Development of Processes for low cost and high efficiency solar cell based on Upgraded Metallurgical Silicon

The proposed project intends to develop processes for the fabrication of low cost and high efficiency silicon solar cells based on Upgraded Metallugical Silicon (UMG-Si). The price of UMG-Si is significantly cheaper compared to conventional purified solar -grade Si. If fabrication process for high efficiency solar cells can be developed based on this low price material it would result in mass production of low-cost solar cells and make utilization of sunlight energy more accessible in developing countries all over the world and Vietnam particularly. In order to achieve efficiency of 16% for UMG-Si cells, research and development activities will be focused on: i) optimization of conventional technology processes, including texturization, diffusion, passivat ion, ii) investigation of passivation effects on rear side by dielectric films, iii) development of low cost processes using etching pastes for making point contact for rear side passivated cells and iv) investigation of light induced degradation in UMG-S i solar cells. The research activities will be conducted both at Norut Narvik and the Laboratory for NanoTechnology (LNT) in the South of Vietnam. The development of wet chemical processes like texturization, selective etching by Merck pastes will be main ly carried out at Norut Narvik. The work with the optimization of diffusion, anti-reflection coating and metallization will be carried out at LNT. The project shall contribute to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from those countries thus also contribu te to mitigate the climate change. The knowledge gained from the project will improve competence of both parties and strengthen cooperation between Norway, Vietnam and India, especially in development of renewable energy.