Title :
Multi-Layer Inkjet Printed Contacts for Silicon Solar Cells
Author :
Curtis, Calvin J. ; van Hest, M. ; Miedaner, Alex ; Kaydanova, Tanya ; Smith, Lee ; Ginley, David S.
Author_Institution :
Nat. Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO
Abstract :
Ag, Cu, and Ni metallizations were inkjet printed with near vacuum deposition quality. The approach developed can be easily extended to other conductors such as Pt, Pd, Au, etc. Thick highly conducting lines of Ag and Cu demonstrating good adhesion to glass, Si, and printed circuit board (PCB) have been printed at 100-200degC in air and N2 respectively. Ag grids were inkjet-printed on Si solar cells and fired through the silicon nitride AR layer at 850degC, resulting in 8% cells. Next generation inks, including an ink that etches silicon nitride, have now been developed. Multi-layer inkjet printing of the etching ink followed by Ag ink produced contacts under milder conditions and gave solar cells with efficiencies as high as 12%
Keywords :
antireflection coatings; copper; electrical contacts; elemental semiconductors; etching; interconnections; metallisation; nickel; printed circuits; printing; silicon; silicon compounds; silver; solar cells; vacuum deposition; 100 to 200 C; 850 C; Ag; Ag grids; Cu; Ni; Si; SiN; etching ink; metallizations; multilayer inkjet printed contacts; printed circuit board; silicon nitride AR layer; silicon solar cells; vacuum deposition; Adhesives; Conductors; Etching; Glass; Gold; Ink; Metallization; Photovoltaic cells; Printed circuits; Silicon;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on
Conference_Location :
Waikoloa, HI
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0017-1
Electronic_ISBN :
1-4244-0017-1
DOI :
10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279711