Advent Solar, Inc.

Applied Materials, Inc.

Peter Hacke

James M Gee

Back contact solar cells including rear surface structures and methods for making same. The rear surface has small contact areas through at least one dielectric layer, including but not limited to a passivation layer, a nitride layer, a diffusion barrier, and/or a metallization barrier. The dielectric layer is preferably screen printed. Large grid areas overlay the dielectric layer. The methods provide for increasing efficiency by minimizing p-type contact areas and maximizing n-type doped regions on the rear surface of a p-type substrate.

Contact fabrication of emitter wrap-through back contact silicon solar cells

A buried-contact solar cell, in-process buried-contact solar cell components and methods for making buried contact solar cells wherein a self-doping contact material is placed in a plurality of buried-contact surface grooves. By combining groove doping and metallization steps, the resulting solar cell is simpler and more economical to manufacture.

Buried-contact solar cells with self-doping contacts

Methods for fabrication of emitter wrap through (EWT) back-contact solar cells and cells made by such methods. Certain methods provide for higher concentration of dopant in conductive vias compared to the average dopant concentration on front or rear surfaces, and provided increased efficiency. Certain methods provide for selective doping to holes for forming conductive vias by use of printed dopant pastes. Other methods provide for use of spin-on glass substrates including dopant.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Peter Hacke