Simplified backside-contact solar cells

Experimental and modeling results for a family of simplified backside-contact designs are presented. This simplification hinges upon the demonstration of a self-aligned metalization technique as well as an optimization of heavily doped, compensated regions in the solar cell. The resulting devices can be fabricated without mask alignment and require as few as one mask. A 10.5 cm/sup 2/ one-sun cell that achieves 21.9% efficiency is presented as an example of the potential for these device designs. Prospective performance for concentrator cells of this type is also discussed.>