Metallization of solar cells

US9362427B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• SUNPOWER CORPORATION · US
• TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES · FR

Inventors

• Richard Hamilton Sewell · Los Altos, US
• David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse · Oakland, US
• Junbo Wu · Palo Alto, US
• Michael Cudzinovic · Sunnyvale, US
• Paul Loscutoff · Castro Valley, US
• Joseph Behnke · San Jose, US
• Michel Arsène Olivier Ngamo Toko · Brussels, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2034

Classification

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

Abstract

Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.