Bifacial solar cells with overlaid back grid surface

US8298850B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Silicor Materials Inc. · US

Inventors

• Martin Kaes · Berlin, DE
• Peter G. Borden · Mountain View, US
• Kamel Ounadjela · Belmont, US
• Andreas Kraenzl · Radolfzell, DE
• Alain Blosse · Belmont, US
• Fritz Kirscht · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2012
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2031

Classification

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

Abstract

A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. After removing the PSG, assuming phosphorous diffusion, and isolating the front junction, dielectric layers are deposited on the front and back surfaces. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Prior to depositing the back surface dielectric, a metal grid may be applied to the back surface, the back surface contact grid registered to, and alloyed to, the metal grid during contact firing.