Wire-based metallization and stringing for solar cells

US11227962B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Richard Hamilton Sewell · Los Altos, US
• David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse · Oakland, US
• Douglas Rose · Austin, US
• Lewis Abra · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 29, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 18, 2022
• Expiry date: Mar 29, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F77/939

Abstract

Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.