Thick film metallization for solar cell applications
The use of an integral printing technique for the fabrication of silicon solar cells is attractive due to its throughput rate, materials utilization, and modular, automatable design. The transfer of this technology from single crystal to semicrystalline silicon requires a significant amount of process optimization. Processing parameters found to be critical include the optimum glass frit content in the silver-based inks, the silver ink firing temperature, and the formation of the back-surface field using screen-printed aluminum layers. Open-circuit voltages as high as 617 mV have been achieved using a novel BSF approach on 4-in wafers. Important mechanisms controlling ink contact resistance, ink sheet resistivity, and ohmic contact on <111> and <100> silicon materials are discussed in this paper. The solar cells stability is a function of the glass frit and the firing temperature of the silver-based inks. Finally, a simple economic analysis, based on the IPEG technique, indicates that screen printing is a cost-effective option when the cell manufacturing is done on a large scale.
- Research Organization:
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Kardinal Mercierlaan, Heverlee
- OSTI ID:
- 6295693
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Trans. Electron Devices; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Electron Devices; (United States) Vol. ED-31:5; ISSN IETDA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Metallic Inks for Solar Cells: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report)
Review and Understanding of Screen-Printed Contacts and Selective-Emitter Formation: Preprint
Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ALUMINIUM
CONTROL
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
INKS
METALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PROCESS CONTROL
SCREEN PRINTING
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SILVER COMPOUNDS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS