total or active area of a photovoltaic cell

a) total cell area

area of the front surface of a photovoltaic cell as defined by its outer edges

NOTE 1 Total cell area includes the area of any metallisation lines

NOTE 2 Total cell area is preferred for reporting cell efficiency

b) active cell area

part of the total cell area designed to receive solar radiation for the generation of electricity

NOTE 3 Active cell area equals the total cell area minus the area contribution of the metallisation lines

NOTE 4 Active cell area is sometimes referred to as “cell aperture area”