Effect of the front electrode metallisation process on electrical parameters of a silicon solar cell

• Autorzy: Dobrzański L.A. , Musztyfaga M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Purpose: This paper shows that the laser micro-treatment of the silicon elements of solar cells with the different morphology of monocrystalline silicon, including the selective laser sintering of the front electrode to its surface using the CO₂ laser, improves the quality by minimising the resistance of a joint between the electrode and the substrate. The influence of the properties achieved for the front electrode on the electrical properties of solar cells was assessed. A front electrode of photovoltaic cells deposited by the traditional screen printing method and by co-firing in the infrared conveyor furnace was prepared for comparative purposes. Design/methodology/approach: The topography of front contacts subjected to selective laser sintering and co-firing in the infrared conveyor furnace was investigated using the scanning electron microscope with the energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectrometer for a microchemical analysis and with the confocal laser scanning microscope. Both, the surface topography and cross section of the front contacts was examined with the SEM microscope. The phase composition analyses of the selected front contacts were carried out using the XRD method. The front contacts were formed on the surface with the different morphologies of solar cells: textured ones with a coated antireflection layer, textured ones without a coated antireflection layer, non-textured ones with a coated antireflection layer and non-textured ones without a coated antireflection layer. An average size of pyramids was measured using the atomic force microscope (AFM). The resistance of the front electrodes was investigated using the Transmission Line Model (TLM). Findings: The following technological recommendations for the laser micro-treatment technology such as optimal paste composition, the power and scanning speed of the laser beam, the morphology of the silicon substrate to produce the front electrode of silicon solar cells, were selected experimentally in order to produce a uniformly melted structure, well adhering to the substrate, with the low resistance of the front electrode-to-substrate joint zone. Research limitations/implications: The contact resistance of front metallisation established depends on the paste composition, morphology of the silicon substrate as well as the co-firing and laser micro-treatment conditions. Originality/value: This paper investigates the front contact production using different silver paste compositions on silicon solar cells in order to decrease contact resistance and increase efficiency in this way.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

electrical properties; front electrode; silicon solar cell; selective laser sintering; screen printing

• Wydawca: International OCSCO World Press
• Czasopismo: Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
• Rocznik: 2011
• Tom: Vol. 48, nr 2
• Strony: 115--144
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 80 poz., rys., tab

Twórcy

autor

Dobrzański L.A.

• Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

autor

Musztyfaga M.

• Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

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