Towards back contact silicon solar cells with screen printed metallisation

Abstract

In this paper, a generic cost effective cell process based on screen printing for a variety of rear contacted solar cells is presented. After discussing the choice of the method for contact isolation, being one of the major problems in the field of back contact solar cells, results of solar cell structures based on this cell process are discussed. The discussed cells have become known as the metallisation wrap through (MWT), metallisation wrap around (MWA) and emitter wrap through (EWT) structures. The results for the screen printed versions of the MWT and MWA solar cells categorise amongst the best reported efficiencies for large area low cost back contact solar cells. The preliminary results on EWT cells indicate the high potential of the cell design.