Classification of Solar Cells Based on Performance, Design Complexity, and Manufacturing Costs

Critical design aspects or fundamental design parameters for a low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell are identified below. Preliminary studies performed by the author on solar cell technology reveal that contact resistance plays a key role in the conversion efficiency of the solar cell, regardless of device type. Contact resistance losses occur at the interface between the solar cell and the metal contact. Contact resistance is the most critical performance parameter of the solar cell. Major performance degradation from the increased series resistance is due to the contact resistance that will ultimately degrade the conversion efficiency of the solar cell, regardless of the solar cell design.