High-voltage monocrystalline Si photovoltaic minimodules based on poly-Si/SiOx passivating contacts for high-power laser power conversion

By using photovoltaic cells under high-intensity laser illumination, much higher photoconversion efficiencies are obtained than under the solar spectrum. We demonstrate a monocrystalline Si based minimodule to convert laser light into electricity using edge-illuminated Si "minicells" based on polysilicon on silicon oxide passivating contacts. Ten fully metallized devices were stacked in series and illuminated from the edge, creating a high-voltage, low-current minimodule that mitigates resistive and Auger-Meitner losses. The minimodule shows a high open-circuit voltage of >5 V when tested under 1-Sun illumination and >7 V at higher illumination intensities when tested with a flash simulator. The fill factor in these minimodules is limited by shunting at low illuminations but reaches a maximum of-78% for higher illumination intensities >40 Suns (current density >1200 mA/cm2), indicating that the minimodules are not limited by series resistance up to 40 Suns. Under 1000 nm monochromatic light, we measure efficiencies >40% at > 40 Suns equivalent illumination, showing the potential of passivated contact Si cells for laser power conversion.