Solar cell

US7851696B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Q-CELLS SE · DE

Inventors

• Joerg Mueller · Bonn, DE
• Robert Wade · Louisville, US
• Markus Hlusiak · Wolfen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 14, 2010
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2029

Classification

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar cell that comprises a planar semiconductor substrate with a front and a back; a multitude of holes that interconnect the front and the back; and current-collecting electrical contacts that are exclusively arranged on the back. The front comprises highly doped regions and lightly doped regions of a first type such that in each case the holes are situated in a highly doped region or adjoin such a region. According to a first aspect of the invention, the highly doped regions are arranged locally around the holes. According to a second aspect of the invention, the front comprises at least one region without holes, and the highly doped regions comprise one region or several regions that extends/extend to the at least one hole-free region. The invention furthermore relates to methods for manufacturing such solar cells.