Solar cell emitter region fabrication using silicon nano-particles

US8785233B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Paul Loscutoff · Castro Valley, US
• David D. Smith · Dublin, US
• Michael Morse · Tampa, US
• Ann Waldhauer · La Honda, US
• Taeseok Kim · Pleasanton, US
• Steven Molesa · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 22, 2014
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/948

Abstract

Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions using silicon nano-particles and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating an emitter region of a solar cell includes forming a region of doped silicon nano-particles above a dielectric layer disposed above a surface of a substrate of the solar cell. A layer of silicon is formed on the region of doped silicon nano-particles. At least a portion of the layer of silicon is mixed with at least a portion of the region of doped silicon nano-particles to form a doped polycrystalline silicon layer disposed on the dielectric layer.