Shin-etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Takashi Murakami

Takenori Watabe

Hiroyuki Otsuka

Mitsuhito Takahashi

Shintarou Tsukigata

Hiroshi Hashigami

Ryo Mitta

Shun Moriyama

Yoko Endo

A solar cell wherein: an emitter layer is formed on a light-receiving-surface side of a crystalline silicon substrate, with a dopant of the opposite conductivity type from the silicon substrate added to said emitter layer; a passivation film is formed on the surface of the silicon substrate; and an extraction electrode and a collector electrode are formed. Said extraction electrode extracts photogenerated charge from the silicon substrate, and said collector electrode contacts the extraction electrode at least partially and collects the charge collected at the extraction electrode. The extraction electrode contains a first electrode that consists of a sintered conductive paste containing a dopant that makes silicon conductive. Said first electrode, at least, is formed so as to pass through the abovementioned passivation layer. The collection electrode contains a second electrode that has a higher conductivity than the aforementioned first electrode. This invention reduces contact-resistance losses between the silicon and the electrodes, resistance losses due to electrode resistance, and optical and electrical losses in the emitter layer, thereby greatly improving the characteristics of the solar cell.

Solar cell and solar-cell module

The disclosed heat-treatment furnace, used in a semiconductor-substrate heat-treatment step, is characterized by the provision of a cylindrical core, both ends of which have openings sized so as to allow insertion and removal of semiconductor substrates. This reduces standby time between batches during consecutive semiconductor heat treatment, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, the use of a simple cylindrical shape for the structure of the core reduces the frequency at which gas-introduction pipe sections fail, thereby decreasing the running cost of the heat-treatment process.

Heat-treatment furnace

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell having excellent long-term reliability and high efficiency, said method including: a step () for applying a paste-like electrode agent to an antireflection film formed on the light receiving surface side of a semiconductor substrate having at least a pn junction, said electrode agent containing a conductive material; and an electrode firing step () having local heat treatment (step ()) for applying heat such that at least a part of the conductive material is fired by irradiating merely the electrode agent-applied portion with a laser beam, and whole body heat treatment (step ()) for heating the whole semiconductor substrate to a temperature below 800&#xb0; C.

Solar cell manufacturing method

Disclosed is a solar cell having a silicon monocrystal substrate surface with a textured structure and, near the surface of said substrate, a damage layer reflecting the slice processing history from the time of manufacture of the silicon monocrystal substrate. The damage layer near the surface of the silicon monocrystal substrate is derived from the slice processing history at the time of manufacture of the substrate and functions as a gettering site, contributing to a longer lifetime of the substrate minority carriers. Thanks to this effect, the solar cell characteristics are dramatically increased. Further, new damage need be inflicted, and no additional work is required because damage from the slicing is used.

Solar cell and manufacturing method thereof

Disclosed in a method that is for producing a solar cell and that is characterized by performing an annealing step on a semiconductor substrate before an electrode-forming step. By means of performing annealing in the above manner, it is possible to improve the electrical characteristics of the solar cell without negatively impacting reliability or outward appearance. As a result, the method can be widely used in methods for producing solar cells having high reliability and electrical characteristics.

Growing community of inventors

Annaka, Japan

Takashi Murakami