Abstract :
The series connected silicon vertical multi-junctions (VMJs) solar cells have been suggested as means for ensuring high
voltage high efficiency solar cells. This study includes a review of some previously published work concerning the edge-illuminated
VMJs solar cells. We introduce a simple one-dimensional analysis to study the high voltage series connected silicon
VMJs solar cells. The cell, under study, consists of 40 VMJs. Each junction (unit cell) has dimensions of
250 lm · 0.78 cm · 500 lm. We calculate the short circuit current, the open circuit voltage and the efficiency for an ideal
cell, having perfect carrier collection at short circuit conditions, and for real cells. An optimization with respect to the base
doping, the emitter doping, the surface recombination velocity and the number of junctions is done for the real cell. A
conversion efficiency of 20% has been calculated under AM1.5 light spectrum for real cells having a base doping of
1016 cm 3 and an emitter doping of 1017 cm 3.
2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
