Title: Metallization of conductive wires for solar cells

Abstract

Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.

Inventors:

Sewell, Richard Hamilton; Barkhouse, David Aaron Randolph; Harder, Nils-Peter; Rose, Douglas H.

Issue Date:

Tue May 11 00:00:00 EDT 2021

Research Org.:

SunPower Corp., San Jose, CA (United States); Total Marketing Services and Total Energies Nouvelles Activites USA, Puteaux (France)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1823948

Patent Number(s):

11004987

Application Number:

16/818,935

Assignee:

SunPower Corporation (San Jose, CA); Total Marketing Services and Total Energies Nouvelles Activites USA (Puteaux, FR)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L24/78 - {Apparatus for connecting with wire connectors}
H01L31/02008 - {for solar cells or solar cell modules}
H01L31/0504 - {specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module}
H01L31/0516 - {specially adapted for interconnection of back-contact solar cells}
H01L31/18 - Processes or apparatus peculiar to the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
H01L31/188 - {Apparatus specially adapted for automatic interconnection of solar cells in a module}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/50 - Photovoltaic [PV] energy

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0008175

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 03/13/2020

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English