Thin film solar cell backside contact manufacturing process

US9583649B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Hans-Juergen Eickelmann · Mainz, DE
• Ruediger Kellmann · Mainz, DE
• Hartmut Kuehl · Gau-Bischofsheim, DE
• Markus Schmidt · Seibersbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 22, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 22, 2035

Classification

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

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention related to a method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell backside contact. Prior to application of materials, a planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.