Pathway to predict solar cell efficiencies from as-grown multicrystalline silicon bricks

We present an approach to estimate multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cell efficiencies from as-grown silicon bricks. The approach is based on interstitial iron concentration Fe_i measurements across an as-grown mc-Si brick. Numerical impurity gettering and phosphorus diffusion simulations are used to simulate possible cell fabrication process conditions. The results are then used for numerical device simulations to show the efficiency potential of PERC solar cells across the mc-Si brick. This approach shows a possible pathway to predict final solar cell efficiencies based on characterization of mc-Si materials prior to cell production with state of the art experimental and simulation techniques.