Foil-based metallization of solar cells

US10615296B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US
• TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES · FR

Inventors

• Gabriel Harley · Mountain View, US
• Taeseok Kim · Pleasanton, US
• Richard Hamilton Sewell · Los Altos, US
• Michael Morse · Tampa, US
• David D. Smith · Dublin, US
• Matthieu Moors · Braine-le-Château, BE
• Jens Dirk Moschner · Tarp, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 30, 2018
• Grant date: Apr 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 30, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50

Abstract

Approaches for the foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed above the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal seed material regions providing a metal seed material region disposed on each of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. A metal foil is disposed on the plurality of metal seed material regions, the metal foil having anodized portions isolating metal regions of the metal foil corresponding to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.