One-dimensional metallization for solar cells

US10535790B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US
• TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES · FR

Inventors

• Richard Hamilton Sewell · Los Altos, US
• David Fredric Joel Kavulak · Fremont, US
• Lewis Abra · San Francisco, US
• Thomas Pass · San Jose, US
• Taeseok Kim · Pleasanton, US
• Matthieu Moors · Braine-le-Château, BE
• Benjamin Ian Hsia · Fremont, US
• Gabriel Harley · Mountain View, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 25, 2015
• Grant date: Jan 14, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 25, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/547

Abstract

Approaches for fabricating one-dimensional metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate and parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of emitter regions for the solar cell. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal lines corresponding to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The plurality of metal lines is parallel along the first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.