Novel hybrid thin film silicon solar cell and module

An initial efficiency of 14.7% (Jsc=14.4 mA/cm/sup 2/, Voc=1.41 V, FF=72.8%) has been achieved for a-Si:H/transparent inter-layer/microcrystalline Si solar cell (total area of 1 cm/sup 2/). The short circuit current (Jsc) was enhanced by the introduction of transparent interlayer, namely internal light trapping. The highest Jsc of 15 mA/cm/sup 2/ was obtained by this internal light trapping. It was also found that total spectral response is enhanced by both selecting and adjusting the appropriate materials and preparation conditions of above mentioned transparent inter-layer. An initial aperture efficiency of 13.2% has been achieved for 910/spl times/455 mm/sup 2/ a-Si/microcrystalline Si thin film integrated large area solar cell module. The higher efficiency potential of thin film three stacked cell is also addressed by using new technology of internal light trapping.