US20130160847A1 - Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents
Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same Download PDFInfo
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- US20130160847A1 US20130160847A1 US13/772,596 US201313772596A US2013160847A1 US 20130160847 A1 US20130160847 A1 US 20130160847A1 US 201313772596 A US201313772596 A US 201313772596A US 2013160847 A1 US2013160847 A1 US 2013160847A1
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
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- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 54
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 11
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- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
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- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910021421 monocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012827 research and development Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008034 disappearance Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910003437 indium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PJXISJQVUVHSOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium(iii) oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[In+3].[In+3] PJXISJQVUVHSOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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- H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
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- H01L31/02005—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/02008—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/547—Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to a back contact solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same.
- Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-200267 proposes a so-called back contact solar cell with a p-type region and an n-type region formed on a back surface side of the solar cell.
- electrodes for collecting carriers do not necessarily need to be provided on a light-receiving surface. Accordingly, light-reception efficiency can be improved in a back contact solar cell, whereby improved conversion efficiency can be achieved.
- the solar cell described in Document 1 has a comb-teeth shaped electrode formed on each of the p-type region and on the n-type region.
- a method of applying a conductive paste and a sputtering method are described.
- a plating method can be used as an option other than the method using the conductive paste or the sputtering method as described above.
- the electrodes are formed in the plating method, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently improve conversion efficiency of the solar cell.
- An embodiment of the invention is made in view of this point, and aims to improve conversion efficiency of a back contact solar cell.
- a first aspect of the invention is a solar cell.
- the solar cell includes a solar cell substrate, a p-side electrode, and an n-side electrode.
- the solar cell substrate has a principal surface on which a p-type surface and an n-type surface are exposed.
- the p-side electrode includes a first linear portion.
- the first linear portion is formed on the p-type surface.
- the first linear portion extends in a first direction.
- the n-side electrode includes a second linear portion.
- the second linear portion is formed on the n-type surface so as to extend in the first direction.
- the second linear portion is arranged next to the first linear portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Corners of a tip end of at least one of the first and second linear portions are formed in a round shape.
- a second aspect of the invention is a method of manufacturing a solar cell.
- the solar cell includes: a solar cell substrate including a principal surface on which a p-type surface and an n-type surface are exposed; a p-side electrode formed on the p-type surface and including a first linear portion extending in a first direction; and an n-side electrode formed on the n-type surface so as to extend in the first direction and including a second linear portion arranged next to the first linear portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, corners of a tip end of at least one of the first and second linear portions being formed in a round shape.
- the method includes: obtaining a linear portion whose corners of tip end are formed in a round shape from among the first and second linear portions, by forming an electroplated coating on a seed layer which is provided on the p-type or n-type surface and whose corners of tip end are formed in a round shape.
- conversion efficiency of a back contact solar cell can be improved.
- FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-section taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-section taken along a line III-III of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion IV of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion V of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a comparative example.
- members having functions substantially common to the first embodiment are assigned common reference numerals.
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion taken along a line VII-VII of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-section of a solar cell of a second embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a third embodiment.
- solar cell 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an example. Note, however, that solar cell 1 is only an example. The invention is not limited to solar cell 1 in any way.
- solar cell 1 includes solar cell substrate 10 .
- Solar cell substrate 10 has back surface 10 a as a first principal surface, and light-receiving surface 10 b as a second principal surface.
- Back surface 10 a of solar cell substrate 10 includes a surface of p-type region 10 a 1 and a surface of n-type region 10 a 2 .
- solar cell substrate 10 includes semiconductor substrate 15 , n-type semiconductor layer 14 n, and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p.
- Semiconductor substrate 15 generates carriers by receiving light on its principal surface on a light-receiving surface side.
- carriers refer to holes and electrons generated when light is absorbed by semiconductor substrate 15 .
- Semiconductor substrate 15 is formed of a crystalline semiconductor substrate of n-type or p-type conductivity.
- Specific examples of the crystalline semiconductor substrate include crystalline silicon substrates such as a single-crystal silicon substrate and a polycrystalline silicon substrate, for example.
- the first embodiment describes an example in which semiconductor substrate 15 is formed of an n-type single-crystal silicon substrate.
- N-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are formed on the principal surface of semiconductor substrate 15 on a back surface side.
- N-type semiconductor layer 14 n forms n-type region 10 a 2
- p-type semiconductor layer 14 p forms p-type region 10 a 1 .
- n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p is formed in a comb-teeth shape.
- N-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are formed to interdigitate each other.
- p-type region 10 a 1 and n-type region 10 a 2 are formed in comb-teeth shapes which are inserted between each other.
- N-type semiconductor layer 14 n is formed of an n-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the principal surface of semiconductor substrate 15 on the back surface side.
- p-type semiconductor layer 14 p is formed of a p-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the principal surface of semiconductor substrate 15 on the back surface side.
- an i-type amorphous semiconductor layer may be interposed between semiconductor substrate 15 and n-type amorphous semiconductor layer 14 n, as well as between semiconductor substrate 15 and p-type amorphous semiconductor layer 14 p.
- the i-type amorphous semiconductor layer may be formed of an i-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer having a thickness which virtually does not contribute to power generation, for example.
- the p-type amorphous semiconductor layer is a semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity, to which a p-type dopant is added.
- the p-type amorphous semiconductor layer is made of a p-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
- the n-type amorphous semiconductor layer is a semiconductor layer of n-type conductivity, to which an n-type dopant is added.
- the n-type amorphous semiconductor layer is made of an n-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Note that although the thickness of each of the p-type and n-type amorphous semiconductor layers is not particularly limited, it may be about 20 angstroms to 500 angstroms, for example.
- N-side electrode 11 collecting electrons and p-side electrode 12 collecting holes are formed on back surface 10 a of solar cell substrate 10 .
- N-side electrode 11 is formed on a surface of n-type semiconductor layer 14 n.
- n-side electrode 11 is formed on an n-type surface of n-type region 10 a 2 .
- N-side electrode 11 includes fingers 11 a as linear portions and bus bar 11 b. Each of fingers 11 a linearly extends in a first direction y. Fingers 11 a are arranged in parallel at certain intervals in a second direction x orthogonal to the first direction y.
- Bus bar 11 b is arranged on one end side (y1 side) of fingers 11 a. Bus bar 11 b is formed to extend in the direction x. A y1-side end of each of fingers 11 a is connected to bus bar 11 b.
- P-side electrode 12 is formed on p-type semiconductor layer 14 p.
- p-side electrode 12 is formed on a p-type surface of p-type region 10 a 1 .
- P-side electrode 12 includes fingers 12 a as linear portions and bus bar 12 b. Each of fingers 12 a linearly extends in the direction y. Fingers 12 a and the aforementioned fingers 11 a are arranged alternately at certain intervals in the direction x. In other words, finger 12 a is arranged next to finger 11 a in the direction x.
- Bus bar 12 b is arranged on the other end side (y2 side) of fingers 12 a. Bus bar 12 b is formed to linearly extend in the direction x.
- a y2-side end of each of fingers 12 a is connected to bus bar 12 b.
- bus bar 12 b faces tip ends 11 a 1 of fingers 11 a in the direction y
- bus bar 11 b faces tip ends 12 a 1 of fingers 12 a in the direction y.
- corners of at least one of tip ends 11 a 1 of fingers 11 a and tip ends 12 a 1 of fingers 12 a are formed in a chamfered shape, or more preferably, in a round shape.
- the corners of both tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are formed in a chamfered shape, or more preferably in a round shape.
- radiuses of curvature r 1 , r 2 of corners of both tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are set to be 1 ⁇ 2 of widths W 1 , W 2 of fingers 11 a, 12 a. Accordingly, both tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are formed in a semicircular shape.
- each of corners formed in connection portions between bus bars 11 b, 12 b and fingers 11 a, 12 a is formed in a chamfered shape, i.e., a shape in which sides are not orthogonal to each other, or more preferably, formed in a round shape.
- portions 11 b 1 , 12 b 1 of bus bar 11 b, 12 b facing tip ends 12 a 1 , 11 a 1 of fingers 12 a, 11 a are formed in shapes corresponding to the shapes of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a, i.e., in a semicircular shape.
- bus bar 11 b, 12 b shown in FIG. 1 are also formed in a round shape. That is, in the first embodiment, all corners of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed in a round shape.
- solar cell substrate 10 is prepared.
- the method of manufacturing solar cell substrate 10 is not particularly limited, and solar cell 10 may be formed according to a known method, for example.
- solar cell substrate 10 can be manufactured by forming n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p on semiconductor substrate 15 according to a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, for example.
- CVD Chemical Vapor Deposition
- n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are not particularly limited, it is preferable that n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p have patterns in which corners of tip ends are formed in a round shape in correspondence with the patterns of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 . With this configuration, carriers can be collected efficiently from n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p to n-side electrode 11 or p-side electrode 12 .
- n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed.
- seed layer 17 having the same flat shape as n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 of the aforementioned shapes is formed on n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p.
- formed is a seed layer 17 whose corners including those at the tip ends are formed in a round shape.
- Seed layer 17 is not particularly limited as long as plating can be performed thereon.
- Seed layer 17 preferably has a surface layer made of Cu, Sn and the like.
- seed layer 17 is formed of a multilayer including a TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide) layer formed of a conductive oxide such as indium oxide, and a metal layer made of metal such as Cu, Sn and the like or an alloy containing one or more of these types of metal.
- the method of forming seed layer 17 is not particularly limited. Seed layer 17 may be formed by a CVD method, a sputtering method, or a deposition method, for example.
- the thickness of seed layer 17 is not particularly limited. The thickness of seed layer 17 may be about 100 nm to 500 nm, for example.
- electroplated coating 18 made of Cu, Sn and the like is formed by an electroplating method, for example, on seed layer 17 .
- electroplated coating 18 made of Cu, Sn and the like is formed by an electroplating method, for example, on seed layer 17 .
- n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 formed of a multilayer including seed layer 17 and electroplated coating 18 can be formed.
- the thickness of the electroplated coating formed by the electroplating method is correlated to the field intensity applied at the time of performing the electroplating.
- tip end 11 a 1 of finger 11 a and tip end 12 a 1 of finger 12 a is deformed, so that finger 11 a and finger 12 a may come into contact with each other and cause a short circuit. Occurrence of a short circuit between finger 11 a and finger 12 a lowers conversion efficiency of solar cell 100 .
- tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are formed in a round shape. With this, it is possible to avoid concentration of lines of electric force to peripheral portions of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 . Consequently, as shown in FIG. 3 , the difference in thicknesses of center portions of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 and the peripheral portions thereof can be reduced. More specifically, a ratio (t 2 /t 1 ) of thickness t 1 at the center portions of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 to thickness t 2 at the peripheral portions thereof can be reduced.
- corners at the connection portions between fingers 11 a, 12 a and bus bars 11 b, 12 b are also formed in a round shape.
- the thicknesses at peripheral portions of the corners at the connection portions between fingers 11 a, 12 a and bus bars 11 b, 12 b can also be reduced.
- tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are formed in a semicircular shape and portions 11 b 1 , 12 b 1 of bus bars 11 b, 12 b facing tip ends 12 a 1 , 11 a 1 of fingers 12 a, 11 a are formed in a semicircular shape.
- the thicknesses at peripheral portions of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 and portions 11 b 1 , 12 b 1 can be reduced.
- conversion efficiency of solar cell 1 is less likely to be lowered due to occurrence of a short circuit between n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 attributable to deformation of the peripheral portions of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 .
- the space between fingers 11 a and fingers 12 a can also be reduced. Hence, it is possible to avoid recombination and disappearance of holes being minority carriers, whereby high conversion efficiency can be achieved.
- n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 variation in electrical resistivity of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 can be reduced. Hence, it is possible to avoid concentration of electric fields of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 in a specific part at the time of power generation.
- radiuses of curvature of the corners of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 and of portions 11 b 1 , 12 b 1 are preferably within a range of 1 to 1 ⁇ 2 of widths of fingers 11 a, 12 a, or more preferably within a range of 3 ⁇ 4 to 1 ⁇ 2 thereof.
- radiuses of curvature of the corners of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 and of portions 11 b 1 , 12 b 1 are preferably set such that a ratio of the thickness of electroplated coating 18 at the center portion to the thickness of the electroplated coating at the peripheral portion is 1.2 or smaller, or more preferably set such that the ratio is 1 or smaller.
- FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-section of a solar cell of a second embodiment.
- the first embodiment describes an example in which solar cell substrate 10 is formed of semiconductor substrate 15 , n-type semiconductor layer 14 n, and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p.
- solar cell substrate 10 maybe formed of an n-type crystalline semiconductor substrate 15 including a first principal surface in which n + type thermal diffusion area 15 n and p-type thermal diffusion area 15 p are formed.
- An n-type dopant is thermally diffused in n+ type thermal diffusion area 15 n
- a p-type dopant is thermally diffused in p-type thermal diffusion area 15 p.
- FIG. 9 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a third embodiment.
- n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are respectively formed of fingers 11 a, 12 a and bus bars 11 b, 12 b.
- the invention is not limited to this configuration.
- n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 may respectively be formed of fingers 11 a. 12 a with no bus bar provided thereto.
- the first embodiment describes a case where all corners of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed in a round shape.
- the invention is not limited to this configuration.
- a configuration may be employed in which only corners of tip ends 11 a 1 , 12 a 1 of fingers 11 a, 12 a are formed in a chamfered shape.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/068543, filed on Aug. 16, 2011, entitled “SOLAR CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME”, which claims priority based on Article 8 of Patent Cooperation Treaty from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2010-187407, filed on Aug. 24, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This disclosure relates to a back contact solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Recently, solar cells have been drawing much attention as an energy source placing only a small load on the environment. For this reason, more and more research and development has been undertaken on solar cells. In particular, an important issue is how to improve conversion efficiency of solar cells. Hence, the research and development has been made especially actively for solar cells having improved conversion efficiency and methods of manufacturing such solar cells.
- As a solar cell with high conversion efficiency, Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-200267), for example, proposes a so-called back contact solar cell with a p-type region and an n-type region formed on a back surface side of the solar cell. In this back contact solar cell, electrodes for collecting carriers do not necessarily need to be provided on a light-receiving surface. Accordingly, light-reception efficiency can be improved in a back contact solar cell, whereby improved conversion efficiency can be achieved.
- Note that the solar cell described in Document 1has a comb-teeth shaped electrode formed on each of the p-type region and on the n-type region. In
Document 1, as methods of forming the electrodes, a method of applying a conductive paste and a sputtering method are described. - As the method of forming the electrodes, a plating method can be used as an option other than the method using the conductive paste or the sputtering method as described above. However, when the electrodes are formed in the plating method, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently improve conversion efficiency of the solar cell.
- An embodiment of the invention is made in view of this point, and aims to improve conversion efficiency of a back contact solar cell.
- A first aspect of the invention is a solar cell. The solar cell includes a solar cell substrate, a p-side electrode, and an n-side electrode. The solar cell substrate has a principal surface on which a p-type surface and an n-type surface are exposed. The p-side electrode includes a first linear portion. The first linear portion is formed on the p-type surface. The first linear portion extends in a first direction. The n-side electrode includes a second linear portion. The second linear portion is formed on the n-type surface so as to extend in the first direction. The second linear portion is arranged next to the first linear portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Corners of a tip end of at least one of the first and second linear portions are formed in a round shape.
- A second aspect of the invention is a method of manufacturing a solar cell. The solar cell includes: a solar cell substrate including a principal surface on which a p-type surface and an n-type surface are exposed; a p-side electrode formed on the p-type surface and including a first linear portion extending in a first direction; and an n-side electrode formed on the n-type surface so as to extend in the first direction and including a second linear portion arranged next to the first linear portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, corners of a tip end of at least one of the first and second linear portions being formed in a round shape. The method includes: obtaining a linear portion whose corners of tip end are formed in a round shape from among the first and second linear portions, by forming an electroplated coating on a seed layer which is provided on the p-type or n-type surface and whose corners of tip end are formed in a round shape.
- According to the aspects of the invention, conversion efficiency of a back contact solar cell can be improved.
-
FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a first embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-section taken along a line II-II ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-section taken along a line III-III ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion IV ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion V ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a comparative example. In the comparative example shown inFIG. 6 , members having functions substantially common to the first embodiment are assigned common reference numerals. -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged simplified plan view of a portion taken along a line VII-VII ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-section of a solar cell of a second embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a third embodiment. - Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention are described by using
solar cell 1 shown inFIG. 1 as an example. Note, however, thatsolar cell 1 is only an example. The invention is not limited tosolar cell 1 in any way. - In the drawings referenced in the embodiments and the like, members having substantially the same functions are assigned the same reference numerals. The drawings referenced in the embodiments and the like are schematic. Dimensional ratios and the like of objects depicted in the drawings may differ from actual dimensional ratios and the like of the objects. The dimensional ratios and the like may also differ among the drawings. Concrete dimensional ratios and the like of the objects should be determined in consideration of the following description.
- As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 ,solar cell 1 includessolar cell substrate 10.Solar cell substrate 10 hasback surface 10 a as a first principal surface, and light-receivingsurface 10 b as a second principal surface.Back surface 10 a ofsolar cell substrate 10 includes a surface of p-type region 10 a 1 and a surface of n-type region 10 a 2. - More specifically, in the first embodiment,
solar cell substrate 10 includessemiconductor substrate 15, n-type semiconductor layer 14 n, and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p. -
Semiconductor substrate 15 generates carriers by receiving light on its principal surface on a light-receiving surface side. Here, carriers refer to holes and electrons generated when light is absorbed bysemiconductor substrate 15.Semiconductor substrate 15 is formed of a crystalline semiconductor substrate of n-type or p-type conductivity. Specific examples of the crystalline semiconductor substrate include crystalline silicon substrates such as a single-crystal silicon substrate and a polycrystalline silicon substrate, for example. Hereinbelow, the first embodiment describes an example in whichsemiconductor substrate 15 is formed of an n-type single-crystal silicon substrate. - N-
type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are formed on the principal surface ofsemiconductor substrate 15 on a back surface side. N-type semiconductor layer 14 n forms n-type region 10 a 2, and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p forms p-type region 10 a 1. - Each of n-
type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p is formed in a comb-teeth shape. N-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are formed to interdigitate each other. Thus, p-type region 10 a 1 and n-type region 10 a 2 are formed in comb-teeth shapes which are inserted between each other. - N-
type semiconductor layer 14 n is formed of an n-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the principal surface ofsemiconductor substrate 15 on the back surface side. Meanwhile, p-type semiconductor layer 14 p is formed of a p-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the principal surface ofsemiconductor substrate 15 on the back surface side. Note that an i-type amorphous semiconductor layer may be interposed betweensemiconductor substrate 15 and n-typeamorphous semiconductor layer 14 n, as well as betweensemiconductor substrate 15 and p-typeamorphous semiconductor layer 14 p. In this case, the i-type amorphous semiconductor layer may be formed of an i-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer having a thickness which virtually does not contribute to power generation, for example. - The p-type amorphous semiconductor layer is a semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity, to which a p-type dopant is added. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the p-type amorphous semiconductor layer is made of a p-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Meanwhile, the n-type amorphous semiconductor layer is a semiconductor layer of n-type conductivity, to which an n-type dopant is added. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the n-type amorphous semiconductor layer is made of an n-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Note that although the thickness of each of the p-type and n-type amorphous semiconductor layers is not particularly limited, it may be about 20 angstroms to 500 angstroms, for example.
- N-
side electrode 11 collecting electrons and p-side electrode 12 collecting holes are formed onback surface 10 a ofsolar cell substrate 10. N-side electrode 11 is formed on a surface of n-type semiconductor layer 14 n. To be specific, n-side electrode 11 is formed on an n-type surface of n-type region 10 a 2. N-side electrode 11 includesfingers 11 a as linear portions andbus bar 11 b. Each offingers 11 a linearly extends in a first direction y.Fingers 11 a are arranged in parallel at certain intervals in a second direction x orthogonal to the first direction y.Bus bar 11 b is arranged on one end side (y1 side) offingers 11 a.Bus bar 11 b is formed to extend in the direction x. A y1-side end of each offingers 11 a is connected tobus bar 11 b. - P-
side electrode 12 is formed on p-type semiconductor layer 14 p. To be specific, p-side electrode 12 is formed on a p-type surface of p-type region 10 a 1. P-side electrode 12 includesfingers 12 a as linear portions andbus bar 12 b. Each offingers 12 a linearly extends in the direction y.Fingers 12 a and theaforementioned fingers 11 a are arranged alternately at certain intervals in the direction x. In other words,finger 12 a is arranged next to finger 11 a in the direction x.Bus bar 12 b is arranged on the other end side (y2 side) offingers 12 a.Bus bar 12 b is formed to linearly extend in the direction x. A y2-side end of each offingers 12 a is connected tobus bar 12 b. In addition,bus bar 12 b faces tip ends 11 a 1 offingers 11 a in the direction y, whereasbus bar 11 b faces tip ends 12 a 1 offingers 12 a in the direction y. - In the first embodiment, corners of at least one of tip ends 11 a 1 of
fingers 11 a and tip ends 12 a 1 offingers 12 a are formed in a chamfered shape, or more preferably, in a round shape. Specifically, the corners of both tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 offingers FIGS. 4 and 5 , radiuses of curvature r1, r2 of corners of both tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 offingers fingers fingers - Moreover, each of corners formed in connection portions between
bus bars fingers portions 11b b 1 ofbus bar fingers fingers - Furthermore,
other corners 11b b b 3, 12 b 3 ofbus bar FIG. 1 are also formed in a round shape. That is, in the first embodiment, all corners of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed in a round shape. - Next, a method of manufacturing
solar cell 1 is described. - First,
solar cell substrate 10 is prepared. The method of manufacturingsolar cell substrate 10 is not particularly limited, andsolar cell 10 may be formed according to a known method, for example. To be specific,solar cell substrate 10 can be manufactured by forming n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p onsemiconductor substrate 15 according to a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, for example. Note that although patterns of n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p are not particularly limited, it is preferable that n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p have patterns in which corners of tip ends are formed in a round shape in correspondence with the patterns of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12. With this configuration, carriers can be collected efficiently from n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p to n-side electrode 11 or p-side electrode 12. - Next, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed. At first,seed layer 17 having the same flat shape as n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 of the aforementioned shapes is formed on n-type semiconductor layer 14 n and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p. In other words, formed is aseed layer 17 whose corners including those at the tip ends are formed in a round shape. -
Seed layer 17 is not particularly limited as long as plating can be performed thereon.Seed layer 17 preferably has a surface layer made of Cu, Sn and the like. To be specific, it is preferable thatseed layer 17 is formed of a multilayer including a TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide) layer formed of a conductive oxide such as indium oxide, and a metal layer made of metal such as Cu, Sn and the like or an alloy containing one or more of these types of metal. The method of formingseed layer 17 is not particularly limited.Seed layer 17 may be formed by a CVD method, a sputtering method, or a deposition method, for example. The thickness ofseed layer 17 is not particularly limited. The thickness ofseed layer 17 may be about 100 nm to 500 nm, for example. - Next, electroplated
coating 18 made of Cu, Sn and the like is formed by an electroplating method, for example, onseed layer 17. Thus, n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 formed of a multilayer includingseed layer 17 and electroplatedcoating 18 can be formed. - The thickness of the electroplated coating formed by the electroplating method is correlated to the field intensity applied at the time of performing the electroplating. The higher the field intensity applied to the part to be electroplated, the thicker electroplated
coating 18 becomes. For this reason, if the applied field intensity differs among portions within the part to be electroplated, the thickness varies within the electroplated coating. Specifically, the electroplated coating at a portion to which high field intensity is applied becomes thicker than the electroplated coating at a portion to which low field intensity is applied. - Here, assume a case as in
solar cell 100 of a comparative example shown inFIG. 6 where corners of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are not formed in a round shape but are sharp, for example. In this case, lines of electric force concentrate in the corners of n-side electrode 11 and the corners of p-side electrode 12, and an electric field of high field intensity is applied thereto. As a result, as shown inFIG. 7 , a ratio (t4/t3) of thickness t4 at peripheral portions of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 to thickness t3 at center portions thereof becomes extremely large. Accordingly, the peripheral portions of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed to project sharply, and their strengths are lowered. Hence, at least one of tip end 11 a 1 offinger 11 a and tip end 12 a 1 offinger 12 a is deformed, so thatfinger 11 a andfinger 12 a may come into contact with each other and cause a short circuit. Occurrence of a short circuit betweenfinger 11 a andfinger 12 a lowers conversion efficiency ofsolar cell 100. - By enlarging the distance between n-
side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12, it is possible to avoid the short circuit betweenfinger 11 a andfinger 12 a. However, in this case, holes being minority carriers are likely to recombine and disappear before reaching p-side electrode 12. Thus, conversion efficiency of the solar cell is lowered. - On the other hand, in the first embodiment, tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 of
fingers FIG. 3 , the difference in thicknesses of center portions of tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 and the peripheral portions thereof can be reduced. More specifically, a ratio (t2/t1) of thickness t1 at the center portions of tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 to thickness t2 at the peripheral portions thereof can be reduced. Moreover, in the first embodiment, corners at the connection portions betweenfingers bus bars fingers bus bars fingers portions 11b b 1 ofbus bars fingers portions 11b b 1 can be reduced. As a result, conversion efficiency ofsolar cell 1 is less likely to be lowered due to occurrence of a short circuit between n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 attributable to deformation of the peripheral portions of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12. Accordingly, the space betweenfingers 11 a andfingers 12 a can also be reduced. Hence, it is possible to avoid recombination and disappearance of holes being minority carriers, whereby high conversion efficiency can be achieved. - In addition, since it is possible to reduce the thicknesses of the peripheral portions of n-
side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12, it is possible to avoid a poor appearance where a color tone at the peripheral portions differ from that at the center portions. - Moreover, variation in electrical resistivity of n-
side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 can be reduced. Hence, it is possible to avoid concentration of electric fields of n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 in a specific part at the time of power generation. - Note that the effects described above are those achievable when the corners of tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 and of
portions 11b b 1 are formed in a round shape. Note that in order to obtain a more preferable effect, radiuses of curvature of the corners of tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 and ofportions 11b b 1 are preferably within a range of 1 to ½ of widths offingers portions 11b b 1 are preferably set such that a ratio of the thickness of electroplatedcoating 18 at the center portion to the thickness of the electroplated coating at the peripheral portion is 1.2 or smaller, or more preferably set such that the ratio is 1 or smaller. - Hereinafter, a description is given of other examples of preferred embodiments of the invention. Note that in the following description of the embodiments, members having functions substantially common to the first embodiment are referred to as having the common function, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
-
FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-section of a solar cell of a second embodiment. - The first embodiment describes an example in which
solar cell substrate 10 is formed ofsemiconductor substrate 15, n-type semiconductor layer 14 n, and p-type semiconductor layer 14 p. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown inFIG. 8 ,solar cell substrate 10 maybe formed of an n-typecrystalline semiconductor substrate 15 including a first principal surface in which n+ typethermal diffusion area 15 n and p-typethermal diffusion area 15 p are formed. An n-type dopant is thermally diffused in n+ typethermal diffusion area 15 n, and a p-type dopant is thermally diffused in p-typethermal diffusion area 15 p. -
FIG. 9 is a simplified plan view of a solar cell of a third embodiment. - The first embodiment describes an example in which n-
side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are respectively formed offingers bus bars FIG. 9 , n-side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 may respectively be formed offingers 11 a. 12 a with no bus bar provided thereto. - The first embodiment describes a case where all corners of n-
side electrode 11 and p-side electrode 12 are formed in a round shape. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be employed in which only corners of tip ends 11 a 1, 12 a 1 offingers
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2013
- 2013-02-21 US US13/772,596 patent/US20130160847A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2015
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Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20150007879A1 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2015-01-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same |
US10833210B2 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2020-11-10 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same |
EP2822041B1 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2022-10-19 | LG Electronics, Inc. | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same |
CN103400870A (en) * | 2013-08-02 | 2013-11-20 | 浙江正泰太阳能科技有限公司 | Solar cell, electrode pattern design thereof and solar cell assembly |
WO2019092885A1 (en) * | 2017-11-13 | 2019-05-16 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Solar cell module |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9660132B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 |
JP5974300B2 (en) | 2016-08-23 |
JPWO2012026358A1 (en) | 2013-10-28 |
US20150162488A1 (en) | 2015-06-11 |
WO2012026358A1 (en) | 2012-03-01 |
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