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Kwapil, W. , M. Kasemann , P. Gundel , M. C. Schubert , W. Warta , O. Breitenstein , J. Bauer , A. Lotnyk , J.-M. Wagner , G. Coletti , and P. C. P. Bronsveld

Physical mechanisms of breakdown in multicrystalline silicon solar cells.

For the construction of solar modules, the reverse characteristic of the employed solar cells is important. Diode breakdown in shaded cells can lead to hot spot development which can destroy the cell encapsulation and thus seriously damage the module. We investigated the breakdown behaviour of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Three breakdown types are discerned: (i) Early pre-breakdown, (ii) soft breakdown related to recombination-active regions and (iii) hard avalanche breakdown at etched dislocations. We give a summary of their physical properties and their likely origin. Finally, we discuss the dangerousness of each breakdown type for solar modules.

Proceedings 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (24th EU PVSEC) , p 896-900 WIP, Munich, Germany (2009)

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