Structuring Interdigitated Back Contact Solar Cells Using the Enhanced Oxidation Characteristics Under Laser-Doped Back Surface Field Regions

Interdigitated back contact (IBC) architecture can yield among the highest silicon wafer-based solar cell conversion efficiencies. Since both polarities are realized on the rear side, there is a definite need for a patterning step. Some of the common patterning techniques involve photolithography, inkjet patterning, and laser ablation. This...

Stable passivation of cut edges in encapsulated n-type silicon solar cells using Nafion polymer

In this study, the edge passivation effectiveness and long-term stability of Nafion polymer in n-type interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells are investigated. For new module technologies such as half-cut, triple-cut, or shingled modules, cutting of the cells introduces unpassivated edges with a high recombination rate and this limits the...

In Situ Annealing of Boron-Doped Amorphous Silicon Layers Using APCVD Technology

In this work, we developed an in situ annealing process to crystallize boron-doped amorphous silicon [a-Si(p+)] layers deposited by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) to form boron-doped polycrystalline silicon [poly-Si(p+)] layers. The influence of the temperature profiles during a-Si(p+) inline deposition on structural,...

Mitigating Cut Losses in Interdigitated Back Contact Solar Cells

The edge recombination losses of crystalline silicon solar cells become significant when they are cut into smaller pieces to be assembled into modules. With the interdigitated pattern of doped p and n regions on the rear side, the interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells can be cut through different doped regions. In this study, the...

Thermal Stable High-Efficiency Copper Screen Printed Back Contact Solar Cells

The high usage of silver in industrial solar cells may limit the growth of the solar industry. One solution is to replace Ag with copper. A screen printable Cu paste is used herein to metallize industrial interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. A novel metallization structure is proposed for making solar cells. Cu paste is applied to...