Three-dimensional minority-carrier collection channels at shunt locations in silicon solar cells

In this contribution we first identify shunt locations via DLIT imaging and then connection these shunts with enhanced minority carrier collection channels surrounding grain boundaries at the shunt locations. The origin of this network of collection channels was found to be a high density of oxide precipitates decorating the grain boundaries that cause local type inversion around the boundaries. Metallic precipitates were also identified at the shunt locations.135