Self-Aligned Front-Side Ni/Cu Metallization for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Abstract

A process for silicon solar cell fabrication associated with self–aligned Ni/Cu metallization is demonstrated with a reduced number of technological steps. After laser ablation of the anti-reflection coating, a nickel seed layer is formed by electroless chemical deposition followed by copper light-induced plating. Laboratory size solar cells were fabricated with different metal finger widths and spacings to evaluate the viability of the process. The best efficiency measured on 4 cm2 multi-crystalline solar cells was of the order of 16.5%. The limiting factors as well as possible improvements of the overall process are discussed.