Numerical exploration for structure design and free-energy loss analysis of the high-efficiency polysilicon passivated-contact p-type silicon solar cell

•p-type solar cell with front-junction and rear-BSF polysilicon passivated contact are studied.•Structure design, lifetime, resistivity, passivation and contact resistivity are considered.•FELA is used to find out energy loss of passivated contacted p-type solar cell.•p-type polysilicon contact serving as rear BSF is more favorable if lifetime of <350 μs.•Roadmap toward 23% industrial p-type solar cell with p- or n-type polysilicon contact is proposed.