solar cell emitter layers is known to cause fill-factor degradation. In this work, a unique approach to modeling the lateral current flow in solar cell emitter layers is developed using MATLAB™ and current-generation models based upon one-dimensional detailed numerical cell models. An example is employed to illustrate the high degree of accuracy of this approach and that in addition to joule losses in the emitter layer and conducting electrodes, a third loss mechanism, which is the result of the potential gradient across the cell surface, also plays an important role. The relationship between these loss mechanisms is explored over a wide range of concentrations under both uniform and non-uniform illumination for the example cell.