WO2015060437A1 - 光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム - Google Patents
光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2015060437A1 WO2015060437A1 PCT/JP2014/078384 JP2014078384W WO2015060437A1 WO 2015060437 A1 WO2015060437 A1 WO 2015060437A1 JP 2014078384 W JP2014078384 W JP 2014078384W WO 2015060437 A1 WO2015060437 A1 WO 2015060437A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- photoelectric conversion
- layer
- conversion element
- type
- metal
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 241
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 240
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 240
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 155
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 152
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 105
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 abstract description 26
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 511
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 190
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 158
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 135
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 135
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 135
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 67
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 41
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 34
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 27
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 22
- 238000002161 passivation Methods 0.000 description 21
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 21
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 238000005268 plasma chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 16
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 13
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000005468 ion implantation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000001039 wet etching Methods 0.000 description 9
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 238000000206 photolithography Methods 0.000 description 8
- HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon nitride Chemical compound N12[Si]34N5[Si]62N3[Si]51N64 HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910021421 monocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000007790 solid phase Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000007740 vapor deposition Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000012808 vapor phase Substances 0.000 description 5
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorane Chemical compound F KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910052814 silicon oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 4
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silane Chemical compound [SiH4] BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001887 electron backscatter diffraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012495 reaction gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000077 silane Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Gallium Chemical compound [Ga] GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphine Natural products P XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000012670 alkaline solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052785 arsenic Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N arsenic atom Chemical compound [As] RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000000231 atomic layer deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium atom Chemical compound [In] APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910021424 microcrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 108091006149 Electron carriers Proteins 0.000 description 1
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitric acid Chemical compound O[N+]([O-])=O GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LEVVHYCKPQWKOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Si].[Ge] Chemical compound [Si].[Ge] LEVVHYCKPQWKOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003667 anti-reflective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021419 crystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001312 dry etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052732 germanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N germanium atom Chemical compound [Ge] GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017604 nitric acid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Al]O[Al]=O TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000073 phosphorus hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002230 thermal chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- H01L31/0248—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies
- H01L31/036—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their crystalline structure or particular orientation of the crystalline planes
-
- 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
- H01L31/0745—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 comprising a AIVBIV heterojunction, e.g. Si/Ge, SiGe/Si or Si/SiC solar cells
- H01L31/0747—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 comprising a AIVBIV heterojunction, e.g. Si/Ge, SiGe/Si or Si/SiC solar cells comprising a heterojunction of crystalline and amorphous materials, e.g. heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer or HIT® solar cells; 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
- H01L31/0216—Coatings
- H01L31/02161—Coatings for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/02167—Coatings for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- H01L31/0248—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies
- H01L31/0352—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
-
- 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
- H01L31/068—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 homojunction type, e.g. bulk silicon PN homojunction solar cells or thin film polycrystalline silicon PN homojunction solar cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S10/00—PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
-
- 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
- a back electrode type solar cell is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-281156.
- the back electrode type solar cell is formed on the back surface of the crystal semiconductor, the n-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the back surface of the crystal semiconductor opposite to the sunlight irradiation surface, and the back surface.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion element capable of improving element characteristics by reducing contact resistance between an amorphous semiconductor layer containing impurities and an electrode formed on the amorphous semiconductor layer. There is to do.
- the photoelectric conversion element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode.
- the first semiconductor layer has a first conductivity type.
- the second semiconductor layer has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.
- the first electrode is formed on the first semiconductor layer.
- the second electrode is formed on the second semiconductor layer.
- the first electrode includes a first transparent conductive layer and a first metal layer.
- the first transparent conductive layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer.
- the first metal layer is formed on the first transparent conductive layer.
- the first metal layer includes a plurality of metal crystal grains whose average crystal grain size in the in-plane direction of the first metal layer is larger than the thickness of the first metal layer.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the embodiment of the present invention improves element characteristics by suppressing an increase in contact resistance between an amorphous semiconductor layer containing impurities and an electrode formed on the amorphous silicon layer. be able to.
- FIG. 1 It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the photoelectric conversion element by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the photoelectric conversion element shown in FIG. 1, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows a silicon substrate. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the photoelectric conversion element shown in FIG. 1, Comprising: An intrinsic
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the second aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the first aspect, wherein the first metal layer contains silver as a main component.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the metal crystal grains have a crystal axis ⁇ 111> parallel to the thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. Priority orientation in the direction.
- the fifth aspect it is possible to suppress an increase in contact resistance between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first conductivity type is n-type.
- the average crystal grain size is 2.85 times or less the thickness of the first metal layer.
- the contact resistance between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer can be further suppressed.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first conductivity type is n-type.
- the average crystal grain size is not less than 1.55 times the thickness of the first metal layer and not more than 2.85 times.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first conductivity type is p-type.
- the average crystal grain size is not more than 3.3 times the thickness of the first metal layer.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first conductivity type is p-type.
- the average crystal grain size is 1.03 times or more and 2.95 times or less the thickness of the first metal layer.
- the contact resistance between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer can be further suppressed.
- the contact resistance between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer can be further suppressed.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second electrode is a second transparent conductive layer formed on the second semiconductor layer. And a second metal layer formed on the second transparent conductive layer.
- the second metal layer includes a plurality of metal crystal grains.
- the contact area between the second electrode and the second semiconductor layer is one or more times the contact area between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer.
- the average value of the average crystal grain size of the metal crystal grains in the first metal layer and the average crystal grain size of the metal crystal grains in the second metal layer is 1.03 times or more the thickness of the first metal layer and the second metal layer. And 2.15 times or less.
- the element characteristics can be improved.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the first aspect, wherein the first semiconductor layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate and includes a first conductivity type amorphous semiconductor. A third semiconductor layer including an intrinsic amorphous semiconductor is formed between the semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor layer.
- the passivation of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate is improved as compared with the case where the first semiconductor layer is formed directly on the semiconductor substrate.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor is hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
- the passivation property of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate is further improved.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the first conductivity type amorphous semiconductor is hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
- deterioration of the contact interface between the first electrode and the first semiconductor layer can be suppressed.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the first aspect, wherein the second electrode includes a second transparent conductive layer and a second metal layer.
- the second transparent conductive layer is formed on the second semiconductor layer.
- the second metal layer is formed on the second transparent conductive layer.
- the second metal layer includes a plurality of metal crystal grains whose average crystal grain size in the in-plane direction of the second metal layer is larger than the thickness of the second metal layer.
- the contact resistance between the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer can be lowered.
- the element characteristics of the photoelectric conversion element can be further improved.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the second semiconductor layer is formed in contact with the semiconductor substrate and includes a second conductivity type amorphous semiconductor. .
- a fourth semiconductor layer including an intrinsic amorphous semiconductor is formed between the semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor layer.
- the passivation property of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate is improved as compared with the case where the second semiconductor layer is directly formed on the semiconductor substrate.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor is hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
- the passivation property of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate is further improved.
- the photoelectric conversion element according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the photoelectric conversion element according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the second conductivity type amorphous semiconductor is hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
- deterioration of the contact interface between the second electrode and the second semiconductor layer can be suppressed.
- the photoelectric conversion module according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the photoelectric conversion element according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects of the present invention.
- the performance of the photoelectric conversion module can be improved.
- the photoelectric conversion system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the photoelectric conversion module according to the first aspect of the present invention.
- the performance of the photoelectric conversion system can be improved.
- FIG. 1 shows a photoelectric conversion element 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the photoelectric conversion element 10 is a back electrode type solar cell.
- the photoelectric conversion element 10 includes a silicon substrate 12, a passivation film 14, an antireflection film 16, intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19, an n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n, and a p-type amorphous silicon layer. 20p, an electrode 22n, and an electrode 22p.
- the plane orientation of the silicon substrate 12 is preferably (100). Thereby, formation of a texture structure becomes easy.
- the light receiving surface of the silicon substrate 12 is covered with a passivation film 14.
- the passivation film 14 is, for example, a hydrogenated amorphous silicon film.
- the thickness of the passivation film 14 is, for example, 3 to 30 nm. Note that a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or the like may be used as the passivation film 14 instead of the hydrogenated amorphous silicon film.
- Intrinsic amorphous silicon 18 and 19 are made of, for example, i-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H).
- the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 is formed on a part of the back surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 19 is formed adjacent to the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12. That is, the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19 are alternately formed on the entire back surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- the thickness of the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19 is, for example, 10 nm. In the example shown in FIG.
- an n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18.
- the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H (n)) containing an n-type impurity (for example, phosphorus).
- the thickness of the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is, for example, 10 nm.
- the impurity concentration of the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is, for example, 1 ⁇ 10 19 cm ⁇ 3 to 1 ⁇ 10 21 cm ⁇ 3 .
- the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n may be composed only of an amorphous phase, or may be composed of a fine crystalline phase and an amorphous phase.
- An example of the case where it consists of a fine crystal phase and an amorphous phase is, for example, n-type microcrystalline silicon.
- a p-type amorphous silicon layer 20 p is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 19.
- the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H (p)) containing a p-type impurity (for example, boron).
- the thickness of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is, for example, 10 nm.
- the impurity concentration of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is, for example, 1 ⁇ 10 19 cm ⁇ 3 to 1 ⁇ 10 21 cm ⁇ 3 .
- the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p may be composed of only an amorphous phase, or may be composed of a fine crystalline phase and an amorphous phase.
- An example of the case where it consists of a fine crystal phase and an amorphous phase is, for example, p-type microcrystalline silicon.
- the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is formed adjacent to the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the layer 20 n may be formed on at least part of the amorphous silicon layer 18, and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20 p may be formed on at least part of the amorphous silicon layer 19. Good.
- the width dimension of the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is preferably smaller than the width dimension of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the ratio of the area of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p to the sum of the area of the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n and the area of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is The higher the number, the smaller the distance that the photogenerated minority carriers (holes) must move before reaching the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- a preferred area ratio of the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is 63 to 90%.
- a texture structure may be formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- irregularities corresponding to the texture structure of the back surface of the silicon substrate 12 are formed in the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19, the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n, and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the electrode 22n is formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n.
- the electrode 22n includes a transparent conductive layer 26n and a metal layer 28n.
- the transparent conductive layer 26n is made of, for example, ITO.
- the thickness of the transparent conductive layer 26n is, for example, 0.1 to 20 nm.
- the metal layer 28n contains silver as a main component.
- the metal layer 28n may contain a metal other than silver (for example, titanium or the like).
- the thickness of the metal layer 28n is, for example, 100 to 1000 nm.
- An electrode 22p is formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the electrode 22p includes a transparent conductive layer 26p and a metal layer 28p.
- the transparent conductive layer 26p is made of, for example, ITO.
- the thickness of the transparent conductive layer 26p is, for example, 0.1 to 20 nm.
- the metal layer 28p contains silver as a main component.
- the metal layer 28p may contain a metal other than silver (for example, titanium or the like).
- the thickness of the metal layer 28p is, for example, 100 to 1000 nm.
- a texture structure When a texture structure is formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12, the adhesion between the electrode 22n and the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n, and the adhesion between the electrode 22p and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p. Will improve. Thereby, the yield and reliability of the photoelectric conversion element 10 are improved. Furthermore, the contact area between the electrode 22n and the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n and the contact area between the electrode 22p and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p are larger than when the back surface of the silicon substrate 12 is flat. Thus, the contact resistance is reduced. Note that a texture may be formed in any one of a region including at least part of a region overlapping with the electrode 22n or a region including at least part of a region overlapping with the electrode 22p when viewed from the thickness direction of the silicon substrate 12. Good.
- a silicon substrate 12 is prepared.
- the silicon substrate 12 has a texture structure on the entire light receiving surface.
- a method for forming the texture structure is, for example, wet etching.
- wet etching By performing wet etching on the entire light receiving surface of the silicon substrate 12, a texture structure is formed on the entire light receiving surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- the wet etching is performed using, for example, an alkaline solution.
- the wet etching time is, for example, 10 to 60 minutes.
- the alkaline solution used for wet etching is, for example, NaOH or KOH, and its concentration is, for example, 5%.
- intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19 are formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12, and an n-type amorphous semiconductor layer 20n is formed on the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor layer 18.
- a p-type amorphous semiconductor layer 20 p is formed on the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor layer 19.
- the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19 can be formed by plasma CVD, for example.
- the reaction gas introduced into the reaction chamber with which a plasma CVD apparatus is provided is silane gas and hydrogen gas.
- the temperature of the silicon substrate 12 is, for example, 100 to 300 ° C.
- a p-type amorphous silicon layer is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19.
- the p-type amorphous silicon layer can be formed by plasma CVD, for example.
- the reaction gas introduced into the reaction chamber with which a plasma CVD apparatus is provided is silane gas, hydrogen gas, and diborane gas.
- the temperature of the silicon substrate 12 is, for example, 100 to 300 ° C.
- a coating layer as a mask is formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer.
- This covering layer can be obtained, for example, by patterning a silicon nitride film formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer. Instead of the silicon nitride film, a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film may be used. The patterning is performed by, for example, a photolithography method.
- the covering layer is a portion of the p-type amorphous silicon layer formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layers 18 and 19, which later becomes the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20 p, that is, the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 19.
- the p-type amorphous silicon layer formed thereon is covered.
- the p-type amorphous silicon layer formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 is removed.
- the method for removing the p-type amorphous silicon layer may be dry etching or wet etching.
- a p-type amorphous silicon layer 20 p is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 19.
- a coating layer is formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- an n-type amorphous silicon layer is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 and on the covering layer formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the n-type amorphous silicon layer can be formed by plasma CVD, for example.
- the reaction gas introduced into the reaction chamber with which a plasma CVD apparatus is provided is silane gas, hydrogen gas, and phosphine gas.
- the temperature of the silicon substrate 12 is, for example, 100 to 300 ° C.
- the coating layer formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is removed.
- an n-type amorphous silicon layer 20 n is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18.
- the method for removing the coating layer formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is, for example, wet etching.
- a passivation film 14 is formed on the light receiving surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- the passivation film 14 is formed by, for example, plasma CVD.
- an antireflection film 16 is formed on the passivation film 14.
- the antireflection film 16 is formed by, for example, forming a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or the like by plasma CVD, for example.
- transparent conductive layers 26n and 26p and metal layers 21n and 21p are formed.
- the method for forming the transparent conductive layers 26n and 26p and the metal layers 21n and 21p is, for example, as follows.
- a transparent conductive layer made of ITO and a metal layer made of silver are formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p by vapor deposition or sputtering.
- a resist pattern as a mask is formed on the metal film.
- the resist pattern can be obtained by patterning a resist formed on the metal film. The patterning is performed by, for example, photolithography and etching. The resist pattern does not overlap the boundary between the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p when viewed from the thickness direction of the silicon substrate 12.
- the resist pattern is removed.
- the transparent conductive layer 26n and the metal layer 21n are formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n, and the transparent conductive layer 26p and the metal layer 21p are formed on the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p.
- the method for removing the resist pattern is, for example, wet etching.
- the crystal orientation of the metal crystal grains is preferentially oriented to ⁇ 111>.
- the work function of the metal crystal grains at the interface between the transparent conductive layer 26n and the metal layer 28n and the metal crystal at the interface between the transparent conductive layer 26p and the metal layer 28p Uniformity of grain work function is improved. As a result, variation in contact resistance can be suppressed.
- the work functions of the ⁇ 110 ⁇ plane, ⁇ 100 ⁇ plane, and ⁇ 111 ⁇ plane of silver are 4.52 eV, 4.64 eV, and 4.74 eV, respectively, and the work function of the ⁇ 111 ⁇ plane is the largest.
- FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the average crystal grain size and the contact resistance.
- the average crystal grain size in the metal layer 28n is preferably larger than 0.4 ⁇ m, larger than 0.4 ⁇ m, and smaller than 1.33 ⁇ m. More preferably, it is larger than 0.4 ⁇ m and is preferably 1.14 ⁇ m or less, more preferably 0.62 ⁇ m or more and 1.14 ⁇ m or less. In this case, the contact resistance becomes very low and the device characteristics are improved.
- the contact area between the electrode 22p and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is at least one times the contact area between the electrode 22n and the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n, and the average crystal grain
- the average value of the diameters was 0.41 ⁇ m or more and 0.86 ⁇ m or less, the cell resistance was lower than that without heat treatment. Accordingly, the average value of the average crystal grain size is preferably 1.03 times or more and 2.15 times or less the thickness of the metal layer 28n and the thickness of the metal layer 29n.
- the thickness of the metal layers 28n and 28p is 0.4 ⁇ m, and the contact area between the electrode 22p and the p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p is the same as that of the electrode 22n and the n-type amorphous silicon layer.
- the measurement result in the case of 3 times the contact area with 20n is shown.
- the device characteristics specifically, the conversion efficiency ⁇ and the fill factor FF are improved. .
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a photoelectric conversion element 10A according to Application Example 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the photoelectric conversion element 10 ⁇ / b> A does not include the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 compared to the photoelectric conversion element 10.
- an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer, an n-type amorphous silicon layer, and a coating layer are formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12 in this order.
- the coating layer, the n-type amorphous silicon layer, and the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer are patterned to expose a part of the silicon substrate 12 and to remove the n-type non-crystalline layer.
- a crystalline silicon layer 20n and an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 are formed.
- a coating layer is formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n.
- a p-type amorphous silicon layer is formed on the covering layer formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20 n and on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12.
- the coating layer formed on the n-type amorphous silicon layer 20n is removed. Thereby, an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18 and a p-type amorphous silicon layer 20p are formed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 12, and an n-type amorphous silicon layer 18 is formed on the intrinsic amorphous silicon layer 18.
- a silicon layer 20n is formed.
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a photoelectric conversion element 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the photoelectric conversion element 50 includes a silicon substrate 52, an amorphous film 54, an amorphous film 56, an electrode 58, an insulating film 60, and an electrode 62.
- the p-type diffusion layer 64p includes, for example, boron (B) as a p-type impurity.
- the maximum concentration of boron (B) is, for example, 1 ⁇ 10 18 cm ⁇ 3 to 1 ⁇ 10 20 cm ⁇ 3 .
- the p-type diffusion layer 64p has a thickness of 50 to 1000 nm, for example.
- the other description of the silicon substrate 52 is the same as the description of the silicon substrate 12.
- the amorphous film 54 is disposed in contact with the surface of the silicon substrate 52 on the light incident side.
- the amorphous film 54 includes at least an amorphous phase and is made of, for example, a-Si: H.
- the film thickness of the amorphous film 54 is, for example, 1 to 20 nm.
- the insulating film 60 is disposed in contact with the back surface of the silicon substrate 52.
- the insulating film 60 is made of, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, or the like.
- the insulating film 60 has a thickness of 50 to 1000 nm, for example.
- the electrode 62 is disposed so as to penetrate the insulating film 60 and contact the n-type diffusion layer 64n of the silicon substrate 52 and cover the insulating film 60.
- the electrode 62 includes a transparent conductive layer 62A and a metal layer 62B.
- the transparent conductive layer 62A is in contact with the n-type diffusion layer 64n.
- the transparent conductive layer 62A is made of, for example, ITO.
- the thickness of the transparent conductive layer 62A is, for example, 0.1 to 20 nm.
- the metal layer 62B is in contact with the transparent conductive layer 62A.
- the metal layer 62B contains silver as a main component.
- the metal layer 62B may contain a metal other than silver.
- the thickness of the metal layer 62B is, for example, 100 to 1000 nm.
- an insulating film 60 is formed on the entire back surface of the silicon substrate 52.
- the insulating film 60 is formed by, for example, a plasma CVD method.
- the insulating film 60 may be formed by an ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) method, a thermal CVD method, or the like.
- a p-type diffusion layer 64p is formed on the silicon substrate 52.
- p-type impurities such as B, gallium (Ga), and indium (In) are ion-implanted into the silicon substrate 52 from the light incident side.
- the p-type diffusion layer 64p is formed on the light incident side of the silicon substrate 52.
- heat treatment for electrically activating the p-type impurity may be performed after the ion implantation.
- the p-type diffusion layer 64p is not limited to ion implantation, and may be formed by a vapor phase diffusion method, a solid phase diffusion method, or the like. Instead of the ion implantation method, a vapor phase diffusion method, a solid phase diffusion method, a plasma doping method, an ion doping method, or the like may be used.
- an amorphous film 54 is formed on the light receiving surface of the silicon substrate 52.
- the amorphous film 54 is formed by, for example, plasma CVD.
- an amorphous film 56 is formed on the amorphous film 54.
- the amorphous film 56 is formed by, for example, plasma CVD.
- transparent conductive layers 58A and 62A and metal layers 581B and 621B are formed.
- the method for forming the transparent conductive layers 58A and 62A and the metal layers 581B and 621B is, for example, as follows.
- a resist is applied to the entire surface of the amorphous film 56.
- the resist is patterned by a photolithography method to form a resist pattern.
- the amorphous film 56 and a part of the amorphous film 54 are etched using a mixed solution of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid or the like using the resist pattern as a mask.
- the resist pattern is removed. Thereby, a part of the p-type diffusion layer 64p is exposed.
- a transparent conductive layer and a metal layer are formed using a vapor deposition method, a sputtering method, or the like.
- the transparent conductive layer and the metal layer are patterned. Thereby, the transparent conductive layer 58A and the metal layer 581B are formed.
- the transparent conductive layer 62A and the metal layer 621B are formed by vapor deposition or sputtering.
- the metal layers 581B and 621B are heat-treated to form the electrodes 58 and 62.
- the heat treatment is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Thereby, as shown to FIG. 16G, the photoelectric conversion element 50 is obtained.
- a p-type diffusion layer 64p provided on the entire surface of the silicon substrate 52 forms a depletion layer on the entire light receiving surface side of the silicon substrate 52, and a lateral surface by the p-type diffusion layer 64p.
- a high passivation effect can be obtained by the amorphous film 54 (for example, i-type a-Si: H) provided on the surface of the silicon substrate 52.
- the passivation performance deteriorates due to high-temperature treatment (for example, 300 ° C. or higher). Resistance is obtained.
- the photoelectric conversion element 50 may include an n-type diffusion layer instead of the p-type diffusion layer 64p, and may include a p-type diffusion layer instead of the n-type diffusion layer 64n.
- the conductivity type of the silicon substrate 52 may be p-type.
- the amorphous film 72 includes at least an amorphous phase and is made of, for example, p-type a-Si: H.
- the amorphous film 72 has a thickness of 1 to 30 nm, for example.
- the amorphous film 72 is disposed on the amorphous film 70 in contact with the amorphous film 70.
- the electrode 76 is not in direct contact with the silicon substrate 52, and the surface of the silicon substrate 52 is covered with the amorphous film 70. Therefore, even better passivation characteristics than the photoelectric conversion element 50 are obtained. It is done. As a result, the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved.
- the manufacturing method of the photoelectric conversion element 50A is a method of changing the process of forming the amorphous film 54 to the process of forming the amorphous film 70 and the amorphous film 72 in the manufacturing method of the photoelectric conversion element 50, and
- the step of forming the electrode 58 may be changed to the step of forming the electrode 76.
- the amorphous thin film 84 includes at least an amorphous phase and is made of, for example, i-type a-Si: H or n-type a-Si: H.
- the film thickness of the amorphous thin film 84 is, for example, 1 to 20 nm.
- the amorphous thin film 84 is disposed on the silicon substrate 82 in contact with the back surface of the silicon substrate 82 opposite to the light incident side.
- the electrode 88 is disposed on the amorphous thin film 86 through the amorphous thin films 84 and 86 and in contact with the n-type diffusion layer 90n.
- the electrode 88 includes a transparent conductive layer 88A and a metal layer 88B.
- the transparent conductive layer 88A is in contact with the n-type diffusion layer 90n.
- the transparent conductive layer 88A is made of, for example, ITO.
- the thickness of the transparent conductive layer 88A is, for example, 0.1 to 20 nm.
- the metal layer 88B is in contact with the transparent conductive layer 88A.
- the metal layer 88B contains silver as a main component.
- the metal layer 88B may contain a metal other than silver.
- the thickness of the metal layer 88B is, for example, 100 to 1000 nm.
- amorphous thin films 84 and 86 are sequentially stacked on the back surface of the silicon substrate 82.
- the amorphous films 84 and 86 are formed by, for example, plasma CVD.
- transparent conductive layers 58A and 88A and metal layers 581B and 881B are formed.
- the transparent conductive layers 58A and 88A and the metal layers 581B and 881B are formed as follows.
- a resist is applied to the entire surface of the amorphous film 56. Subsequently, the resist is patterned by a photolithography method to form a resist pattern. Subsequently, the amorphous film 56 and a part of the amorphous film 54 are etched using the resist pattern as a mask. Subsequently, the resist pattern is removed. Thereby, a part of the p-type diffusion layer 64p is exposed. Subsequently, a transparent conductive layer and a metal layer are formed using a vapor deposition method, a sputtering method, or the like. Subsequently, the transparent conductive layer and the metal layer are patterned. Thereby, the transparent conductive layer 58A and the metal layer 581B are formed.
- FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a photoelectric conversion element 80A according to Application Example 1 of the third embodiment.
- the photoelectric conversion element 80 ⁇ / b> A includes an amorphous film 70 and an amorphous film 72 instead of the amorphous film 54 as compared with the photoelectric conversion element 80.
- an amorphous film 94 and an amorphous film 96 are provided.
- an electrode 58 is provided.
- An electrode 98 is provided instead of the electrode 88.
- the amorphous thin film 94 includes at least an amorphous phase and is made of, for example, i-type a-Si: H or n-type a-Si: H.
- the amorphous thin film 94 is disposed on the back surface of the silicon substrate 82 in contact with the back surface of the silicon substrate 82.
- the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 1001 are arranged in an array and connected in series. Instead of connecting in series, parallel connection or a combination of series and parallel may be performed.
- Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 1001 includes one of the photoelectric conversion elements 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 50, 50A, 80, 80A, and 80B.
- the output terminal 1003 is connected to a photoelectric conversion element 1001 arranged at one end of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 1001 connected in series.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the photoelectric conversion module array 1101 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 24, photoelectric conversion module array 1101 includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 1120 and output terminals 1121 and 1122.
- FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a photovoltaic power generation system including a photoelectric conversion element according to this embodiment.
- photovoltaic power generation system 1200 includes subsystems 1201 to 120n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2), power conditioners 1211 to 121n, and a transformer 1221.
- the photovoltaic power generation system 1200 is a photovoltaic power generation system having a larger scale than the photovoltaic power generation system 1100 illustrated in FIG.
- the photovoltaic power generation system 1200 includes any one of the photoelectric conversion elements 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 50, 50A, 80, 80A, and 80B having improved element characteristics. Therefore, the performance of the photovoltaic power generation system 1200 can be improved.
Abstract
Description
図1には、本発明の第1の実施の形態による光電変換素子10が示されている。光電変換素子10は、裏面電極型の太陽電池である。
図2A~図2Fを参照しながら、光電変換素子10の製造方法について説明する。
光電変換素子10においては、金属層28n、28pに含まれる複数の金属結晶粒の平均結晶粒径(以下、単に平均結晶粒径と称する)を金属層28n、28pの厚みよりも大きくすることで、素子特性を向上させることができる。以下、この点について説明する。なお、熱処理等を実施して所望のサイズの金属結晶粒を成長させた後、電極22nおよび電極22pの上に、更に、導電膜を形成する場合については、所望のサイズの金属結晶粒が形成されている金属層と当該金属層の厚みとの関係が、上記の条件を満たせばよい。
結晶粒径=2×{(結晶粒の面積)/π}1/2・・・(1)
式(1)における「結晶粒の面積」は、電子後方散乱回折法を用いて測定したものである。式(1)は、結晶粒の面積を円の面積と仮定し、且つ、結晶粒径を円の直径と仮定して計算することを意味する。結晶粒径を求める際、シグマ3(Σ3)の対応粒界は、粒界として取り扱わないこととする。また、結晶方位のずれが5度以内である場合には、同一の結晶粒とみなすこととする。
セル抵抗={(電極22nとn型非晶質シリコン層20nとの接触抵抗)×(1+N)}+{(電極22pとp型非晶質シリコン層20pとの接触抵抗)×(1+N)/N}・・(2)
図9に示すように、電極22pとp型非晶質シリコン層20pとの接触面積が、電極22nとn型非晶質シリコン層20nとの接触面積の1倍以上であって、平均結晶粒径の平均値が、0.41μm以上であって、且つ、0.86μm以下である場合には、熱処理をしていない状態でのセル抵抗よりも低くなった。従って、平均結晶粒径の平均値は、金属層28nの厚みおよび金属層29nの厚みの1.03倍以上2.15倍以下であることが好ましい。
本発明の第1の実施の形態による光電変換素子は、図12~図14に示すような構成であってもよい。
図15は、本発明の第2の実施の形態による光電変換素子50の構成を示す断面図である。光電変換素子50は、シリコン基板52と、非晶質膜54と、非晶質膜56と、電極58と、絶縁膜60と、電極62とを含む。
図16A~図16Gを参照しながら、光電変換素子50の製造方法について説明する。
図17は、第2の実施の形態の応用例に係る光電変換素子50Aの概略構成を示す断面図である。光電変換素子50Aは、光電変換素子50と比べて、非晶質膜54の代わりに、非晶質膜70及び非晶質膜72を備える。また、光電変換素子50Aは、光電変換素子50と比べて、電極58の代わりに、電極76を備える。
図18は、本発明の第3の実施の形態による光電変換素子80の概略構成を示す断面図である。光電変換素子80は、光電変換素子50のシリコン基板52をシリコン基板82に代え、絶縁膜60を非晶質膜84、86に代え、電極62を電極88に代えたものである。その他は、光電変換素子50と同じである。
図19A~19Fを参照しながら、光電変換素子80の製造方法について説明する。
図20は、第3の実施の形態の応用例1に係る光電変換素子80Aの概略構成を示す縦断面図である。光電変換素子80Aは、光電変換素子80と比べて、非晶質膜54の代わりに、非晶質膜70及び非晶質膜72を備える。非晶質膜84の代わりに、非晶質膜94及び非晶質膜96を備える。電極58の代わりに、電極76を備える。電極88の代わりに、電極98を備える。
図21は、第3の実施の形態の応用例2に係る光電変換素子80Bの概略構成を示す縦断面図である。光電変換素子80Bは、光電変換素子80と比べて、非晶質膜54の代わりに、非晶質膜70及び非晶質膜72を備える。電極58の代わりに、電極76を備える。
図22は、この実施の形態による光電変換素子を備える光電変換モジュールの構成を示す概略図である。図22を参照して、光電変換モジュール1000は、複数の光電変換素子1001と、カバー1002と、出力端子1003,1004とを備える。
図23は、この実施の形態による光電変換素子を備える太陽光発電システムの構成を示す概略図である。図23を参照して、太陽光発電システム1100は、光電変換モジュールアレイ1101と、接続箱1102と、パワーコンディショナー1103と、分電盤1104と、電力メーター1105とを備える。
図25は、この実施の形態による光電変換素子を備える太陽光発電システムの構成を示す概略図である。図25を参照して、太陽光発電システム1200は、サブシステム1201~120n(nは2以上の整数)と、パワーコンディショナー1211~121nと、変圧器1221とを備える。太陽光発電システム1200は、図23に示す太陽光発電システム1100よりも規模が大きい太陽光発電システムである。
Claims (13)
- 半導体基板と、
第1導電型の第1半導体層と、
前記第1導電型とは反対の第2導電型の第2半導体層と、
前記第1半導体層上に形成された第1電極と、
前記第2半導体層上に形成された第2電極とを備え、
前記第1電極は、
前記第1半導体層上に形成された第1透明導電層と、
前記第1透明導電層上に形成された第1金属層とを含み、
前記第1金属層は、金属結晶粒を複数含み、
前記第1金属層の面内方向における前記金属結晶粒の平均結晶粒径が前記第1金属層の厚みよりも大きい、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1電極は、銀を主成分とする金属膜からなる、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1又は2に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1半導体層及び前記第2半導体層は、前記半導体基板における受光面とは反対側の裏面に形成される、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~3の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記金属結晶粒は、前記半導体基板の厚み方向に平行な結晶軸が<111>方向に優先配向している、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、n型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの3.33倍未満である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、n型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの2.85倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、n型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの1.55倍以上であって、且つ、2.85倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、p型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの3.3倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、p型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの1.03倍以上であって、且つ、2.95倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第1導電型は、p型であり、
前記平均結晶粒径は、前記第1金属層の厚みの1.53倍以上であって、且つ、2.15倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~4の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子であって、
前記第2電極は、
前記第2半導体層上に形成された第2透明導電層と、
前記第2透明導電層上に形成された第2金属層とを含み、
前記第2金属層は、金属結晶粒を複数含み、
前記第2電極と前記第2半導体層との接触面積は、前記第1電極と前記第1半導体層との接触面積の1倍以上であり、
前記第1金属層における金属結晶粒の平均結晶粒径と前記第2金属層における金属結晶粒の平均結晶粒径との平均値が、前記第1金属層および前記第2金属層の厚みの1.03倍以上であって、且つ、2.15倍以下である、光電変換素子。 - 請求項1~11の何れか1項に記載の光電変換素子を少なくとも1つ含む光電変換モジュール。
- 請求項12に記載の光電変換モジュールを少なくとも1つ含む太陽光発電システム。
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2015543930A JP6529437B2 (ja) | 2013-10-25 | 2014-10-24 | 光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム |
CN201480058321.5A CN105659388B (zh) | 2013-10-25 | 2014-10-24 | 光电转换元件、光电转换模块以及太阳光发电系统 |
US15/031,838 US11031516B2 (en) | 2013-10-25 | 2014-10-24 | Photoelectric conversion element, photoelectric conversion module, and solar photovoltaic power generation system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2013222818 | 2013-10-25 | ||
JP2013-222818 | 2013-10-25 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2015060437A1 true WO2015060437A1 (ja) | 2015-04-30 |
Family
ID=52993022
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2014/078384 WO2015060437A1 (ja) | 2013-10-25 | 2014-10-24 | 光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US11031516B2 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP6529437B2 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN105659388B (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2015060437A1 (ja) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2017059762A (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
JP2017059764A (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
WO2017047311A1 (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
US20180040747A1 (en) * | 2016-08-08 | 2018-02-08 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Solar cell and method for manufacturing solar cell |
JP2019033298A (ja) * | 2015-05-29 | 2019-02-28 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 太陽電池 |
WO2021020465A1 (ja) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池セルの製造方法、太陽電池セル、太陽電池デバイスおよび太陽電池モジュール |
JP7449152B2 (ja) | 2020-04-23 | 2024-03-13 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池の製造方法および太陽電池 |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11355703B2 (en) * | 2020-06-16 | 2022-06-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Phase change device with interfacing first and second semiconductor layers |
CN115064609A (zh) * | 2022-07-07 | 2022-09-16 | 隆基绿能科技股份有限公司 | 太阳能电池制备方法、太阳能电池及电池组件 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2005101240A (ja) * | 2003-09-24 | 2005-04-14 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | 光起電力素子およびその製造方法 |
JP2010183080A (ja) * | 2009-02-04 | 2010-08-19 | Lg Electronics Inc | 太陽電池及びその製造方法 |
JP2013098241A (ja) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-20 | Kaneka Corp | 結晶シリコン系太陽電池及び結晶シリコン系太陽電池の製造方法 |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN100431177C (zh) * | 2003-09-24 | 2008-11-05 | 三洋电机株式会社 | 光生伏打元件及其制造方法 |
JP2007281156A (ja) | 2006-04-06 | 2007-10-25 | Japan Advanced Institute Of Science & Technology Hokuriku | 裏面電極型半導体へテロ接合太陽電池ならびにその製造方法と製造装置 |
US7902540B2 (en) * | 2008-05-21 | 2011-03-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fast P-I-N photodetector with high responsitivity |
US8383451B2 (en) * | 2009-03-09 | 2013-02-26 | Aqt Solar, Inc. | Deposition of photovoltaic thin films by plasma spray deposition |
JP5258707B2 (ja) * | 2009-08-26 | 2013-08-07 | 株式会社東芝 | 半導体発光素子 |
CN101694835A (zh) * | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | 上海宏力半导体制造有限公司 | 金属层的制造方法 |
US8633379B2 (en) * | 2010-08-17 | 2014-01-21 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Solar cell |
JP2012060080A (ja) * | 2010-09-13 | 2012-03-22 | Ulvac Japan Ltd | 結晶太陽電池及びその製造方法 |
CN102214719B (zh) * | 2011-06-10 | 2013-05-01 | 山东力诺太阳能电力股份有限公司 | 基于n型硅片的背接触异质结太阳电池 |
JP5774204B2 (ja) | 2012-03-29 | 2015-09-09 | 三菱電機株式会社 | 光起電力素子およびその製造方法、太陽電池モジュール |
KR101918738B1 (ko) * | 2012-04-17 | 2018-11-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | 태양 전지 |
US20140048013A1 (en) * | 2012-08-17 | 2014-02-20 | Intermolecular, Inc. | SEED LAYER FOR ZnO AND DOPED-ZnO THIN FILM NUCLEATION AND METHODS OF SEED LAYER DEPOSITION |
-
2014
- 2014-10-24 JP JP2015543930A patent/JP6529437B2/ja active Active
- 2014-10-24 WO PCT/JP2014/078384 patent/WO2015060437A1/ja active Application Filing
- 2014-10-24 CN CN201480058321.5A patent/CN105659388B/zh active Active
- 2014-10-24 US US15/031,838 patent/US11031516B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2005101240A (ja) * | 2003-09-24 | 2005-04-14 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | 光起電力素子およびその製造方法 |
JP2010183080A (ja) * | 2009-02-04 | 2010-08-19 | Lg Electronics Inc | 太陽電池及びその製造方法 |
JP2013098241A (ja) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-20 | Kaneka Corp | 結晶シリコン系太陽電池及び結晶シリコン系太陽電池の製造方法 |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2019033298A (ja) * | 2015-05-29 | 2019-02-28 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 太陽電池 |
JP2017059762A (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
JP2017059764A (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
WO2017047311A1 (ja) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子及びその製造方法 |
US20180040747A1 (en) * | 2016-08-08 | 2018-02-08 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Solar cell and method for manufacturing solar cell |
CN107706250A (zh) * | 2016-08-08 | 2018-02-16 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | 太阳能电池和用于制造太阳能电池的方法 |
WO2021020465A1 (ja) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-04 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池セルの製造方法、太陽電池セル、太陽電池デバイスおよび太陽電池モジュール |
US11810985B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-11-07 | Kaneka Corporation | Method for manufacturing solar cell, solar cell, solar cell device, and solar cell module |
JP7449152B2 (ja) | 2020-04-23 | 2024-03-13 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池の製造方法および太陽電池 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN105659388A (zh) | 2016-06-08 |
US11031516B2 (en) | 2021-06-08 |
US20160268459A1 (en) | 2016-09-15 |
JP6529437B2 (ja) | 2019-06-12 |
JPWO2015060437A1 (ja) | 2017-03-09 |
CN105659388B (zh) | 2018-06-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10424685B2 (en) | Method for manufacturing solar cell having electrodes including metal seed layer and conductive layer | |
JP6529437B2 (ja) | 光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム | |
JP6599769B2 (ja) | 光電変換装置 | |
CN114242803B (zh) | 太阳能电池及其制备方法、光伏组件 | |
US20160268462A1 (en) | Photoelectric conversion element | |
US11056601B2 (en) | Solar cell | |
US10516066B2 (en) | Photovoltaic conversion device, photovoltaic module, and solar power generation system | |
US20160268450A1 (en) | Photoelectric conversion element | |
KR101886818B1 (ko) | 이종 접합 실리콘 태양 전지의 제조 방법 | |
JP6529436B2 (ja) | 光電変換素子、光電変換モジュール、並びに、太陽光発電システム | |
EP3371833A1 (en) | Photovoltaic device and method for manufacturing the same | |
US20150372165A1 (en) | Photoelectric converting element | |
JP6564767B2 (ja) | 光電変換装置 | |
JP6639295B2 (ja) | 光電変換装置、光電変換モジュールおよび太陽光発電システム | |
CN107667435B (zh) | 光电转换装置 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 14856656 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2015543930 Country of ref document: JP Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 15031838 Country of ref document: US |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 14856656 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |