Solar cell contact formation using laser ablation

US9087939B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Gabriel Harley · Mountain View, US
• David D. Smith · Dublin, US
• Peter John Cousins · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2014
• Grant date: Jul 21, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/547

Abstract

The formation of solar cell contacts using a laser is described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming a poly-crystalline material layer above a single-crystalline substrate. The method also includes forming a dielectric material stack above the poly-crystalline material layer. The method also includes forming, by laser ablation, a plurality of contacts holes in the dielectric material stack, each of the contact holes exposing a portion of the poly-crystalline material layer; and forming conductive contacts in the plurality of contact holes.