Defining terms for crystalline silicon solar cells

Abstract

Sandia National Laboratories manages the US Department of Energy's program supporting photovoltaic technology based on crystalline silicon. In this role, Sandia has favored terminology for use in this program. Terms defined and presented here are for the description of different types of crystalline silicon based on grain size, the description of cell area and the description of module area. While these terms have not been formally established as an international standard, it is hoped that the majority of the photovoltaic community will adopt these terms voluntarily.