Challenges of evaporated solid-phase-crystallised poly-Si thin-film solar cells on textured glass

In this paper we discuss e-beam evaporated solidphase crystallised poly-Si thin-film solar cells on textured glass superstrates of various degrees of roughness. Light trapping in these films is significantly enhanced through the glass texturing. However, additional problems are introduced: (i) cracks extending from the inflexions of the textured glass deep into the Si films or even to the films surface; (ii) non-uniformities and discontinuities of the Si films. These two effects result in significantly poorer electrical performance of textured cells as evidenced by Suns-Voc measurements. Approaches to overcome these problems are discussed.