This paper discusses the feasibility of overcoming the recombination l
osses associated with the rear metal contact of buried contact solar c
ells. The buried contact locally diffused rear (BCLD) structure has be
en proposed as one of the structures that will limit the rear surface
recombination and improve on cell efficiency. The one-dimensional (1D)
modeling, using PC-1D has given an energy conversion efficiency of cl
ose to 21% with all the possible losses taken into account. This means
that by proper optimization of the processing steps energy conversion
efficiency in excess of 19% would be achieved on large-area cells.