High-efficiency, laser grooved, buried contact silicon solar cells

Improvements in the performance of silicon solar cells based on a novel, laser grooved, buried contact approach are described. Independently confirmed energy conversion efficiencies as high as 19.8% are reported for cells of 12 cm2 area, as are the resistivity dependence of efficiency, spectral response data, and the results of laser beam induced current scans. The potential for further improvement is also discussed.