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Review on Metallization Approaches for High-Efficiency Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Yulian Zeng, Chen‐Wei Peng, Wei Hong, Shan Wang, Cao Yu, Shuai Zou, Xiaodong Su

2022Transactions of Tianjin University52 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF

Abstract

Abstract Crystalline silicon (c-Si) heterojunction (HJT) solar cells are one of the promising technologies for next-generation industrial high-efficiency silicon solar cells, and many efforts in transferring this technology to high-volume manufacturing in the photovoltaic (PV) industry are currently ongoing. Metallization is of vital importance to the PV performance and long-term reliability of HJT solar cells. In this review, we summarize the development status of metallization approaches for high-efficiency HJT solar cells. For conventional screen printing technology, to avoid the degradation of the passivation properties of the amorphous silicon layer, a low-temperature-cured (< 250 ℃) paste and process are needed. This process, in turn, leads to high line/contact resistances and high paste costs. To improve the conductivity of electrodes and reduce the metallization cost, multi-busbar, fine-line printing, and low-temperature-cured silver-coated copper pastes have been developed. In addition, several potential metallization technologies for HJT solar cells, such as the Smart Wire Contacting Technology, pattern transfer printing, inkjet/FlexTrailprinting, and copper electroplating, are discussed in detail. Based on the summary, the potential and challenges of these metallization technologies for HJT solar cells are analyzed.

Topics & Concepts

Materials scienceCrystalline siliconPhotovoltaic systemBusbarHeterojunctionAmorphous siliconPassivationSiliconOptoelectronicsSolar cellCopper indium gallium selenide solar cellsScreen printingLayer (electronics)Engineering physicsNanotechnologyElectrical engineeringComposite materialEngineeringSilicon and Solar Cell TechnologiesThin-Film Transistor TechnologiesPhotovoltaic Systems and Sustainability