US20170098721A1 - Solar Cell Apparatus and Method of Fabricating the Same - Google Patents
Solar Cell Apparatus and Method of Fabricating the Same Download PDFInfo
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- US20170098721A1 US20170098721A1 US15/380,677 US201615380677A US2017098721A1 US 20170098721 A1 US20170098721 A1 US 20170098721A1 US 201615380677 A US201615380677 A US 201615380677A US 2017098721 A1 US2017098721 A1 US 2017098721A1
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- solar cell
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- light absorbing
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- 239000000872 buffer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 69
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 30
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 9
- 229910017612 Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000427 thin-film deposition Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 description 6
- WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(oxolan-2-yl)propanoic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCC1CCCO1 WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229910052980 cadmium sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
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- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 238000007650 screen-printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052711 selenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
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- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005361 soda-lime glass Substances 0.000 description 1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/0445—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells including thin film solar cells, e.g. single thin film a-Si, CIS or CdTe solar cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/02—Details
- H01L31/0224—Electrodes
- H01L31/022408—Electrodes for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/022425—Electrodes for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells
- H01L31/022441—Electrode arrangements specially adapted for back-contact solar cells
- H01L31/02245—Electrode arrangements specially adapted for back-contact solar cells for metallisation wrap-through [MWT] type solar cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/0445—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells including thin film solar cells, e.g. single thin film a-Si, CIS or CdTe solar cells
- H01L31/046—PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
- H01L31/0463—PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate characterised by special patterning methods to connect the PV cells in a module, e.g. laser cutting of the conductive or active layers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/0445—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells including thin film solar cells, e.g. single thin film a-Si, CIS or CdTe solar cells
- H01L31/046—PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
- H01L31/0465—PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate comprising particular structures for the electrical interconnection of adjacent PV cells in the module
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/06—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/072—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the PN heterojunction type
- H01L31/0749—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the PN heterojunction type including a AIBIIICVI compound, e.g. CdS/CulnSe2 [CIS] heterojunction solar cells
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y02E10/541—CuInSe2 material PV cells
Definitions
- the embodiment relates to a solar cell apparatus and a method of fabricating the same.
- a method of fabricating a solar cell for solar light power generation is as follows. First, after preparing a substrate, a back electrode layer is formed on the substrate and patterned by a laser, thereby forming a plurality of back electrodes.
- a light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, and a high resistance buffer layer are sequentially formed on the back electrodes.
- Various schemes such as a scheme of forming a Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-light absorbing layer by simultaneously or separately evaporating Cu, In, Ga, and Se and a scheme of performing a selenization process after a metallic precursor film has been formed, have been extensively used in order to form the light absorbing layer.
- the energy band gap of the light absorbing layer is in the range of about 1 eV to about 1.8 eV.
- a buffer layer including cadmium sulfide (CdS) is formed on the light absorbing layer through a sputtering process.
- the energy bandgap of the buffer layer may be in the range of about 2.2 eV to about 2.4 eV.
- a high resistance buffer layer including zinc oxide (ZnO) is formed on the buffer layer through the sputtering process.
- the energy bandgap of the high resistance buffer layer is in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV.
- a groove pattern may be formed in the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the high resistance buffer layer.
- a transparent conductive material is laminated on the high resistance buffer layer, and is filled in the groove pattern. Therefore, a transparent electrode layer is formed on the high resistance buffer layer, and connection wires are formed in the groove pattern.
- a material constituting the transparent electrode layer and the connection wireless may include aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO).
- the energy bandgap of the transparent electrode layer may be in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV.
- the groove pattern is formed in the transparent electrode layer, so that a plurality of solar cells may be formed.
- the transparent electrodes and the high resistance buffers correspond to the cells, respectively.
- the transparent electrodes and the high resistance buffers may be provided in the form of a stripe or a matrix.
- the transparent electrodes and the back electrodes are misaligned from each other and electrically connected with each other through the connection wires. Accordingly, the solar cells may be electrically connected to each other in series.
- the embodiment provides a solar cell apparatus, capable of preventing a short phenomenon with improved performance, and a method of fabricating the same.
- the solar cell apparatus includes a back electrode layer on a substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, and a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer,
- the connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.
- a method of fabricating the solar cell includes forming a back electrode layer on a substrate, forming a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, forming a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, forming a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, forming a second through hole passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer after forming the front electrode layer, and forming a connection part in the second through hole.
- the connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.
- a dead zone may be reduced by the second and third through holes TH 2 and TH 3 . Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- the first to third through holes are formed at once, so that the process time and the cost can be reduced.
- the oxidation of the back electrode layer and the front electrode layer can be minimized. According, the contact resistance and the serial resistance can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased.
- the insulating part is provided in the first through holes. Accordingly, the leakage current can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased.
- the application of the offset value is not required.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to he first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment
- FIGS. 4 to 8 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIGS. 9 to 11 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment.
- each layer (film), each region, each pattern, or each structure shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for the purpose of convenience or clarity.
- the size of each layer (film), each region, each pattern, or each structure does not utterly reflect an actual size.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1 .
- the solar cell apparatus includes a support substrate 100 , a back electrode layer 200 , a light absorbing layer 300 , a buffer layer 400 , a high resistance buffer layer 500 , a front electrode layer 600 , an insulating part 700 , and a plurality of connection parts 800 .
- the support substrate 100 has a plate shape and supports the back electrode layer 200 , the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , the high resistance buffer layer 500 , the front electrode layer 600 , and the connection part 800 .
- the support substrate 100 may be an insulator.
- the support substrate 100 may be a glass substrate, aplastic substrate or a metal substrate.
- the support substrate 100 may be a soda lime glass substrate.
- the support substrate 100 may be transparent.
- the support substrate 100 may be rigid or flexible.
- the back electrode layer 200 is provided on the support substrate 100 .
- the back electrode layer 200 is a conductive layer,
- a material constituting the back electrode layer 200 may include metal such as molybdenum (Mo).
- the back electrode layer 200 may include two or more layers In this case, the layers may be formed by the same metal or different metals.
- the back electrode layer 200 is provided therein with first through holes TH 1 .
- the first through holes TH 1 pass through the back electrode layer 200 , the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , and the front electrode layer 600 .
- the first through holes TH 1 are open regions to expose the top surface of the support substrate 100 , When viewed in a plan view, first through holes TH 1 may have a shape extending in one direction.
- the first through holes TH1 may have a width in the range of about 80 ⁇ m to about 200 ⁇ m.
- the back electrode layer 200 is divided into a plurality of back electrodes by the first through holes TH 1 .
- the back electrodes are defined by the first through holes TH 1 .
- the back electrodes are spaced apart from each other by the first through holes TH 1 .
- the back electrodes are arranged in the form of a stripe.
- the back electrodes may be arranged in the form of a matrix.
- the first through holes TH 1 may be provided in the form of a lattice.
- the insulating part 700 is provided in the first through holes TH 1 .
- a portion of the connection part 800 may be provided in the first through holes TH 1 .
- the connection part 800 may be provided on the insulating part 700 . Accordingly, leakage current can be reduced, and a fill factor can be increased.
- a top surface 710 of the insulating part 700 is higher than a top surface 210 of the back electrode layer. Accordingly, the back electrode layer 200 may be insulated from the connection part 800 .
- the insulating part 700 may include polymer or a ceramic material.
- the light absorbing layer 300 is provided on the back electrode layer 200 .
- the light absorbing layer 300 includes a group I-III-VI compound.
- the light absorbing layer 300 may have the CIGSS (Cu(IN,Ga)(Se,S)2) crystal structure, the CISS (Cu(IN)(Se,S)2) crystal structure or the CGSS (Cu(Ga)(Se,S)2) crystal structure.
- the energy bandgap of the light absorbing layer 300 may be in the range of about 1 eV to about 1.8 eV.
- the buffer layer 400 is provided on the light absorbing layer 300 .
- the buffer layer 400 includes cadmium sulfide (CdS).
- the energy bandgap of the buffer layer 400 may be in the range of about 2.2 eV to about 2.4 eV.
- the high resistance buffer layer 500 is provided on the buffer layer 400 .
- the high resistance buffer layer 500 includes i-ZnO which is not doped with impurities.
- the energy bandgap of the high resistance buffer layer 500 may be in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV.
- the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , the high resistance buffer layer 500 , and the front electrode layer 600 are formed therein with second through holes TH 2 .
- the second through holes TH 2 pass through the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , the high resistance buffer layer 500 , and the front electrode layer 600 .
- the second through holes TH 2 are open regions to expose the top surface of the back electrode layer 200 .
- the second through holes TH 2 are adjacent to the first through holes TH 1 . In other words, when viewed in a plan view, portions of the second through holes TH 2 are formed beside the first through holes TH 1 .
- the second through holes TH 2 have a shape extending in a first direction.
- Each second through hole TH 2 may have a width in the range of about 80 ⁇ m to about 200 ⁇ m.
- a plurality of light absorbing parts 310 , 320 , 0 l and N are defined in the light absorbing layer 300 by second through holes TH 2 .
- the light absorbing layer 300 is divided into the light absorbing parts 310 , 320 , 0 N by the second through holes TH 2 .
- a plurality of buffers are defined in the buffer layer 400 by the second through holes TH 2 .
- the buffer layer 400 is divided into a plurality of buffers by the second through holes TH 2 .
- a plurality of high resistance buffers are defined in the high resistance buffer layer 500 by the second through holes TH 2 .
- the high resistance buffer layer 500 is divided into the high resistance buffers by the second through holes TH 2 .
- the front electrode layer 600 is provided on the high resistance buffer layer 500 .
- the front electrode layer 600 is transparent, and includes a conductive layer.
- the front electrode layer 600 has resistance greater than that of the back electrode layer 200 .
- the front electrode layer 600 includes an oxide.
- the front electrode layer 600 may include an Al doped zinc oxide (AZO), or a Ga doped zinc oxide (GZO).
- AZO Al doped zinc oxide
- GZO Ga doped zinc oxide
- the front electrode layer 600 has a thickness in the range of about 0.5 ⁇ m to about 1.5 ⁇ m.
- the front electrode layer 600 is divided into a plurality of front electrodes by the second through holes TH 2 . That is, the front electrodes are defined by the second through holes TH 2 .
- Third through holes TH 3 are formed beside the second through holes TH 2 .
- the third through holes TH 3 expose the top surface 210 of the back electrode layer 200 and passes through the light absorbing layer 300 .
- the front electrodes have a shape corresponding to that of the back electrodes.
- the front electrodes are disposed in the form of a stripe.
- the front electrodes may be disposed in the form of a matrix.
- a plurality of cells C 1 , C 2 , a and Cn are defined by the second through holes TH 2 .
- the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment is divided into the cells C 1 , C 2 , In and Cn by the second through holes TH 2 .
- the cells C 1 , C 2 , In and Cn are connected to each other in a second direction crossing a first direction. In other words, current may flow in the second direction through the cells C 1 , C 2 , re and Cn.
- connection parts 800 are provided at the inside of the second through holes TH 2 .
- a portion of the connection part 800 may be provided in the first through holes TH 1 .
- the portion of the connection part 800 may be provided on the insulating part 700 .
- connection part 8700 extends downward from the front electrode layer 600 and is connected to the back electrode layer 200 .
- connection parts 800 make contact with the front electrode layer 600 .
- the connection parts 800 pass through the light absorbing layer 300 while being connected to the back electrode layer 200 .
- each connection part 800 extends from a front electrode of the first cell C 1 and is connected to a back electrode of the second cell C 2 .
- connection parts 800 connect adjacent cells to each other.
- connection parts 800 connect front electrodes and back electrodes included in adjacent C 1 , C 2 , on and Cn to each other.
- connection part 800 includes a material different from that of the front electrode layer 600 .
- the connection part 800 may include metal.
- the connection part 800 may include aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), or silver (Ag).
- a dead zone may be reduced by the second and third through holes TH 2 and TH 3 . Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- the first to third through holes TH 1 , TH 2 , and TH 3 are formed after performing a deposition process up to the front electrode layer 600 .
- the first to third through holes TH 1 to TH 3 are formed at once, so that the process time and the cost can be reduced.
- the oxidation of the back electrode layer 200 and the front electrode layer 600 can be minimized. According, the contact resistance and the serial resistance can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased.
- the first through holes TH 1 are formed during the deposition process, and the stand-by time for a process is increased, so that the contact resistance is increased due to the oxidation of the back electrode layer 200 and the front electrode layer 600 .
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment.
- the second through holes (reference numeral TH 2 of FIG. 2 ) and the third through holes (reference numeral TH 3 of FIG. 2 ) according to the first embodiment are overlapped with each other to form second through holes th 2 .
- the connection part 800 may be provided in a portion of the second through holes th 2 .
- FIGS. 4 to 8 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- the back electrode layer 200 is formed on the support substrate 100 .
- the back electrode layer 200 may include molybdenum (Mo).
- Mo molybdenum
- the back electrode layer 200 may be formed with at least two layers through processes different from each other.
- a step of forming the light absorbing layer 300 on the back electrode layer 200 is performed.
- the light absorbing layer 300 may be formed through a sputtering process or an evaporation scheme.
- various schemes such as a scheme of forming a Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-light absorbing layer 300 by simultaneously or separately evaporating Cu, In, Ga, and Se and a scheme of performing a selenization process after forming a metallic precursor film have been extensively performed.
- CGS Cu(In,Ga)Se2
- the metallic precursor layer is formed on the back contact electrode 200 through a sputtering process employing a Cu target, an In target, or a Ga target.
- the metallic precursor layer is subject to the selenization process so that the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-light absorbing layer 300 is formed.
- the sputtering process employing the Cu target, the In target, and the Ga target and the selenization process may be simultaneously performed.
- a CIS or a CIG light absorbing layer 300 may be formed through a sputtering process employing only Cu and In targets or only Cu and Ga targets and the selenization process.
- the buffer layer 400 may be formed after depositing CdS through a sputtering process or a CBD (chemical bath deposition) scheme.
- the high resistance buffer layer 500 is formed by depositing zinc oxide on the buffer layer 400 through a sputtering process.
- the buffer layer 400 and the high resistance buffer layer 500 are deposited at a low thickness.
- the thicknesses of the buffer layer 400 and the high resistance buffer layer 500 may be in the range of about 1 nm to about 80 nm.
- a step of forming the front electrode layer 600 on the high resistance buffer layer 500 is performed.
- the front electrode layer 600 may be formed by depositing a transparent conductive material such as Al doped zinc oxide (AZO) on the high resistance buffer layer 500 through a sputtering process.
- AZO Al doped zinc oxide
- the first through holes TH 1 may be formed by a mechanical device such a tip.
- the back electrode layer 200 , the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , and the front electrode layer 600 may be mechanically patterned by a tip.
- the width of the tip may be in the range of about 40 ⁇ m to about 180 ⁇ m.
- a step of forming the second through holes TH 2 passing through the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , and the front electrode layer 600 is performed after the forming the front electrode layer 600 .
- the second through holes TH 2 may be formed adjacent to the first through holes TH 1 .
- the second through holes TH 2 may be patterned by a laser.
- the third through holes TH 3 may be formed beside the second through holes TH 2 to expose the top surface 210 for the back electrode layer 200 while passing through the light absorbing layer 300 .
- the third through holes TH 3 may be patterned by a laser.
- the insulating part 700 may be formed in the first through holes TH 1 .
- the top surface 710 of the insulating part 700 may be formed higher than the top surface 210 of the back electrode layer 200 .
- the insulating part 700 may be formed by inserting an insulating material including polymer or a ceramic material into the first through holes TH 1 through a screen printing scheme or a dispenser. Thereafter, a binder may be removed from the insulating material by curing the insulating material.
- connection part 800 may be formed on the top surface of the insulating part 700 and formed in the second through holes TH 2 .
- metallic paste formed by mixing metal and an organic binder may be inserted into the second through holes TH 2 .
- the metallic paste may be inserted through a screen printing scheme or a dispenser.
- a step of curing the metallic paste is performed.
- the step of curing the metallic paste may be performed at the temperature of 250° C. or less.
- the step of curing the metallic paste may be performed for 30 minutes or less.
- the binder may be removed from the metallic paste.
- the dead zone can be reduced through the second and third through holes TH 2 and TH 3 . Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- FIGS. 9 to 11 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment.
- a step of forming the first through holes th 1 passing through the back electrode layer 200 , the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , and the front electrode layer 600 is performed.
- the second through holes th 2 may pass through the light absorbing layer 300 , the buffer layer 400 , and the front electrode layer 600 .
- the insulating part 700 may be formed in the first through holes th 1 .
- the connection part 800 may be formed on the top surface 710 of the insulating part 700 and formed in a portion of the second through holes th 2 .
- any reference in this specification to through holes th 2 .art through holes 1 of the solar cell app. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
- the appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Abstract
According to the embodiment, there is provided a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes a back electrode layer on a substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, and a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer. The connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.
Description
- This application is the continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/352,802, filed Apr. 18, 2014, which is the U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2012/008447, filed Oct. 16, 2012, which claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2011-0106373, filed Oct. 18, 2011, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- The embodiment relates to a solar cell apparatus and a method of fabricating the same.
- A method of fabricating a solar cell for solar light power generation is as follows. First, after preparing a substrate, a back electrode layer is formed on the substrate and patterned by a laser, thereby forming a plurality of back electrodes.
- Thereafter, a light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, and a high resistance buffer layer are sequentially formed on the back electrodes. Various schemes, such as a scheme of forming a Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-light absorbing layer by simultaneously or separately evaporating Cu, In, Ga, and Se and a scheme of performing a selenization process after a metallic precursor film has been formed, have been extensively used in order to form the light absorbing layer. The energy band gap of the light absorbing layer is in the range of about 1 eV to about 1.8 eV.
- Then, a buffer layer including cadmium sulfide (CdS) is formed on the light absorbing layer through a sputtering process. The energy bandgap of the buffer layer may be in the range of about 2.2 eV to about 2.4 eV. After that, a high resistance buffer layer including zinc oxide (ZnO) is formed on the buffer layer through the sputtering process. The energy bandgap of the high resistance buffer layer is in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV.
- Thereafter, a groove pattern may be formed in the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the high resistance buffer layer.
- After that, a transparent conductive material is laminated on the high resistance buffer layer, and is filled in the groove pattern. Therefore, a transparent electrode layer is formed on the high resistance buffer layer, and connection wires are formed in the groove pattern. A material constituting the transparent electrode layer and the connection wireless may include aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO). The energy bandgap of the transparent electrode layer may be in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV.
- Then, the groove pattern is formed in the transparent electrode layer, so that a plurality of solar cells may be formed. The transparent electrodes and the high resistance buffers correspond to the cells, respectively. The transparent electrodes and the high resistance buffers may be provided in the form of a stripe or a matrix.
- The transparent electrodes and the back electrodes are misaligned from each other and electrically connected with each other through the connection wires. Accordingly, the solar cells may be electrically connected to each other in series.
- As described above, in order to convert the solar light into electrical energy, various solar cell apparatuses have been fabricated and used. One of the solar cell apparatuses is disclosed in Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0088744.
- The embodiment provides a solar cell apparatus, capable of preventing a short phenomenon with improved performance, and a method of fabricating the same.
- According to the embodiment, there is provided a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes a back electrode layer on a substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, and a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer, The connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.
- According to the embodiment, there is provided a method of fabricating the solar cell. The method includes forming a back electrode layer on a substrate, forming a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, forming a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, forming a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, forming a second through hole passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer after forming the front electrode layer, and forming a connection part in the second through hole. The connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.
- According to the present embodiment, a dead zone may be reduced by the second and third through holes TH2 and TH3. Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- In addition, after a thin film deposition process has been finished, the first to third through holes are formed at once, so that the process time and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the first to third through holes are formed after the thin film deposition process has been finished, the oxidation of the back electrode layer and the front electrode layer can be minimized. According, the contact resistance and the serial resistance can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased.
- Meanwhile, the insulating part is provided in the first through holes. Accordingly, the leakage current can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased.
- According to the method of fabricating the solar cell apparatus of the embodiment, after the thin film deposition process has been finished, since the first to third through holes are patterned after the support substrate has been completely heat-distorted, the application of the offset value is not required.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to he first embodiment, -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment; -
FIGS. 4 to 8 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment; and -
FIGS. 9 to 11 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment. - In the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that, when a layer (film), a region, a pattern, or a structure, is referred to as being e first to third through holes are patterned after the support substrate haother pad, or another pattern, it can be “directly” or “indirectly” on the other substrate, the other layer (film), the other region, the other pad, or the other pattern, one or more intervening layers may also be present. Such a position of each layer has been described with reference to the drawings.
- The thickness and size of each layer (film), each region, each pattern, or each structure shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for the purpose of convenience or clarity. In addition, the size of each layer (film), each region, each pattern, or each structure does not utterly reflect an actual size.
- Hereinafter, the embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
- First, hereinafter, the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment, andFIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG. 1 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the solar cell apparatus includes asupport substrate 100, aback electrode layer 200, alight absorbing layer 300, abuffer layer 400, a highresistance buffer layer 500, afront electrode layer 600, aninsulating part 700, and a plurality ofconnection parts 800. - The
support substrate 100 has a plate shape and supports theback electrode layer 200, thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, the highresistance buffer layer 500, thefront electrode layer 600, and theconnection part 800. - The
support substrate 100 may be an insulator. Thesupport substrate 100 may be a glass substrate, aplastic substrate or a metal substrate. In detail, thesupport substrate 100 may be a soda lime glass substrate. Thesupport substrate 100 may be transparent. Thesupport substrate 100 may be rigid or flexible. - The
back electrode layer 200 is provided on thesupport substrate 100. Theback electrode layer 200 is a conductive layer, For example, a material constituting theback electrode layer 200 may include metal such as molybdenum (Mo). - The
back electrode layer 200 may include two or more layers In this case, the layers may be formed by the same metal or different metals. - The
back electrode layer 200 is provided therein with first through holes TH1. The first through holes TH1 pass through theback electrode layer 200, thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600. The first through holes TH1 are open regions to expose the top surface of thesupport substrate 100, When viewed in a plan view, first through holes TH1 may have a shape extending in one direction. - The first through holes TH1 may have a width in the range of about 80 μm to about 200 μm.
- The
back electrode layer 200 is divided into a plurality of back electrodes by the first through holes TH1. In other words, the back electrodes are defined by the first through holes TH1. - The back electrodes are spaced apart from each other by the first through holes TH1. The back electrodes are arranged in the form of a stripe.
- In addition, the back electrodes may be arranged in the form of a matrix. In this case, when viewed in a plan view, the first through holes TH1 may be provided in the form of a lattice.
- Meanwhile, the insulating
part 700 is provided in the first through holes TH1. In addition, a portion of theconnection part 800 may be provided in the first through holes TH1. In detail, theconnection part 800 may be provided on the insulatingpart 700. Accordingly, leakage current can be reduced, and a fill factor can be increased. - A
top surface 710 of the insulatingpart 700 is higher than atop surface 210 of the back electrode layer. Accordingly, theback electrode layer 200 may be insulated from theconnection part 800. The insulatingpart 700 may include polymer or a ceramic material. - The light
absorbing layer 300 is provided on theback electrode layer 200. - The light
absorbing layer 300 includes a group I-III-VI compound. For example, thelight absorbing layer 300 may have the CIGSS (Cu(IN,Ga)(Se,S)2) crystal structure, the CISS (Cu(IN)(Se,S)2) crystal structure or the CGSS (Cu(Ga)(Se,S)2) crystal structure. - The energy bandgap of the
light absorbing layer 300 may be in the range of about 1 eV to about 1.8 eV. - The
buffer layer 400 is provided on thelight absorbing layer 300. Thebuffer layer 400 includes cadmium sulfide (CdS). The energy bandgap of thebuffer layer 400 may be in the range of about 2.2 eV to about 2.4 eV. - The high
resistance buffer layer 500 is provided on thebuffer layer 400. The highresistance buffer layer 500 includes i-ZnO which is not doped with impurities. The energy bandgap of the highresistance buffer layer 500 may be in the range of about 3.1 eV to about 3.3 eV. - The light
absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, the highresistance buffer layer 500, and thefront electrode layer 600 are formed therein with second through holes TH2. The second through holes TH2 pass through thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, the highresistance buffer layer 500, and thefront electrode layer 600. In addition, the second through holes TH2 are open regions to expose the top surface of theback electrode layer 200. - The second through holes TH2 are adjacent to the first through holes TH1. In other words, when viewed in a plan view, portions of the second through holes TH2 are formed beside the first through holes TH1. The second through holes TH2 have a shape extending in a first direction.
- Each second through hole TH2 may have a width in the range of about 80 μm to about 200 μm.
- A plurality of light absorbing
parts light absorbing layer 300 by second through holes TH2. In other words, thelight absorbing layer 300 is divided into thelight absorbing parts - A plurality of buffers are defined in the
buffer layer 400 by the second through holes TH2. In other words, thebuffer layer 400 is divided into a plurality of buffers by the second through holes TH2. - A plurality of high resistance buffers are defined in the high
resistance buffer layer 500 by the second through holes TH2. In other words, the highresistance buffer layer 500 is divided into the high resistance buffers by the second through holes TH2. - The
front electrode layer 600 is provided on the highresistance buffer layer 500. Thefront electrode layer 600 is transparent, and includes a conductive layer. In addition, thefront electrode layer 600 has resistance greater than that of theback electrode layer 200. - The
front electrode layer 600 includes an oxide. For example, thefront electrode layer 600 may include an Al doped zinc oxide (AZO), or a Ga doped zinc oxide (GZO). - The
front electrode layer 600 has a thickness in the range of about 0.5 μm to about 1.5 μm. Thefront electrode layer 600 is divided into a plurality of front electrodes by the second through holes TH2. That is, the front electrodes are defined by the second through holes TH2. Third through holes TH3 are formed beside the second through holes TH2. The third through holes TH3 expose thetop surface 210 of theback electrode layer 200 and passes through thelight absorbing layer 300. - The front electrodes have a shape corresponding to that of the back electrodes. In other words, the front electrodes are disposed in the form of a stripe. Alternatively, the front electrodes may be disposed in the form of a matrix.
- In addition, a plurality of cells C1, C2, a and Cn are defined by the second through holes TH2. In more detail, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment is divided into the cells C1, C2, In and Cn by the second through holes TH2. In addition, the cells C1, C2, In and Cn are connected to each other in a second direction crossing a first direction. In other words, current may flow in the second direction through the cells C1, C2, re and Cn.
- The
connection parts 800 are provided at the inside of the second through holes TH2. In addition, a portion of theconnection part 800 may be provided in the first through holes TH1. In other words, the portion of theconnection part 800 may be provided on the insulatingpart 700. - Each connection part 8700 extends downward from the
front electrode layer 600 and is connected to theback electrode layer 200. In detail, theconnection parts 800 make contact with thefront electrode layer 600. Theconnection parts 800 pass through thelight absorbing layer 300 while being connected to theback electrode layer 200. For example, eachconnection part 800 extends from a front electrode of the first cell C1 and is connected to a back electrode of the second cell C2. - Thus, the
connection parts 800 connect adjacent cells to each other. In more detail, theconnection parts 800 connect front electrodes and back electrodes included in adjacent C1, C2, on and Cn to each other. - The
connection part 800 includes a material different from that of thefront electrode layer 600. In detail, theconnection part 800 may include metal. For example, theconnection part 800 may include aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), or silver (Ag). - According to the present embodiment, a dead zone may be reduced by the second and third through holes TH2 and TH3. Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- In addition, as described above, the first to third through holes TH1, TH2, and TH3 are formed after performing a deposition process up to the
front electrode layer 600. In other words, after a thin film deposition process has been finished, the first to third through holes TH1 to TH3 are formed at once, so that the process time and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the first to third through holes TH1 to TH3 are formed after the thin film deposition process has been finished, the oxidation of theback electrode layer 200 and thefront electrode layer 600 can be minimized. According, the contact resistance and the serial resistance can be reduced, and the fill factor can be increased. In other words, according to the related art, the first through holes TH1 are formed during the deposition process, and the stand-by time for a process is increased, so that the contact resistance is increased due to the oxidation of theback electrode layer 200 and thefront electrode layer 600. - Hereinafter, a solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 3 . For the clear and brief explanation, the detail of the components the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the panel of a solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the second through holes (reference numeral TH2 ofFIG. 2 ) and the third through holes (reference numeral TH3 ofFIG. 2 ) according to the first embodiment are overlapped with each other to form second through holes th2. Theconnection part 800 may be provided in a portion of the second through holes th2. - Hereinafter, a method of fabricating the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 4 to 8 .FIGS. 4 to 8 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment. - First, referring to
FIG. 4 , theback electrode layer 200 is formed on thesupport substrate 100. Theback electrode layer 200 may include molybdenum (Mo). Theback electrode layer 200 may be formed with at least two layers through processes different from each other. - A step of forming the
light absorbing layer 300 on theback electrode layer 200 is performed. The lightabsorbing layer 300 may be formed through a sputtering process or an evaporation scheme. - For example, in order to form the
light absorbing layer 300, various schemes such as a scheme of forming a Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-lightabsorbing layer 300 by simultaneously or separately evaporating Cu, In, Ga, and Se and a scheme of performing a selenization process after forming a metallic precursor film have been extensively performed. - Regarding the details of the selenization process after forming the metallic precursor layer, the metallic precursor layer is formed on the
back contact electrode 200 through a sputtering process employing a Cu target, an In target, or a Ga target. - Thereafter, the metallic precursor layer is subject to the selenization process so that the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based-light
absorbing layer 300 is formed. - In addition, the sputtering process employing the Cu target, the In target, and the Ga target and the selenization process may be simultaneously performed.
- In addition, a CIS or a CIG
light absorbing layer 300 may be formed through a sputtering process employing only Cu and In targets or only Cu and Ga targets and the selenization process. - Thereafter, the
buffer layer 400 may be formed after depositing CdS through a sputtering process or a CBD (chemical bath deposition) scheme. - Thereafter, the high
resistance buffer layer 500 is formed by depositing zinc oxide on thebuffer layer 400 through a sputtering process. - The
buffer layer 400 and the highresistance buffer layer 500 are deposited at a low thickness. For example, the thicknesses of thebuffer layer 400 and the highresistance buffer layer 500 may be in the range of about 1 nm to about 80 nm. - A step of forming the
front electrode layer 600 on the highresistance buffer layer 500 is performed. Thefront electrode layer 600 may be formed by depositing a transparent conductive material such as Al doped zinc oxide (AZO) on the highresistance buffer layer 500 through a sputtering process. - Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 5 , a step of forming the first through holes TH1 passing through theback electrode layer 200, thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600 is performed. The first through holes TH1 may be formed by a mechanical device such a tip. In other words, theback electrode layer 200, thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600 may be mechanically patterned by a tip. The width of the tip may be in the range of about 40 μm to about 180 μm. - Subsequently, referring to
FIG. 6 , a step of forming the second through holes TH2 passing through thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600 is performed after the forming thefront electrode layer 600. The second through holes TH2 may be formed adjacent to the first through holes TH1. The second through holes TH2 may be patterned by a laser. - Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 7 , the third through holes TH3 may be formed beside the second through holes TH2 to expose thetop surface 210 for theback electrode layer 200 while passing through thelight absorbing layer 300. The third through holes TH3 may be patterned by a laser. - Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 8 , the insulatingpart 700 may be formed in the first through holes TH1. Thetop surface 710 of the insulatingpart 700 may be formed higher than thetop surface 210 of theback electrode layer 200. The insulatingpart 700 may be formed by inserting an insulating material including polymer or a ceramic material into the first through holes TH1 through a screen printing scheme or a dispenser. Thereafter, a binder may be removed from the insulating material by curing the insulating material. - Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 2 , theconnection part 800 may be formed on the top surface of the insulatingpart 700 and formed in the second through holes TH2. In the step of forming theconnection part 800, metallic paste formed by mixing metal and an organic binder may be inserted into the second through holes TH2. The metallic paste may be inserted through a screen printing scheme or a dispenser. - Thereafter, a step of curing the metallic paste is performed. The step of curing the metallic paste may be performed at the temperature of 250° C. or less. In addition, the step of curing the metallic paste may be performed for 30 minutes or less. Through the step of curing the metallic paste, the binder may be removed from the metallic paste.
- The dead zone can be reduced through the second and third through holes TH2 and TH3. Accordingly, the density of short current can be improved, so that the photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved.
- In addition, after the thin film deposition process has been finished, since the first to third through holes TH1 to TH3 are patterned after the
support substrate 100 has been completely heat-distorted, the application of the offset value is not required. - Hereinafter, the method of fabricating the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 9 to 11 . -
FIGS. 9 to 11 are sectional views showing the fabricating process of the panel of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , a step of forming the first through holes th1 passing through theback electrode layer 200, thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600 is performed. - Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 10 , a step of forming the second through holes th2 beside the first through holes till is performed. The second through holes th2 may pass through thelight absorbing layer 300, thebuffer layer 400, and thefront electrode layer 600. - Then, referring to
FIG. 11 , the insulatingpart 700 may be formed in the first through holes th1. Subsequently, referring toFIG. 3 , theconnection part 800 may be formed on thetop surface 710 of the insulatingpart 700 and formed in a portion of the second through holes th2. - Any reference in this specification to through holes th2.art through
holes 1 of the solar cell app., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. - Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (17)
1. A solar cell apparatus comprising:
a back electrode layer on a substrate;
a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer;
a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer;
a front electrode layer on the buffer layer;
a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer;
a first hole passing through the back electrode layer, the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer; and
a second hole formed adjacent to the first hole while passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer,
wherein the connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer;
wherein a top surface of the connection part is higher than a top surface of the front electrode layer;
wherein the connection part is disposed in the second hole, and spaced apart from the back electrode layer on the first hole.
2. The solar cell apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connection part includes metal.
3. The solar cell apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the connection part includes aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), or silver (Ag).
4. The solar cell apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a third hole formed beside the second hole while passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer.
5. The solar cell apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second hole is overlapped with a third hole.
6. The solar cell apparatus of claim 1 , a width of the first hole and a width of the second hole are different.
7. The solar cell apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating part in the first hole.
8. The solar cell apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the insulating part includes a polymer or a ceramic material.
9. A solar cell apparatus comprising:
a back electrode layer on a substrate;
a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer;
a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer;
a front electrode layer on the buffer layer;
a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer;
a first hole passing through the back electrode layer, the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer; and
a second hole formed adjacent to the first hole while passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer
wherein the connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer;
wherein a top surface of the connection part is higher than a top surface of the front electrode layer;
wherein the connection part includes a first portion overlapping with the first hole at a top surface of the front electrode layer; and a second portion overlapping with the second hole at a top surface of the front electrode layer,
wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the back electrode layer,
wherein the second portion makes contact with the back electrode layer.
10. The solar cell apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second portion is disposed in the second hole.
11. The solar cell apparatus claim 9 , wherein the connection part includes metal.
12. The solar cell apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the connection part includes aluminum (A nickel (Ni), or silver (Ag).
13. The solar cell apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a third hole formed beside the second hole while passing through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer, and the front electrode layer.
14. The solar cell apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second hole is overlapped with a third hole.
15. The solar cell apparatus of claim 9 , a width of the first hole and a width of the second hole are different,
16. The solar cell apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising an insulating part in the first hole.
17. The solar cell apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the insulating part includes a polymer or a ceramic material.
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US15/380,677 US20170098721A1 (en) | 2011-10-18 | 2016-12-15 | Solar Cell Apparatus and Method of Fabricating the Same |
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KR1020110106373A KR101283072B1 (en) | 2011-10-18 | 2011-10-18 | Solar cell apparatus and method of fabricating the same |
KR10-2011-0106373 | 2011-10-18 | ||
PCT/KR2012/008447 WO2013058524A1 (en) | 2011-10-18 | 2012-10-16 | Solar cell apparatus and method of fabricating the same |
US201414352802A | 2014-04-18 | 2014-04-18 | |
US15/380,677 US20170098721A1 (en) | 2011-10-18 | 2016-12-15 | Solar Cell Apparatus and Method of Fabricating the Same |
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KR100999797B1 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2010-12-08 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | Solar cell and method of fabricating the same |
KR101054988B1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2011-08-05 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | Photovoltaic device and its manufacturing method |
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2011
- 2011-10-18 KR KR1020110106373A patent/KR101283072B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2012
- 2012-10-16 US US14/352,802 patent/US9559223B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-10-16 CN CN201280062252.6A patent/CN103999235B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-10-16 WO PCT/KR2012/008447 patent/WO2013058524A1/en active Application Filing
-
2016
- 2016-12-15 US US15/380,677 patent/US20170098721A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20110041890A1 (en) * | 2007-11-19 | 2011-02-24 | Sheats James R | High-efficiency, high current solar cell and solar module |
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US20220173165A1 (en) * | 2020-11-27 | 2022-06-02 | Takaya Ito | Photoelectric conversion module, electronic device, and power supply module |
US11832461B2 (en) * | 2020-11-27 | 2023-11-28 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Photoelectric conversion module, electronic device, and power supply module |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN103999235B (en) | 2016-11-23 |
WO2013058524A1 (en) | 2013-04-25 |
KR101283072B1 (en) | 2013-07-05 |
CN103999235A (en) | 2014-08-20 |
US9559223B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 |
US20140261678A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
KR20130042206A (en) | 2013-04-26 |
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