Effectiveness of the front and rear grids as a result of silicon solar cell metallization patterns: A study using Griddler simulator

The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of metallization patterns on the front and rear grids on the efficiency of the silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells. Griddler 2.5 PRO simulator was utilized to analyze the effects of various front grid metallization designs and geometries on open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and efficiency (ƞ) of silicon-based PV cells. Griddler 2.5 PRO is designed to assess different cell types, and gain a better understanding of the limiting factors that influence solar cell characteristics in laboratory and field settings. The finite-element method (FEM) is applied in solar cell modeling to approximate the cell plane as a network of resistors and diodes. It also features an interface for generating H-patterns and back metal grids. The simulations varied the number of busbars used on the front side metal grids of solar cells from 1 to 5 and the number of metal fingers used for grid pattern optimization from 80 to 130, with finger widths ranging from 10 to 60 µm. For optimization of efficiency and fill factor, various styles (straight, rectangular pad tapered, round pad, digital, two split, and three split) and shapes (straight, pointed, digital, apollo, and wine bottle) were explored. The front and rear contact resistances were kept constant during these simulations to obtain the best fill factor and efficiency. In this model, with 110 fingers (the finger sheet resistance of front and rear sides is kept at 3 mΩ/□) and four busbars, with two split style and straight shapes and a finger width of 25 µm, was designed to achieve maximum performance of the solar cell. Various recombination loss factors in the cells are also analyzed. The results indicate that this is one of the most efficient silicon solar cells modeled, with a fill factor and efficiency of 80 % and 19.55 %, respectively, which is noteworthy for a planar solar cell.