WO2022138941A1 - 太陽電池ユニット、太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置、太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置、および太陽電池ユニットの製造方法 - Google Patents
太陽電池ユニット、太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置、太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置、および太陽電池ユニットの製造方法 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022138941A1 WO2022138941A1 PCT/JP2021/048326 JP2021048326W WO2022138941A1 WO 2022138941 A1 WO2022138941 A1 WO 2022138941A1 JP 2021048326 W JP2021048326 W JP 2021048326W WO 2022138941 A1 WO2022138941 A1 WO 2022138941A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- region
- unit
- conductive type
- conductive
- solar cell
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 title claims description 179
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 123
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 70
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 362
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 205
- 238000005424 photoluminescence Methods 0.000 claims description 235
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 63
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 63
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000001039 wet etching Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000009751 slip forming Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 355
- 238000002161 passivation Methods 0.000 description 51
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 18
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 15
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 13
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 10
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 9
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000002210 silicon-based material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229910021419 crystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorane Chemical compound F KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000003929 acidic solution Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000007650 screen-printing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 4
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001312 dry etching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007756 gravure coating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000000206 photolithography Methods 0.000 description 2
- HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon nitride Chemical compound N12[Si]34N5[Si]62N3[Si]51N64 HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitric acid Chemical compound O[N+]([O-])=O GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012670 alkaline solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000012447 hatching Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910003437 indium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PJXISJQVUVHSOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium(iii) oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[In+3].[In+3] PJXISJQVUVHSOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxotin Chemical compound [In].[Sn]=O AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004020 luminiscence type Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021421 monocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910017604 nitric acid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011241 protective layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005215 recombination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006798 recombination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- LIVNPJMFVYWSIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon monoxide Chemical compound [Si-]#[O+] LIVNPJMFVYWSIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N tin dioxide Chemical compound O=[Sn]=O XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001887 tin oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/62—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
- G01N21/63—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
- H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
- H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
- H01L21/30—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
- H01L21/302—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to change their surface-physical characteristics or shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
- H01L21/306—Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching
-
- 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 potential barriers
- 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 potential barriers 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 potential barriers 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 potential barriers 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- H02S50/00—Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
- H02S50/10—Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells
- H02S50/15—Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells using optical means, e.g. using electroluminescence
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a solar cell unit, a quality determination device for the solar cell unit, an etching device for the solar cell unit, and a method for manufacturing the solar cell unit.
- the solar cell may be mounted on an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- IoT Internet of Things
- a solar cell mounted on such an electronic device a solar cell having various shapes suitable for the shape of the electronic device or a small solar cell is required.
- Such solar cells are obtained by forming one or more solar cells on a large-format semiconductor substrate (Wafer) of a specified size (for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape), and then forming one or more solar cells by, for example, laser dicing. Obtained by cutting out a cell.
- a large-format semiconductor substrate on which one or more solar cells are formed before laser dicing is referred to as a solar cell unit.
- the region where the solar cell is formed is referred to as a cell region, and the other region is referred to as a margin region.
- Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques for irradiating a semiconductor substrate with light, observing the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate, and inspecting (evaluating) etching of the semiconductor device based on the photoluminescence intensity. ..
- Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe techniques for irradiating a semiconductor substrate with light, observing the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate, and determining the end of etching based on the photoluminescence intensity in such a wet etching method. Is disclosed.
- Electronic devices such as IoT devices or wearable devices are not only in a high-light environment that supports an outdoor solar environment (for example, 1sun (1000 W / m 2 )), but also in a low-light environment that supports an indoor lighting environment. It is also used below (for example, an environment where the current density is 1/1000 or more and 1/100 or less of the current density obtained outdoors). Therefore, in a solar cell mounted on such an electronic device, high photoelectric conversion efficiency is required not only in a high illuminance environment but also in a low illuminance environment.
- an outdoor solar environment for example, 1sun (1000 W / m 2 )
- a low-light environment that supports an indoor lighting environment. It is also used below (for example, an environment where the current density is 1/1000 or more and 1/100 or less of the current density obtained outdoors). Therefore, in a solar cell mounted on such an electronic device, high photoelectric conversion efficiency is required not only in a high illuminance environment but also in a low illuminance environment
- the photoluminescence intensity is increased during light irradiation corresponding to a high illuminance environment. Even if the judgment is large and good, the photoluminescence intensity may be small and the judgment may be poor when irradiated with light corresponding to a low illuminance environment. This is considered to be due to the following factors. That is, it is conceivable that even a leak current that can be ignored in a high-light environment becomes a leak current that cannot be ignored in a low-light environment. In other words, even if the etching shortage is negligible in a high-light environment, it is conceivable that the etching shortage cannot be ignored in a low-light environment.
- the photoelectric conversion of the cell region is based on the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to the low illuminance environment. It is conceivable to judge the quality of the characteristics. However, in the case of light irradiation corresponding to a low illuminance environment, the detectable photoluminescence intensity cannot be obtained unless the irradiation time is lengthened, and the measurement time becomes long. Further, if the photoluminescence intensity is small, the measurement accuracy is lowered due to the influence of the lower limit of measurement of the detector or noise. In addition, the output of the light source is not stable at low illuminance output, and the measurement accuracy is lowered.
- the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to a high illuminance environment is large, it is under a low illuminance environment.
- the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to the above may be small. This is considered to be due to the following factors, as described above. That is, it is conceivable that even a leak current that can be ignored in a high-light environment becomes a leak current that cannot be ignored in a low-light environment. In other words, even if the etching shortage is negligible in a high-light environment, it is conceivable that the etching shortage cannot be ignored in a low-light environment.
- the present invention provides a solar cell unit capable of shortening the time and improving the accuracy of the quality determination of a solar cell used in a low light environment, a quality determination device for the solar cell unit, and a method for manufacturing the solar cell unit.
- the purpose is to do.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit and an etching device for the solar cell unit, which can appropriately etch the electrode layer of the solar cell used in a low light environment. ..
- the solar cell unit according to the present invention is a solar cell unit having a cell region in which a back electrode type solar cell is formed on a large-format semiconductor substrate and a margin region other than that.
- the cell region has a first conductive type region and a second conductive type region, the first conductive type is one of p-type and n-type, and the second conductive type is p-type and n-type. The other of them.
- the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the first electrode layer are formed on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate, and in the second conductive type region, the first is on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate.
- a two conductive semiconductor layer and a second electrode layer are formed.
- the margin region has a first conductive type unit region having a unit area, a second conductive type unit region having a unit area, and a pn short-circuit region.
- the first conductive type semiconductor layer is formed on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate
- the second conductive type is formed on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate.
- a semiconductor layer is formed, and in the pn short-circuit region, a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and the second conductive type are formed on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate.
- a third electrode layer that electrically short-circuits the type semiconductor layer is formed.
- the solar cell unit quality determination device is the above-mentioned solar cell unit quality determination device, which is a light irradiation unit that irradiates the main surface of the large-format semiconductor substrate with light, and photoluminescence from the large-format semiconductor substrate. It includes a photoluminescence observation unit that observes the photoluminescence intensity, and a quality determination unit that determines the quality of the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit based on the photoluminescence intensity.
- the light irradiation unit is used in a high illuminance environment in which the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit corresponds to an outdoor solar environment and a low illuminance environment corresponding to an indoor lighting environment.
- the pass / fail determination unit determines the photoluminescence strength of the cell region, the photoluminescence strength of the first conductive type unit region, and the photoluminescence strength of the second conductive type unit region based on the photoluminescence strength of the pn short-circuit region.
- the calculated and calculated photoluminescence intensity of the cell region is compared with the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the first conductive type unit region and the second conductive type unit region, and the calculated first conductive type unit region and the calculated first conductive type unit region and A solar cell in a cell region having a photoluminescence intensity deviating from the photoluminescence intensity in the second conductive type unit region by a predetermined amount or more is determined to have poor photoelectric conversion characteristics in the low light environment.
- the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit having a cell region in which a back electrode type solar cell is formed on a large-format semiconductor substrate and a margin region other than the cell region.
- the cell region has a first conductive type region and a second conductive type region, the first conductive type is one of p-type and n-type, and the second conductive type is p-type and n-type.
- the margin region is the other of the two, and has a first conductive type unit region having a unit area, a second conductive type unit region having a unit area, and a pn short-circuit region.
- a first conductive semiconductor layer is formed in the first conductive type region of the cell region on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate, and the cell region on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate is formed.
- a second conductive semiconductor layer is formed in the second conductive type region, a first conductive semiconductor layer is formed in the first conductive type unit region in the margin region on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate, and the large format semiconductor substrate is formed.
- a second conductive semiconductor layer is formed in the second conductive unit region of the margin region on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate, and the first conductive semiconductor layer and the first conductive semiconductor layer are formed in the pn short-circuit region of the margin region on the back surface side of the large format semiconductor substrate.
- the second electrode layer corresponding to the second conductive semiconductor layer, and the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer in the pn short-circuit region of the margin region are electrically short-circuited. It includes an electrode layer forming step of forming a third electrode layer and a pass / fail determination step of determining the quality of the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit.
- the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit is used in a high illuminance environment corresponding to an outdoor solar environment and a low illuminance environment corresponding to an indoor lighting environment.
- the main surface of the large-format semiconductor substrate is irradiated with light having an intensity smaller than the high illuminance and higher than the low illuminance, and photoluminescence from the cell region of the large-format semiconductor substrate.
- the photoilluminance intensity from the first conductive type unit region, the second conductive type unit region, and the pn short-circuit region in the large-format semiconductor substrate is observed, and the photoluminance intensity of the pn short-circuit region is observed.
- the photoilluminance intensity of the cell region, the photoilluminance intensity of the first conductive type unit region, and the photoilluminance intensity of the second conductive type unit region are calculated, and the calculated photoluminance intensity of the cell region is calculated.
- the photoluminance strength of the first conductive type unit region and the second conductive type unit region calculated by comparing the photoluminance strength of the first conductive type unit region and the second conductive type unit region was calculated.
- a solar cell in a cell region having a photoluminescence intensity deviated by a certain amount or more is determined to have a defective photoelectric conversion characteristic in a low illuminance environment.
- Another method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit having a cell region in which a back surface electrode type solar cell is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and is a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate.
- a conductive film is continuously formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer in the cell region on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and the conductive film is etched to obtain the first conductive film.
- the present invention includes an electrode layer forming step of forming a patterned electrode layer on each of the conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer.
- the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit is used in a high illuminance environment corresponding to an outdoor sunlight environment and a low illuminance environment corresponding to an indoor lighting environment.
- the main surface of the semiconductor substrate is sequentially irradiated with light having at least two different illuminances, that is, the high illuminance and the low illuminance, and the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate is observed in order.
- the end of etching of the conductive film is determined based on the photoilluminance intensity with respect to the light of at least two intensities.
- the etching apparatus for a solar cell unit is an etching apparatus for forming an electrode layer in the cell region in a solar cell unit having a cell region in which a back surface electrode type solar cell is formed on a semiconductor substrate.
- the conductive film formed continuously on the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer in the cell region on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate is etched to form the first conductive semiconductor layer and the first conductive semiconductor layer.
- the etching section forming the electrode layer patterned on each of the second conductive semiconductor layers and the solar cell in the cell region of the solar cell unit have high illuminance corresponding to an outdoor solar environment.
- the main surface of the semiconductor substrate in the etching portion has at least two differences between the high light and the low light.
- the photoluminescence observation unit that sequentially observes the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate in the etching unit, and the photoluminescence intensity for at least two intensity lights, the said It is provided with an etching end determination unit for determining the end of etching of the conductive film.
- the present invention it is possible to shorten the time and improve the accuracy of the quality determination of a solar cell used in a low illuminance environment. Further, according to the present invention, the electrode layer of the solar cell used in a low illuminance environment can be appropriately etched.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cell region (solar cell), a first conductive type unit region, a second conductive type unit region, and a pn short-circuit region in the solar cell unit shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the cell region (solar cell) shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of a first conductive type unit region, a second conductive type unit region, and a pn short-circuit region shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 1 is a view of the solar cell unit according to the first embodiment as viewed from the back surface side.
- the solar cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a semiconductor substrate (large format semiconductor substrate) (Wafer) 11 having a specified size (for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape).
- the solar cell unit 1 has a plurality of cell regions 2 in which each of the plurality of solar cell cells is formed, and a margin region 3 other than the plurality of cell regions 2 on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, the solar cell unit 1 has a first conductive type unit region 4, a second conductive type unit region 5, and a pn short-circuit region 6 in a part of the margin region 3.
- the cell region 2 is a region that becomes a back-side electrode type (also referred to as back contact type or back-junction type) solar cell of a heterojunction type by being cut out from the solar cell unit 1 by, for example, laser dicing. ..
- the solar cell may be mounted on an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- IoT Internet of Things
- a solar cell mounted on such an electronic device a solar cell having various shapes suitable for the shape of the electronic device or a small solar cell is required.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a cell region (solar cell), a first conductive type unit region, a second conductive type unit region, and a pn short-circuit region in the solar cell unit shown in FIG.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the cell region (solar cell) shown in FIG. 2, and
- FIG. 4 shows a first conductive type unit region, a second conductive type unit region, and a pn short circuit shown in FIG.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the region.
- the cell region 2 has a first conductive type region 7 and a second conductive type region 8 on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the main surface of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 on the light receiving side is the light receiving surface
- the main surface of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 opposite to the light receiving surface is the back surface.
- the first conductive type region 7 has a so-called comb shape, and has a plurality of finger portions 7f corresponding to the comb teeth and a bus bar portion 7b corresponding to the support portion of the comb teeth.
- the bus bar portion 7b extends in the first direction (X direction) along one side of the semiconductor substrate 11, and the finger portion 7f is in the second direction (Y direction) intersecting the bus bar portion 7b in the first direction. ).
- the second conductive type region 8 has a so-called comb shape, and has a plurality of finger portions 8f corresponding to the comb teeth and a bus bar portion 8b corresponding to the support portion of the comb teeth.
- the bus bar portion 8b extends in the first direction (X direction) along the other side portion facing one side portion of the semiconductor substrate 11, and the finger portion 8f extends from the bus bar portion 8b in the second direction (Y). Extends in the direction).
- the finger portion 7f and the finger portion 8f form a band extending in the second direction (Y direction), and are alternately provided in the first direction (X direction).
- the comb-shaped shape will be illustrated as the first conductive type region 7 and the second conductive type region 8, but the first conductive type region 7 and the second conductive type region 8 are not limited to this, and various types may be used. It may be formed into a shape.
- the passivation layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 are sequentially formed on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the cell region 2, the passivation layer 23, the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25, and the first electrode layer 27 are sequentially formed on a part of the back surface side (first conductive type region 7) of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the cell region 2, the passivation layer 33, the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35, and the second electrode layer 37 are sequentially formed on the other part (second conductive type region 8) on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. ..
- the semiconductor substrate 11 is formed of a crystalline silicon material such as single crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon.
- the semiconductor substrate 11 is, for example, an n-type semiconductor substrate in which a crystalline silicon material is doped with an n-type dopant.
- the semiconductor substrate 11 may be, for example, a p-type semiconductor substrate in which a crystalline silicon material is doped with a p-type dopant.
- Examples of the n-type dopant include phosphorus (P).
- Examples of the p-type dopant include boron (B).
- the semiconductor substrate 11 functions as a photoelectric conversion substrate that absorbs incident light from the light receiving surface side to generate optical carriers (electrons and holes).
- the passivation layer 13 is formed on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the passivation layer 23 is formed in the first conductive type region 7 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the passivation layer 33 is formed in the second conductive type region 8 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the passivation layers 13, 23, 33 are formed of, for example, a material containing a true (i-type) amorphous silicon material as a main component.
- the passivation layers 13, 23, 33 suppress the recombination of carriers generated in the semiconductor substrate 11 and increase the carrier recovery efficiency.
- the optical adjustment layer 15 is formed on the passivation layer 13 on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the optical adjustment layer 15 functions as an antireflection layer for preventing reflection of incident light, and also functions as a protective layer for protecting the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 and the passivation layer 13.
- the optical adjustment layer 15 is formed of an insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or a composite thereof.
- the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 is formed on the passivation layer 23, that is, in the first conductive type region 7 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 is formed of, for example, an amorphous silicon material.
- the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 is, for example, a p-type semiconductor layer in which an amorphous silicon material is doped with a p-type dopant (for example, the above-mentioned boron (B)).
- the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 is formed on the passivation layer 33, that is, in the second conductive region 8 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 is formed of, for example, an amorphous silicon material.
- the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 is, for example, an n-type semiconductor layer in which an amorphous silicon material is doped with an n-type dopant (for example, phosphorus (P) described above).
- the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 may be an n-type semiconductor layer, and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 may be a p-type semiconductor layer.
- the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 and the passivation layer 23, and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 and the passivation layer 33 form a band extending in the second direction (Y direction) and form a band shape extending in the first direction (X direction). ) Are lined up alternately. A part of the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 and the passivation layer 33 may be overlapped on a part of the adjacent first conductive semiconductor layer 25 and the passivation layer 23 (not shown).
- the first electrode layer 27 corresponds to the first conductive semiconductor layer 25, and is specifically formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 in the first conductive region 7 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the second electrode layer 37 corresponds to the second conductive semiconductor layer 35, and is specifically formed on the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 in the second conductive region 8 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the first electrode layer 27 has a first transparent electrode layer 28 and a first metal electrode layer 29 that are sequentially laminated on the first conductive semiconductor layer 25.
- the second electrode layer 37 has a second transparent electrode layer 38 and a second metal electrode layer 39 that are sequentially laminated on the second conductive semiconductor layer 35.
- the first transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 are formed of a transparent conductive material.
- the transparent conductive material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ITO (Indium Tin Oxide: a composite oxide of indium oxide and tin oxide).
- the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 are not particularly limited, and are, for example, a conductive paste material containing a particulate metal material such as silver, copper, or aluminum, an insulating resin material, and a solvent. It is formed.
- the first electrode layer 27 and the second electrode layer 37 that is, the first transparent electrode layer 28, the second transparent electrode layer 38, the first metal electrode layer 29, and the second metal electrode layer 39 are in the second direction (Y direction). It has an extending band shape and is arranged alternately in the first direction (X direction).
- the first transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 are separated from each other, and the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 are also separated from each other.
- the band width in the first direction (X direction) of the first transparent electrode layer 28 is narrower than the band width in the first direction (X direction) of the first metal electrode layer 29, and is narrower than the band width in the first direction (X direction) of the first metal electrode layer 29.
- the band width in the (X direction) is narrower than the band width in the first direction (X direction) of the second metal electrode layer 39.
- the passivation layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 are sequentially formed on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the margin region 3, the passivation layers 23 and 33 may be laminated on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the margin region 3 has a first conductive type unit region 4, a second conductive type unit region 5, and a pn short-circuit region 6.
- the first conductive type unit region 4 is a region of a unit area.
- the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 are sequentially formed on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the size of the unit area is not particularly limited, but may be set according to the detection resolution of the photoluminescence observation unit in the quality determination device described later.
- the second conductive type unit region 5 is a region of a unit area.
- the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 are sequentially formed on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the size of the unit area is not particularly limited, but may be set according to the detection resolution of the photoluminescence observation unit in the quality determination device described later.
- ⁇ pn short circuit area In the pn short-circuit region 6, the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 are sequentially formed on a part of the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, and the passivation layer 33 and the passivation layer 33 and the other part on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 are formed in order.
- the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 is formed in order.
- a third electrode layer 27A corresponding to the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 and electrically short-circuiting them is formed.
- the size of the pn short-circuit region 6 is not particularly limited, but may be set according to the detection resolution of the photoluminescence observation unit described later.
- 5A and 6A are diagrams showing a semiconductor layer forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the first embodiment
- FIGS. 5B and 6B are diagrams in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the transparent conductive film forming process (the transparent electrode layer forming process).
- 5C and 6C are diagrams showing a metal electrode layer forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the first embodiment, and FIG.
- FIG. 5D is a transparent electrode in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the layer formation process. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a quality determination step and a quality determination device in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to the first embodiment.
- a passivation layer 23 and a first conductive semiconductor layer 25 are formed in a part of the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, specifically, in the first conductive type region 7 in the cell region 2. do. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 are formed in a part of the first conductive type unit region 4 and the pn short circuit region 6 in the margin region 3 (semiconductor layer forming step). ..
- a passivation layer material film and a first conductive semiconductor layer material film are sequentially formed on all the back surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 11 by using a CVD method or a PVD method, and then a photolithography technique or a printing technique is used.
- the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 may be patterned by an etching method using a generated resist or a metal mask.
- Examples of the etching solution for the p-type semiconductor layer material film include hydrofluoric acid containing ozone, or an acidic solution such as a mixed solution of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, and examples of the etching solution for the n-type semiconductor layer material film include For example, an alkaline solution such as an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide may be mentioned.
- the passivation layer and the first conductive semiconductor layer are laminated on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 by using the CVD method or the PVD method, the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 are separated by using a mask. Film formation and patterning may be performed at the same time.
- the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer are formed in the other part of the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, specifically, in the second conductive type region 8 in the cell region 2.
- Form 35 is formed in the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 in the second conductive type unit region 5 and the other part of the pn short circuit region 6 in the margin region 3 (semiconductor layer formation). Process).
- a passivation layer material film and a second conductive semiconductor layer material film are sequentially formed on the entire back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 by using a CVD method or a PVD method, and then photolithography technique or printing is performed.
- the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 may be patterned by using an etching method using a resist generated by a technique or a metal mask, or by using a known lift-off method.
- the passivation layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer are laminated on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 by using the CVD method or the PVD method, a mask is used to form the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35. Film formation and patterning may be performed at the same time.
- the passivation layer 23 may be formed in the margin region 3 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, or the passivation layer 33 may be formed. .. Further, passivation is applied to the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 on the light receiving surface side, that is, the entire surface of the cell region 2, the margin region 3, the first conductive type unit region 4, the second conductive type unit region 5, and the pn short circuit region 6 on the light receiving surface side.
- the layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 may be formed.
- a transparent conductive film 28Z is continuously formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 in the cell region 2 so as to straddle them.
- a transparent electrode layer 28A is continuously formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 in the pn short-circuited region 6 of the margin region 3 so as to straddle them.
- Transparent conductive film forming step Transparent electrode layer forming step.
- a method for forming the transparent conductive film 28Z and the transparent electrode layer 28A for example, a CVD method or a PVD method is used.
- the first metal electrode layer 29 is formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 via the transparent conductive film 28Z in the cell region 2, and the second conductive film is formed via the transparent conductive film 28Z.
- the second metal electrode layer 39 is formed on the type semiconductor layer 35.
- a metal electrode layer 29A is formed on the transparent electrode layer 28A in the pn short-circuit region 6 of the margin region 3 (metal electrode layer forming step).
- the first metal electrode layer 29, the second metal electrode layer 39, and the metal electrode layer 29A are formed by printing a printing material (for example, ink).
- a printing material for example, ink
- Examples of the method for forming the first metal electrode layer 29, the second metal electrode layer 39 and the metal electrode layer 29A include a screen printing method, an inkjet method, a gravure coating method, a dispenser method and the like. Among these, the screen printing method is preferable.
- the printing material contains a particulate (for example, spherical) metal material in the insulating resin material.
- the printing material may contain a solvent or the like for adjusting the viscosity or coatability.
- the insulating resin material examples include matrix resin and the like. More specifically, the insulating resin is preferably a polymer compound, particularly a thermosetting resin or an ultraviolet curable resin, and epoxy, urethane, polyester, silicone-based resins and the like are typical examples.
- metal materials include silver, copper, aluminum and the like. Among these, a silver paste containing silver particles is preferable.
- the ratio of the metal material contained in the printing material is 85% or more and 95% or less as a weight ratio to the entire printing material.
- the first metal electrode layer 29, the second metal electrode layer 39 and the metal electrode layer 29A are subjected to heat treatment or ultraviolet irradiation treatment.
- the insulating resin at 29A is cured.
- the transparent conductive film 28Z is patterned by using an etching method using the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 as masks to form a first conductive semiconductor layer.
- a first transparent electrode layer 28 and a second transparent electrode layer 38 separated from each other and patterned are formed on each of the 25 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 (transparent electrode layer forming step).
- the etching method include a wet etching method, and examples of the etching solution include an acidic solution such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- the solar cell unit 1 (semiconductor substrate 11) is irradiated with light, the photoluminescence intensity from the solar cell unit 1 (semiconductor substrate 11) is observed, and the sun is observed based on the photoluminescence intensity.
- the quality of the solar cell in the cell region 2 of the battery unit 1 is determined (pass / fail determination step).
- the quality determination device and the quality determination method of the solar cell unit 1 will be described.
- the quality determination device of the solar cell unit 1 according to the first embodiment that is, the quality determination device of the photoelectric conversion characteristic of the cell region (solar cell) 2
- the quality determination device 100 is a device that determines the quality of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the solar cell in the cell region 2 in the state of the solar cell unit 1 described above.
- the quality determination device 100 includes a light irradiation unit 110, a photoluminescence observation unit 120, and a quality determination unit 130.
- the light irradiation unit 110 irradiates the solar cell unit 1, that is, the light receiving surface or the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 with light. Since light is shielded from the back surface by the metal electrode layer, it is preferable to irradiate the light receiving surface with light.
- the light irradiation unit 110 is, for example, a light irradiation device that irradiates light having a wavelength corresponding to the photoluminescence characteristics of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the solar cell in the cell region 2 of the solar cell unit 1 is under a high-light environment (for example, 1sun (1000 W / m 2 )) corresponding to an outdoor solar environment and an indoor lighting environment.
- a high-light environment for example, 1sun (1000 W / m 2 )
- the solar cell unit that is, the semiconductor substrate 11 has a high current density. It irradiates light with an intensity smaller than the illuminance and higher than the low illuminance.
- the photoluminescence observation unit 120 observes the photoluminescence intensity from the solar cell unit 1, that is, the semiconductor substrate 11.
- Examples of the photoluminescence observation unit include a known photoluminescence intensity measuring device incorporating a CCD image sensor or the like.
- the photoluminescence observation unit 120 observes the photoluminescence intensity from the cell region 2, and also the photoluminescence from the first conductive type unit region 4, the second conductive type unit region 5, and the pn short-circuit region 6. Observe the intensity.
- the photoluminescence observation unit 120 may simultaneously observe the photoluminescence intensities of each region 2, 4, 5, and 6, and perform decomposition analysis and synthetic analysis for each pixel.
- the quality determination unit 130 determines the quality of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the solar cell in the cell region 2 based on the photoluminescence intensity.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates in advance the area ratio of the first conductive type region as the area ratio of the first conductive type region 7 of the cell region 2 to the first conductive type unit region 4. Further, the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates in advance the area ratio of the second conductive type region as the area ratio of the second conductive type region 8 of the cell region 2 to the second conductive type unit region 5.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates the photoluminescence intensity of the cell region 2 based on the photoluminescence intensity of the pn short-circuit region 6. Further, the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates the photoluminescence intensity of the first conductive type unit region 4 based on the photoluminescence intensity of the pn short-circuit region 6. Further, the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates the photoluminescence intensity of the second conductive type unit region 5 based on the photoluminescence intensity of the pn short-circuit region 6.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 compares the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the cell region 2 with the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the first conductive type unit region 4 and the second conductive type unit region 5. Then, the pass / fail determination unit 130 uses the solar cell in the cell region 2 having the photoluminescence intensity deviated by a predetermined amount or more from the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the first conductive type unit region 4 and the second conductive type unit region 5. It is judged that the photoelectric conversion characteristics are defective in a low-light environment.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 determines the area ratio of the first conductive type region 7 of the cell region 2 to the first conductive type unit region 4 and the second conductive type region of the cell region 2 to the second conductive type unit region 5. Consider the area ratio of 8.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 is a first conductive type region obtained by multiplying the photoluminescence strength of the first conductive type unit region 4 based on the photoluminescence strength of the pn short-circuit region 6 by the first conductive type region area ratio. Calculate the reference photoluminescence intensity. Further, the pass / fail determination unit 130 is a second conductive type region reference photoluminescence obtained by multiplying the photoluminescence strength of the second conductive type unit region 5 based on the photoluminescence strength of the pn short circuit region 6 by the second conductive type region area ratio. Calculate the strength. Then, the pass / fail determination unit 130 calculates the reference photoluminescence intensity by adding the first conductive type region reference photoluminescence intensity and the second conductive type region reference photoluminescence intensity.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 compares the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the cell region 2 with the calculated reference photoluminescence intensity.
- the quality determination unit 130 determines that the solar cell in the cell region 2 having the photoluminescence intensity deviating from the calculated reference photoluminescence intensity by a predetermined amount or more is defective in photoelectric conversion characteristics in a low illuminance environment.
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 is composed of, for example, an arithmetic processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
- Various functions of the pass / fail determination unit 130 are realized, for example, by executing predetermined software (program, application) stored in the storage unit.
- Various functions of the pass / fail determination unit 130 may be realized by the cooperation of the hardware and the software, or may be realized only by the hardware (electronic circuit).
- the pass / fail determination unit 130 includes a storage unit.
- the storage unit stores the first conductive type region area ratio and the second conductive type region area ratio calculated in advance. Further, the storage unit stores in advance a reference value (predetermined value) of an acceptable deviation of the photoluminescence intensity, which is a reference value for determining the quality of the photoelectric conversion characteristic of the solar cell in the cell region 2.
- the storage unit is, for example, a rewritable memory such as EEPROM, or a rewritable disk such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).
- the photoluminescence intensity is large and low even if the photoluminescence intensity is good at the time of light irradiation corresponding to a high illuminance environment.
- the photoluminescence intensity may be small and a defect may be judged. This is considered to be due to the following factors. That is, it is conceivable that even a leak current that can be ignored in a high-light environment becomes a leak current that cannot be ignored in a low-light environment. In other words, even if the etching of the transparent electrode layer is negligible in a high illuminance environment, it is conceivable that the etching of the transparent electrode layer is not negligible in a low illuminance environment.
- the photoelectric conversion of the cell region is based on the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to the low illuminance environment. It is conceivable to judge the quality of the characteristics. However, in the case of light irradiation corresponding to a low illuminance environment, the detectable photoluminescence intensity cannot be obtained unless the irradiation time is lengthened, and the measurement time becomes long. Further, if the photoluminescence intensity is small, the measurement accuracy is lowered due to the influence of the lower limit of measurement of the detector or noise. Further, in the low illuminance output, the output of the light source is not stable, the measurement accuracy is lowered, and the reproducibility is lowered.
- the first conductive type unit region 4, the second conductive type unit region 5 and the pn short-circuit region 6 are formed in a part of the margin region 3.
- the quality determination step in the solar cell unit 1 the quality determination device 100 of the solar cell unit 1, and the quality determination step in the manufacturing method of the solar cell unit 1 of the present embodiment, the cell region in the solar cell unit 1 (semiconductor substrate 11).
- the criteria for pass / fail judgment were calculated based on the first conductive type unit region 4, the second conductive type unit region 5, and the pn short-circuit region 6, and the calculated criteria.
- the irradiation light can be made larger than the low illuminance corresponding to the low illuminance environment, the irradiation time for obtaining the detectable photoluminescence intensity can be shortened, and the measurement time can be shortened. Further, since the photoluminescence intensity can be increased, the lower limit of measurement of the detector or the influence of noise can be reduced, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. Further, since the output of the light source can be increased, the output of the light source can be stabilized, the measurement accuracy can be improved, and the reproducibility can be improved.
- a plurality of solar cells are mounted on a large-format semiconductor substrate (Wafer) having a specified size (for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape). Is laid out.
- a plurality of cell regions are determined according to the detection resolution of the photoluminescence observation unit. Can be observed at the same time, and productivity can be improved.
- the current-voltage characteristic (IV characteristic) is measured by physical contact using a needle, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency is calculated.
- the method of doing so is generally known.
- the ratio of the damaged area due to physical contact to the total area of the cell region becomes large, and the carrier lifetime in low illuminance, that is, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is greatly reduced.
- the manufacturing method of the solar cell unit 1, the quality determination device 100 of the solar cell unit 1, and the solar cell unit 1 of the present embodiment it is a method based on the photoluminescence characteristic which is physically non-contact. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a decrease in carrier lifetime in low light, that is, a decrease in photoelectric conversion efficiency due to damage caused by physical contact.
- the output of the light source is not stable at the low illuminance output, and the measurement accuracy and reproducibility are deteriorated.
- an ND filter it is conceivable to use an ND filter to attenuate the light irradiation intensity.
- the output of the light source can be increased, so that an ND filter is unnecessary.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made.
- the area ratio was multiplied by the reference value of the first conductive type unit region 4 and the second conductive type unit region 5.
- the measurement result of the cell region 2 may be divided by the area ratio.
- the pass / fail determination unit in the pass / fail determination device of the solar cell unit, and the pass / fail determination step in the manufacturing method of the solar cell unit Area ratio of the first conductive type region in the cell region
- the area ratio of the first conductive type region before and the area ratio of the second conductive type region are the first cell area ratio and the second cell area ratio, and the first conductive type region of the cell region with respect to the first conductive type unit region.
- the first conductive type region area ratio as the area ratio of, and the second conductive type region area ratio as the area ratio of the second conductive type region of the cell region to the second conductive type unit region were calculated.
- the first cell unit region photoluminescence strength obtained by dividing the photoluminescence strength of the cell region based on the photoluminescence strength of the pn short-circuit region by the first cell area ratio and the first conductive type region area ratio, and the pn short-circuit region
- the second cell unit region photoluminescence intensity was calculated by dividing the photoluminescence intensity of the cell region based on the photoluminescence intensity by the second cell area ratio and the second conductive type region area ratio.
- the calculated first cell unit region photoluminescence intensity is compared with the calculated photoluminescence intensity of the first conductive type unit region, and the calculated second cell unit region photoluminescence intensity and the calculated second conductive type unit region are compared.
- a solar cell in the cell region of the second cell unit region photoluminescence intensity deviating from the luminescence intensity by a predetermined amount or more may be determined to have poor photoelectric conversion characteristics in a low illuminance environment.
- a plurality of sets having the first conductive type unit region 4, the second conductive type unit region 5 and the pn short-circuit region 6 as one set are arranged for each cell region 2, but at least.
- One set may be arranged. From the viewpoint of performance variation on the main surface of the large-format semiconductor substrate, it is preferable to arrange one set in the vicinity of each of the cell regions 2 as in the above-described embodiment.
- a solar cell unit having a plurality of cell regions (solar cell), a quality determination device thereof, and a manufacturing method are exemplified.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a solar cell unit having one cell region (solar cell), a quality determination device thereof, and a manufacturing method.
- a manufacturing method for etching a transparent electrode layer using a metal electrode layer as a mask has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the features of the present invention can also be applied to a manufacturing method in which a transparent electrode layer is etched using a general metal mask or resist as a mask.
- wet etching using an etching solution is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the features of the present invention can also be applied to dry etching.
- the heterojunction type solar cell and the solar cell unit are exemplified as shown in FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited to the heterojunction type solar cell and the solar cell unit. , Applicable to various solar cells and solar cell units such as homojunction type solar cells.
- a solar cell and a solar cell unit having a crystalline silicon substrate are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
- the solar cell and the solar cell unit may have a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate.
- GaAs gallium arsenide
- FIG. 8 is a view of the solar cell unit according to the second embodiment as viewed from the back surface side.
- the solar cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 8 includes a semiconductor substrate (large format semiconductor substrate) (Wafer) 11 having a specified size (for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape).
- the solar cell unit 1 has a plurality of cell regions 2 in which each of the plurality of solar cell cells is formed, and a margin region 3 other than the plurality of cell regions 2 on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the cell region 2 is a region that becomes a back-side electrode type (also referred to as back contact type or back-junction type) solar cell of a heterojunction type by being cut out from the solar cell unit 1 by, for example, laser dicing. ..
- the solar cell may be mounted on an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- an electronic device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a wearable device.
- IoT Internet of Things
- a solar cell mounted on such an electronic device a solar cell having various shapes suitable for the shape of the electronic device or a small solar cell is required.
- FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a cell region (solar cell) in the solar cell unit shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is an X-X line sectional view of the cell region (solar cell) shown in FIG.
- the cell region 2 has a first conductive type region 7 and a second conductive type region 8 on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the main surface of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 on the light receiving side is the light receiving surface
- the main surface of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 opposite to the light receiving surface is the back surface.
- the first conductive type region 7 has a so-called comb shape as described above, and has a plurality of finger portions 7f corresponding to comb teeth and a bus bar portion 7b corresponding to a support portion of the comb teeth.
- the second conductive type region 8 has a so-called comb-shaped shape as described above, and has a plurality of finger portions 8f corresponding to the comb teeth and a bus bar portion 8b corresponding to the support portion of the comb teeth.
- the passivation layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 are sequentially formed on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the cell region 2, the passivation layer 23, the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25, and the first electrode layer 27 are sequentially formed on a part of the back surface side (first conductive type region 7) of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the cell region 2, the passivation layer 33, the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35, and the second electrode layer 37 are sequentially formed on the other part (second conductive type region 8) on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. ..
- the semiconductor substrate 11, the passivation layers 13, 23, 33, the optical adjustment layer 15, the first conductive semiconductor layer 25, the second conductive semiconductor layer 35, the first electrode layer 27, and the second electrode layer 37 are as described above. Is. Further, similarly to the above, the first electrode layer 27 has a first transparent electrode layer 28 and a first metal electrode layer 29. The second electrode layer 37 has a second transparent electrode layer 38 and a second metal electrode layer 39.
- the passivation layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 may be formed in order on the light receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11. Further, in the margin region 3, the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 may be formed on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, or the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 may be formed. May be in the formed state.
- FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a semiconductor layer forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment
- FIG. 11B shows a transparent conductive film forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment.
- FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a metal electrode layer forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment
- FIG. 11D is a diagram showing a transparent electrode layer forming step in the method for manufacturing a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment.
- 11A to 11D show the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, and omit the front surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- a passivation layer 23 and a first conductive semiconductor layer 25 are formed in a part of the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, specifically, in the first conductive type region 7 in the cell region 2. (Semiconductor layer forming process).
- the passivation layer 33 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35 are formed on the other part of the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, specifically, in the second conductive type region 8 in the cell region 2 (semiconductor layer). Formation process).
- the method for forming these semiconductor layers may be the same as described above.
- the passivation layer 23 and the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 may be formed in the margin region 3 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11, or the passivation layer 33 and the first. 2
- the conductive semiconductor layer 35 may be formed (not shown).
- the passivation layer 13 and the optical adjustment layer 15 may be formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 on the light receiving surface side, that is, on the entire surface of the cell region 2 and the margin region 3 on the light receiving surface side (not shown).
- the transparent conductive film 28Z is continuously formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 in the cell region 2 (transparent conductive film formation).
- a method for forming the transparent conductive film 28Z for example, a CVD method or a PVD method is used as described above.
- the first metal electrode layer 29 is formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer 25 via the transparent conductive film 28Z in the cell region 2, and the second conductive film is formed via the transparent conductive film 28Z.
- the second metal electrode layer 39 is formed on the type semiconductor layer 35 (metal electrode layer forming step).
- a printing material for example, ink
- a screen printing method for example, an inkjet method, a gravure coating method, a dispenser method, or the like.
- the screen printing method is preferable.
- the transparent conductive film 28Z was separated from each other by patterning the transparent conductive film 28Z by using an etching method using the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 as masks.
- the transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 are formed (transparent electrode layer forming step).
- the etching method include a wet etching method, and examples of the etching solution include an acidic solution such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- the end of etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z is determined based on the photoluminescence characteristics, and the details thereof will be described in the etching apparatus and etching method of the solar cell unit 1 described later.
- the back electrode type solar cell unit 1 of the second embodiment is completed.
- FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an etching apparatus for a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment, that is, an etching apparatus for a transparent electrode layer in a cell region (solar cell).
- the etching apparatus 200 is an etching apparatus for forming the first transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 in the cell region (solar cell) 2 in the above-mentioned transparent electrode layer forming step. Is.
- the etching apparatus 200 includes an etching unit 210, a light irradiation unit 220, a photoluminescence observation unit 230, and an etching end determination unit 240.
- the etching section 210 continuously forms a transparent conductive film 28Z on the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 in the cell region 2 on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 11 shown in FIG. 11C. Etching is performed to form the first transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 patterned on each of the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 as shown in FIG. 11D.
- Etching is performed using the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 as masks is used.
- the etching method include a wet etching method, and the etching unit 210 is an etching solution tank.
- the etching solution include acidic solutions such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- the light irradiation unit 220 irradiates the light receiving surface or the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 in the etching unit 210 with light. Since light is shielded from the back surface by the metal electrode layer, it is preferable to irradiate the light receiving surface with light.
- the light irradiation unit 220 is, for example, a light irradiation device that irradiates light having a wavelength corresponding to the photoluminescence characteristics of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- the solar cell in the cell region 2 of the solar cell unit 1 is under a high illuminance environment corresponding to an outdoor solar environment (for example, 1 sun (1000 W / m 2 )) and an indoor lighting environment.
- a low-light environment corresponding to for example, an environment where the current density is 1/100 or more and 1/1000 or less of the current density obtained outdoors
- the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 in the etching section 210 Two different intensities of light, high illuminance and low illuminance, are irradiated in order.
- the output of the light source may not be stable and the accuracy and reproducibility may decrease.
- the photoluminescence observation unit 230 sequentially observes the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate 11 in the etching unit 210.
- Examples of the photoluminescence observation unit include a known photoluminescence intensity measuring device incorporating a CCD image sensor or the like.
- the photoluminescence observation unit 230 may simultaneously observe the photoluminescence intensity of each cell region 2 and perform decomposition analysis and synthetic analysis for each pixel.
- the etching end determination unit 240 determines the end of etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z based on the photoluminescence intensity for light of two intensities. Specifically, when the photoluminescence intensity for high illuminance light is equal to or higher than a predetermined value but the photoluminescence intensity for low illuminance light is less than a predetermined value, the etching end determination unit 240 is used for high illuminance. Since there is a leak current due to insufficient etching that can be ignored but cannot be ignored in low illuminance, it is determined that the etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z has not been completed.
- the predetermined value may be set in advance in consideration of the high illuminance environment and the low illuminance environment in which the solar cell in the cell region 2 of the solar cell unit 1 is used.
- the etching end determination unit 240 terminates the etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z when the photoluminescence intensity for high illuminance light becomes a predetermined value or more and the photoluminescence intensity for low illuminance light becomes a predetermined value or more. to decide.
- the etching end determination unit 240 may have a defect due to a factor other than the leakage current due to insufficient etching. , Defects due to factors other than insufficient etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z are determined.
- the predetermined time may be set in advance in consideration of the film forming conditions and the etching conditions of the transparent conductive film 28Z.
- the etching end determination unit 240 is composed of, for example, an arithmetic processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Various functions of the etching end determination unit 240 are realized, for example, by executing predetermined software (program, application) stored in the storage unit. Various functions of the etching end determination unit 240 may be realized by the cooperation of the hardware and the software, or may be realized only by the hardware (electronic circuit).
- arithmetic processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
- Various functions of the etching end determination unit 240 are realized, for example, by executing predetermined software (program, application) stored in the storage unit.
- Various functions of the etching end determination unit 240 may be realized by the cooperation of the hardware and the software, or may be realized only by the hardware (electronic circuit).
- the etching end determination unit 240 includes a storage unit.
- the storage unit stores in advance a threshold value (predetermined value) of photoluminescence intensity and an etching time (predetermined time) for determining the end of etching.
- the storage unit is, for example, a rewritable memory such as EEPROM, or a rewritable disk such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).
- the semiconductor substrate 11 in which the transparent conductive film 28Z is continuously formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer 25 and the second conductive type semiconductor layer 35 is immersed in the etching portion 210 (wet etching). ).
- the transparent conductive film 28Z is etched using the first metal electrode layer 29 and the second metal electrode layer 39 formed on the transparent conductive film 28Z as masks, and the first conductive semiconductor layer is as shown in FIG. 11D.
- the first transparent electrode layer 28 and the second transparent electrode layer 38 are patterned on each of the 25 and the second conductive semiconductor layer 35.
- the light irradiation unit 220 irradiates the light receiving surface or the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 with light having a wavelength corresponding to the photoluminescence characteristic of the semiconductor substrate 11. Specifically, the light irradiation unit 220 sequentially irradiates the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 in the etching unit 210 with two different intensities of light, high illuminance and low illuminance. Then, the photoluminescence observation unit 230 sequentially observes the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate 11.
- FIG. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the separation distance between the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38.
- FIG. 13A is a diagram for explaining the case where (i) the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 are not sufficiently etched and the separation distance between the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 is small
- FIG. 13B is (ii) transparent. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where the etching of the electrode layers 28, 38 is appropriate, and the separation distance of the transparent electrode layers 28, 38 is appropriate, and FIG. Is an excess, and is a figure for demonstrating the case where the separation distance of the transparent electrode layers 28, 38 is large.
- FIG. 14A is a diagram showing the relationship of the open circuit voltage Voc of the semiconductor substrate 11 with respect to the etching time of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38
- FIG. 14B is a curve of the semiconductor substrate 11 with respect to the etching time of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38.
- It is a figure which shows the relationship of the factor FF
- FIG. 14C is a figure which shows the relationship of the curve factor FF with respect to the open circuit voltage Voc of the semiconductor substrate 11.
- FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the photoluminescence strength of the semiconductor substrate 11 and the etching time of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38.
- FIG. 13A if (i) the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 are not sufficiently etched and the separation distance between the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 is small, (i) of FIG. 14A and (i) of FIG. 13B are shown. As shown in, the Voc and FF of the semiconductor substrate 11 are low. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15 (i), the photoluminescence strength of the semiconductor substrate 11 is also low.
- the etching of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 progresses and the separation distance between the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 increases, the Voc and FF of the semiconductor substrate 11 increase. At this time, the photoluminescence strength of the semiconductor substrate 11 also increases.
- the etching of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 progresses and the separation distance between the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 becomes large, the Voc of the semiconductor substrate 11 remains at the maximum, but the FF decreases. At this time, the photoluminescence strength of the semiconductor substrate 11 remains at the maximum.
- the transparent electrode layer is the time when the PL intensity becomes maximum (saturation) or the decrease amount (change amount) of the photoluminescence intensity per unit time becomes a predetermined value or less.
- Etching of 28 and 38 is an appropriate (optimal) time point.
- FIG. 17 shows an example of the relationship between the photoluminescence intensity in a high-light environment and the photoluminescence intensity in a low-light environment.
- the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to a high illuminance environment for example, 1 sun
- the photoluminescence intensity at the time of light irradiation corresponding to a low illuminance environment for example, an environment in which the current density is 1/110 with respect to the current density in a high illuminance environment
- a low illuminance environment for example, an environment in which the current density is 1/110 with respect to the current density in a high illuminance environment
- the etching end determination unit 240 determines the end of etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z based on the photoluminescence intensity for light of two intensities. Specifically, even if the photoluminescence intensity for high-illuminance light becomes a predetermined value or more as shown by the diamond-shaped point in FIG. 17, the photoluminescence intensity for low-illuminance light is a predetermined value by the etching end determination unit 240. If it is less than, it is determined that the etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z has not been completed because there is a leak current due to insufficient etching that can be ignored in high illuminance but not in low illuminance.
- the etching end determination unit 240 makes the photoluminescence intensity for high illuminance light equal to or higher than a predetermined value and the photoluminescence intensity for low illuminance light becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, as shown by the round point in FIG. , Judge the end of etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z.
- the etching end determination unit 240 determines whether the transparent conductive film 28Z is defective due to factors other than insufficient etching.
- the method for manufacturing the solar cell unit 1 and the etching apparatus 200 of the solar cell unit 1 of the present embodiment not only the photoluminescence characteristics in a high illuminance environment but also the photo in a low illuminance environment
- the end of etching of the transparent conductive film 28Z is determined based on the illuminance characteristic.
- the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 of the cell region (solar cell) 2 used in a low illuminance environment can be appropriately etched. This makes it possible to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the cell region (solar cell) 2 in low illuminance.
- the photoelectric conversion efficiency (lifetime) is lowered due to the leakage current due to insufficient etching, and other factors. It is possible to isolate the decrease in photoelectric conversion efficiency (lifetime) caused by this.
- a plurality of solar cells are mounted on a large-format semiconductor substrate (Wafer) having a specified size (for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape). Is laid out.
- a large-format semiconductor substrate for example, a 6-inch semi-square shape.
- the film thickness of the transparent electrode layer varies depending on the position in the PVD apparatus. As described above, if the film thickness of the transparent electrode layer varies depending on the semiconductor substrate (wafer), it is difficult to set the optimum etching time when the transparent electrode layers of a plurality of semiconductor substrates are etched at the same time.
- the film thickness of the transparent conductive film 28Z among the plurality of semiconductor substrates 11 is increased.
- Light irradiation, photoluminescence intensity observation, and etching completion determination are performed on at least one semiconductor substrate 11 (thickness) having the thickest thickness and at least one semiconductor substrate 11 (thin) having the thinnest thickness of the transparent conductive film 28Z. It may be the target of.
- At least one semiconductor substrate 11 (thickness) having the thickest transparent conductive film 28Z and at least one semiconductor substrate 11 (thin) having the thinnest transparent conductive film 28Z are used in the cassette 115. Set at both ends and observe the photoluminescence intensity at both ends of the cassette 115. As a result, even if the film thicknesses of the transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 vary depending on the semiconductor substrate 11, the plurality of transparent electrode layers 28 and 38 can be etched more appropriately.
- At least one semiconductor substrate having the thickest transparent conductive film 28Z among the plurality of semiconductor substrates 11 It is sufficient to use only 11 (thickness) as a target for light irradiation, photoluminescence intensity observation, and etching end determination.
- At least one semiconductor substrate 11 (thickness) having the thickest transparent conductive film 28Z is set on one end of the cassette 115, and the photoluminescence intensity is observed at one end of the cassette 115.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made.
- the etching end determination is made based on the photoluminescence characteristics for light of two intensities of high illuminance and low illuminance.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and the photoluminescence property for three or more intensity lights between high illuminance and low illuminance, including one more intensity light between high illuminance and low illuminance.
- the etching end may be determined based on the above.
- the light irradiation unit 220 sequentially irradiates the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 in the etching unit 210 with light having at least two different intensities of high illuminance and the low illuminance
- the photoluminescence observation unit 230 is the etching unit.
- the photoluminescence intensity from the semiconductor substrate 11 in 210 may be observed in order, and the etching end determination unit 240 may determine the end of etching of the conductive film based on the photoluminescence intensity for light of at least two intensities.
- the manufacturing method and the etching apparatus of the solar cell unit 1 having a plurality of cell regions (solar cell) 2 are exemplified.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit having one cell region (solar cell) and an etching apparatus.
- the manufacturing method and the etching apparatus of the solar cell unit 1 having the margin region 3 are exemplified.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a solar cell unit having no margin region, that is, a method for manufacturing a solar cell unit in which the solar cell unit is a cell region (solar cell) and an etching apparatus. ..
- a method and an apparatus for etching a transparent electrode layer using a metal electrode layer as a mask have been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
- the features of the present invention are also applicable to methods and devices for etching a transparent electrode layer using a general metal mask or resist as a mask.
- wet etching using an etching solution is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the features of the present invention can also be applied to dry etching.
- the heterojunction type solar cell and the solar cell unit are exemplified as shown in FIG. 10, but the present invention is not limited to the heterojunction type solar cell and the solar cell unit. , Applicable to various solar cells and solar cell units such as homojunction type solar cells.
- a solar cell and a solar cell unit having a crystalline silicon substrate are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
- the solar cell and the solar cell unit may have a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate.
- GaAs gallium arsenide
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
また、本発明は、低照度環境下で使用される太陽電池セルの電極層のエッチングを適切に行うことができる太陽電池ユニットの製造方法および太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置を提供することを目的とする。
また、本発明によれば、低照度環境下で使用される太陽電池セルの電極層のエッチングを適切に行うことができる。
第1実施形態では、フォトルミネッセンス強度に基づく太陽電池ユニットの良否判定に関する技術について説明する。
図1は、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットを裏面側からみた図である。図1に示す太陽電池ユニット1は、規定サイズ(例えば、6インチのセミスクエア形状)の半導体基板(大判半導体基板)(Wafer)11を備える。太陽電池ユニット1は、半導体基板11の主面において、複数の太陽電池セルの各々が形成された複数のセル領域2と、それ以外の余白領域3とを有する。また、太陽電池ユニット1は、余白領域3の一部に、第1導電型単位領域4と、第2導電型単位領域5と、pn短絡領域6とを有する。
セル領域2は、例えばレーザダイシングによって、太陽電池ユニット1から切り出されることにより、裏面電極型(バックコンタクト型、裏面接合型ともいう。)であってヘテロ接合型の太陽電池セルとなる領域である。
図2および図4に示すように、余白領域3では、半導体基板11の受光面側にパッシベーション層13および光学調整層15が順に形成されている。また、余白領域3では、半導体基板11の裏面側にパッシベーション層23,33が積層された状態であってもよい。余白領域3は、第1導電型単位領域4と、第2導電型単位領域5と、pn短絡領域6とを有する。
第1導電型単位領域4は、単位面積の領域である。第1導電型単位領域4では、半導体基板11の裏面側にパッシベーション層23および第1導電型半導体層25が順に形成されている。単位面積の大きさとしては、特に限定されないが、後述する良否判定装置におけるフォトルミネッセンス観測部の検出分解能に応じて設定されればよい。
第2導電型単位領域5は、単位面積の領域である。第2導電型単位領域5では、半導体基板11の裏面側にパッシベーション層33および第2導電型半導体層35が順に形成されている。単位面積の大きさとしては、特に限定されないが、後述する良否判定装置におけるフォトルミネッセンス観測部の検出分解能に応じて設定されればよい。
pn短絡領域6では、半導体基板11の裏面側の一部にパッシベーション層23および第1導電型半導体層25が順に形成されており、半導体基板11の裏面側の他の一部にパッシベーション層33および第2導電型半導体層35が順に形成されている。また、pn短絡領域6では、第1導電型半導体層25および第2導電型半導体層35に対応し、これらを電気的に短絡する第3電極層27Aが形成されている。pn短絡領域6の大きさとしては、特に限定されないが、後述するフォトルミネッセンス観測部の検出分解能に応じて設定されればよい。
次に、図5A~図5D、図6A~図6Cおよび図7を参照して、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法について説明する。図5Aおよび図6Aは、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における半導体層形成工程を示す図であり、図5Bおよび図6Bは、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における透明導電膜形成工程(透明電極層形成工程)を示す図である。図5Cおよび図6Cは、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における金属電極層形成工程を示す図であり、図5Dは、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における透明電極層形成工程を示す図である。また、図7は、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における良否判定工程、および良否判定装置を示す図である。
次に、図7を参照して、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニット1の良否判定装置、すなわちセル領域(太陽電池セル)2の光電変換特性の良否判定装置、について説明するとともに、第1実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニット1の良否判定方法、すなわち上述した良否判定工程におけるセル領域2の太陽電池セルの光電変換特性の良否判定方法、について説明する。図7に示すように、良否判定装置100は、上述した太陽電池ユニット1の状態で、セル領域2における太陽電池セルの光電変換特性の良否判定を行う装置である。良否判定装置100は、光照射部110と、フォトルミネッセンス観測部120と、良否判定部130とを備える。
セル領域における第1導電型領域の面積比率前および記第2導電型領域の面積比率として第1セル面積比率および第2セル面積比率、第1導電型単位領域に対するセル領域の第1導電型領域の面積比率として第1導電型領域面積比率、および、第2導電型単位領域に対するセル領域の第2導電型領域の面積比率として第2導電型領域面積比率を算出し、
pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準としたセル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を、第1セル面積比率および第1導電型領域面積比率で除算した第1セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度、および、pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準としたセル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を、第2セル面積比率および第2導電型領域面積比率で除算した第2セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
算出した第1セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、算出した第2セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、
算出した第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離した第1セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域の太陽電池セル、および/または、算出した第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離した第2セル単位領域フォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域の太陽電池セルを、低照度環境下での光電変換特性の不良と判定してもよい。
第2実施形態では、フォトルミネッセンス強度に基づく太陽電池ユニットのエッチング終了判定に関する技術について説明する。
図8は、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットを裏面側からみた図である。図8に示す太陽電池ユニット1は、規定サイズ(例えば、6インチのセミスクエア形状)の半導体基板(大判半導体基板)(Wafer)11を備える。太陽電池ユニット1は、半導体基板11の主面において、複数の太陽電池セルの各々が形成された複数のセル領域2と、それ以外の余白領域3とを有する。
セル領域2は、例えばレーザダイシングによって、太陽電池ユニット1から切り出されることにより、裏面電極型(バックコンタクト型、裏面接合型ともいう。)であってヘテロ接合型の太陽電池セルとなる領域である。
余白領域3では、半導体基板11の受光面側にパッシベーション層13および光学調整層15が順に形成されていてもよい。また、余白領域3では、半導体基板11の裏面側に、パッシベーション層23、第1導電型半導体層25が形成された状態であってもよいし、或いはパッシベーション層33、第2導電型半導体層35が形成された状態であってもよい。
次に、図11A~図11Dを参照して、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法について説明する。図11Aは、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における半導体層形成工程を示す図であり、図11Bは、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における透明導電膜形成工程を示す図である。図11Cは、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における金属電極層形成工程を示す図であり、図11Dは、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットの製造方法における透明電極層形成工程を示す図である。図11A~図11Dでは、半導体基板11の裏面側を示し、半導体基板11の表面側を省略する。
次に、図12を参照して、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニット1のエッチング装置、すなわち、セル領域(太陽電池セル)2における透明電極層のエッチング装置、について説明する。図12は、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置、すなわち、セル領域(太陽電池セル)における透明電極層のエッチング装置、を示す図である。図12に示すように、エッチング装置200は、上述した透明電極層形成工程において、セル領域(太陽電池セル)2における第1透明電極層28および第2透明電極層38を形成するためのエッチング装置である。エッチング装置200は、エッチング部210と、光照射部220と、フォトルミネッセンス観測部230と、エッチング終了判断部240とを備える。
次に、第2実施形態に係る太陽電池ユニット1のエッチング方法、すなわち上述した透明電極層形成工程におけるセル領域(太陽電池セル)2の透明電極層28,38のエッチング方法、について説明する。
2 セル領域(太陽電池セル)
3 余白領域
4 第1導電型単位領域
5 第2導電型単位領域
6 pn短絡領域
7 第1導電型領域
7b,8b バスバー部
7f,8f フィンガー部
8 第2導電型領域
11 半導体基板(大判半導体基板)
13,23,33 パッシベーション層
15 光学調整層
25 第1導電型半導体層
27 第1電極層
27A 第3電極層
28 第1透明電極層(電極層)
28A 透明電極層
28Z 透明導電膜(導電膜)
29 第1金属電極層
29A 金属電極層
35 第2導電型半導体層
37 第2電極層
38 第2透明電極層(電極層)
39 第2金属電極層
100 良否判定装置
110 光照射部
120 フォトルミネッセンス観測部(PL観測部)
130 良否判定部
200 エッチング装置
210 エッチング部
215 カセット
220光照射部
230 フォトルミネッセンス観測部
240 エッチング終了判断部
Claims (26)
- 大判半導体基板に、裏面電極型の太陽電池セルが形成されたセル領域と、それ以外の余白領域とを有する太陽電池ユニットであって、
前記セル領域は、第1導電型領域と第2導電型領域とを有し、前記第1導電型はp型およびn型のうちの一方であり、前記第2導電型はp型およびn型のうちの他方であり、
前記第1導電型領域では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側に第1導電型半導体層および第1電極層が形成されており、
前記第2導電型領域では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側に第2導電型半導体層および第2電極層が形成されており、
前記余白領域は、単位面積の第1導電型単位領域と、単位面積の第2導電型単位領域と、pn短絡領域とを有し、
前記第1導電型単位領域では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側に第1導電型半導体層が形成されており、
前記第2導電型単位領域では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側に第2導電型半導体層が形成されており、
前記pn短絡領域では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側に第1導電型半導体層と、第2導電型半導体層と、前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層を電気的に短絡する第3電極層とが形成されている、
太陽電池ユニット。 - 請求項1に記載の太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置であって、
前記大判半導体基板の主面に光を照射する光照射部と、
前記大判半導体基板からのフォトルミネッセンス強度を観測するフォトルミネッセンス観測部と、
前記フォトルミネッセンス強度に基づいて、前記太陽電池ユニットにおける前記セル領域の太陽電池セルの良否判定を行う良否判定部と、
を備え、
前記光照射部は、
前記太陽電池ユニットの前記セル領域における前記太陽電池セルが、屋外の太陽光環境下に対応する高照度環境下および屋内の照明環境下に対応する低照度環境下で使用されると仮定した場合に、
前記大判半導体基板の主面に、前記高照度よりも小さく、かつ、前記低照度よりも大きい強度の光を照射し、
前記良否判定部は、
前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準として、前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度、前記第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
算出した前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、
算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離したフォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域の太陽電池セルを、前記低照度環境下での光電変換特性の不良と判定する、
太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置。 - 前記良否判定部は、前記第1導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域の面積比率、および、前記第2導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第2導電型領域の面積比率を考慮して、算出した前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較する、請求項2に記載の太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置。
- 前記良否判定部は、
前記第1導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域の面積比率として第1導電型領域面積比率、および、前記第2導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第2導電型領域の面積比率として第2導電型領域面積比率を算出し、
前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準とした前記第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に前記第1導電型領域面積比率を乗算した第1導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度、および、前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準とした前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に前記第2導電型領域面積比率を乗算した第1導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
前記第1導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度と前記第2導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度とを加算した基準フォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
算出した前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記基準フォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、
算出した前記基準フォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離したフォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域の太陽電池セルを、前記低照度環境下での光電変換特性の不良と判定する、
請求項3に記載の太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置。 - 大判半導体基板に、裏面電極型の太陽電池セルが形成されたセル領域と、それ以外の余白領域とを有する太陽電池ユニットの製造方法であって、
前記セル領域は、第1導電型領域と第2導電型領域とを有し、前記第1導電型はp型およびn型のうちの一方であり、前記第2導電型はp型およびn型のうちの他方であり、
前記余白領域は、単位面積の第1導電型単位領域と、単位面積の第2導電型単位領域と、pn短絡領域とを有し、
前記太陽電池ユニットの製造方法は、
前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域に第1導電型半導体層を形成し、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記セル領域の第2導電型領域に第2導電型半導体層を形成し、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記余白領域の前記第1導電型単位領域に第1導電型半導体層を形成し、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記余白領域の前記第2導電型単位領域に第2導電型半導体層を形成し、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記余白領域の前記pn短絡領域に第1導電型半導体層および第2導電型半導体層を形成する半導体層形成工程と、
前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域の第1導電型半導体層に対応する第1電極層、前記セル領域の前記第2導電型領域の第2導電型半導体層に対応する第2電極層、および、前記余白領域の前記pn短絡領域の第1導電型半導体層および第2導電型半導体層に対応してこれらを電気的に短絡する第3電極層を形成する電極層形成工程と、
前記太陽電池ユニットにおける前記セル領域の前記太陽電池セルの良否判定を行う良否判定工程と、
を含み、
前記良否判定工程では、
前記太陽電池ユニットの前記セル領域における前記太陽電池セルが、屋外の太陽光環境下に対応する高照度環境下および屋内の照明環境下に対応する低照度環境下で使用されると仮定した場合に、前記大判半導体基板の主面に、前記高照度よりも小さく、かつ、前記低照度よりも大きい強度の光を照射し、
前記大判半導体基板における前記セル領域からのフォトルミネッセンス強度を観測するとともに、前記大判半導体基板における前記第1導電型単位領域、前記第2導電型単位領域、および前記pn短絡領域からのフォトルミネッセンス強度を観測し、
前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準として、前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度、前記第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
算出した前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、
算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離したフォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域の太陽電池セルを、低照度環境下での光電変換特性の不良と判定する、
太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記良否判定工程では、前記第1導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域の面積比率、および、前記第2導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第2導電型領域の面積比率を考慮して、算出した前記セル領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記第1導電型単位領域および前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較する、請求項5に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。
- 前記良否判定工程では、
前記第1導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第1導電型領域の面積比率として第1導電型領域面積比率、および、前記第2導電型単位領域に対する前記セル領域の前記第2導電型領域の面積比率として第2導電型領域面積比率を算出し、
前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準とした前記第1導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に前記第1導電型領域面積比率を乗算した第1導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度、および、前記pn短絡領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度を基準とした前記第2導電型単位領域のフォトルミネッセンス強度に前記第2導電型領域面積比率を乗算した第2導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
前記第1導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度と前記第2導電型領域基準フォトルミネッセンス強度を加算した基準フォトルミネッセンス強度を算出し、
算出した前記セル領域からのフォトルミネッセンス強度と、算出した前記基準フォトルミネッセンス強度とを比較し、
算出した前記基準フォトルミネッセンス強度に対して所定量以上乖離したフォトルミネッセンス強度のセル領域を、低照度環境下での光電変換特性の不良と判定する、
請求項6に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層形成工程では、前記大判半導体基板の裏面側の前記セル領域の前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層の上に連続して導電膜を製膜し、前記導電膜をエッチングして、前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層の各々にパターン化された前記第1電極層および前記第2電極層を形成する、請求項5~7のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。
- 前記第1電極層および前記第2電極層は透明電極層であり、前記導電膜は透明導電膜であり、
前記電極層形成工程では、前記透明導電膜の上に金属電極層を製膜し、前記金属電極層をマスクとして、前記透明導電膜をエッチングする、請求項8に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記エッチングは、エッチング溶液を用いたウエットエッチングである、請求項8または9に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。
- 半導体基板に、裏面電極型の太陽電池セルが形成されたセル領域を有する太陽電池ユニットの製造方法であって、
前記半導体基板の裏面側の前記セル領域の一部に第1導電型半導体層を形成し、前記半導体基板の前記裏面側の前記セル領域の他の一部に第2導電型半導体層を形成する半導体層形成工程と、
前記半導体基板の前記裏面側の前記セル領域の前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層の上に連続して導電膜を製膜し、前記導電膜をエッチングして、前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層の各々にパターン化された電極層を形成する電極層形成工程と、
を含み、
前記電極層形成工程では、
前記太陽電池ユニットの前記セル領域における前記太陽電池セルが、屋外の太陽光環境下に対応する高照度環境下および屋内の照明環境下に対応する低照度環境下で使用されると仮定した場合に、前記半導体基板の主面に、前記高照度と前記低照度との少なくとも2つの異なる強度の光を順に照射し、
前記半導体基板からのフォトルミネッセンス強度を順に観測し、
前記少なくとも2つの強度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度に基づいて、前記導電膜のエッチングの終了を判断する、
太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層形成工程では、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となり、かつ前記低照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となる場合に、前記導電膜のエッチングの終了を判断する、
請求項11に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層形成工程では、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となり、かつ前記低照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値未満である場合には、前記導電膜のエッチングの未終了を判断する、
請求項11または12に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層形成工程では、所定時間経過しても、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値未満である場合、前記導電膜のエッチングの不足以外の他の要因による不良を判断する、
請求項11~13のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層は透明電極層であり、前記導電膜は透明導電膜であり、
前記電極層形成工程では、前記透明導電膜の上に金属電極層を製膜し、前記金属電極層をマスクとして、前記透明導電膜をエッチングする、請求項11~14のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記エッチングは、エッチング溶液を用いたウエットエッチングである、請求項11~15のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。
- 前記電極層形成工程では、
カセットを用いて複数の前記半導体基板を同時にエッチングし、
前記複数の半導体基板のうち、前記導電膜の膜厚が最も厚い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板を、光照射、フォトルミネッセンス強度観測、およびエッチング終了判断の対象とする、
請求項11~16のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 前記電極層形成工程では、
カセットを用いて複数の前記半導体基板を同時にエッチングし、
前記複数の半導体基板のうち、前記導電膜の膜厚が最も厚い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板、および前記導電膜の膜厚が最も薄い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板を、光照射、フォトルミネッセンス強度観測、およびエッチング終了判断の対象とする、
請求項11~16のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットの製造方法。 - 半導体基板に、裏面電極型の太陽電池セルが形成されたセル領域を有する太陽電池ユニットにおいて、前記セル領域における電極層を形成するエッチング装置であって、
前記半導体基板の裏面側の前記セル領域の第1導電型半導体層および第2導電型半導体層の上に連続して製膜された導電膜をエッチングして、前記第1導電型半導体層および前記第2導電型半導体層の各々にパターン化された前記電極層を形成するエッチング部と、
前記太陽電池ユニットの前記セル領域における前記太陽電池セルが、屋外の太陽光環境下に対応する高照度環境下および屋内の照明環境下に対応する低照度環境下で使用されると仮定した場合に、前記エッチング部における前記半導体基板の主面に、前記高照度と前記低照度との少なくとも2つの異なる強度の光を順に照射する光照射部と、
前記エッチング部における前記半導体基板からのフォトルミネッセンス強度を順に観測するフォトルミネッセンス観測部と、
前記少なくとも2つの強度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度に基づいて、前記導電膜のエッチングの終了を判断するエッチング終了判断部と、
を備える、太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記エッチング終了判断部は、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となり、かつ前記低照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となる場合に、前記導電膜のエッチングの終了を判断する、
請求項19に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記エッチング終了判断部は、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値以上となり、かつ前記低照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値未満である場合には、前記導電膜のエッチングの未終了を判断する、
請求項19または20に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記エッチング終了判断部は、所定時間経過しても、前記高照度の光に対するフォトルミネッセンス強度が所定値未満である場合、前記導電膜のエッチングの不足以外の他の要因による不良を判断する、
請求項19~21のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記電極層は透明電極層であり、前記導電膜は透明導電膜であり、
前記エッチング部は、前記透明導電膜の上に形成された金属電極層をマスクとして、前記透明導電膜をエッチングする、請求項19~22のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記エッチング部は、エッチング溶液を用いたウエットエッチングを行う、請求項19~23のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。
- 前記エッチング部は、カセットを用いて複数の前記半導体基板を同時にエッチングし、
前記光照射部、前記フォトルミネッセンス観測部および前記エッチング終了判断部は、前記複数の半導体基板のうち、前記導電膜の膜厚が最も厚い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板を、光照射、フォトルミネッセンス強度観測、およびエッチング終了判断の対象とする、
請求項19~24のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。 - 前記エッチング部は、カセットを用いて複数の前記半導体基板を同時にエッチングし、
前記光照射部、前記フォトルミネッセンス観測部および前記エッチング終了判断部は、前記複数の半導体基板のうち、前記導電膜の膜厚が最も厚い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板、および前記導電膜の膜厚が最も薄い方の少なくとも1つの半導体基板を、光照射、フォトルミネッセンス強度観測、およびエッチング終了判断の対象とする、
請求項19~24のいずれか1項に記載の太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置。
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2022571697A JPWO2022138941A1 (ja) | 2020-12-25 | 2021-12-24 | |
CN202180078740.5A CN116490982A (zh) | 2020-12-25 | 2021-12-24 | 太阳能电池单元、太阳能电池单元的优劣判定装置、太阳能电池单元的蚀刻装置以及太阳能电池单元的制造方法 |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2020217576 | 2020-12-25 | ||
JP2020-217576 | 2020-12-25 | ||
JP2021010748 | 2021-01-27 | ||
JP2021-010748 | 2021-01-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2022138941A1 true WO2022138941A1 (ja) | 2022-06-30 |
Family
ID=82158242
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2021/048326 WO2022138941A1 (ja) | 2020-12-25 | 2021-12-24 | 太陽電池ユニット、太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置、太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置、および太陽電池ユニットの製造方法 |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (1) | JPWO2022138941A1 (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2022138941A1 (ja) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN115985803A (zh) * | 2023-03-22 | 2023-04-18 | 广东联塑班皓新能源科技集团有限公司 | 一种光伏组件生产系统 |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2014045159A (ja) * | 2012-08-29 | 2014-03-13 | Sharp Corp | 太陽電池セルユニット、配線シート付き太陽電池セルユニット及び太陽電池モジュール |
JP2015026665A (ja) * | 2013-07-25 | 2015-02-05 | シャープ株式会社 | 裏面電極型太陽電池、裏面電極型太陽電池を使用した太陽電池モジュールおよび裏面電極型太陽電池の製造方法 |
WO2015122257A1 (ja) * | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-20 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子 |
US20180108796A1 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2018-04-19 | Solarcity Corporation | Cascaded photovoltaic structures with interdigitated back contacts |
WO2019146366A1 (ja) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-08-01 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池モジュール |
-
2021
- 2021-12-24 WO PCT/JP2021/048326 patent/WO2022138941A1/ja active Application Filing
- 2021-12-24 JP JP2022571697A patent/JPWO2022138941A1/ja active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2014045159A (ja) * | 2012-08-29 | 2014-03-13 | Sharp Corp | 太陽電池セルユニット、配線シート付き太陽電池セルユニット及び太陽電池モジュール |
JP2015026665A (ja) * | 2013-07-25 | 2015-02-05 | シャープ株式会社 | 裏面電極型太陽電池、裏面電極型太陽電池を使用した太陽電池モジュールおよび裏面電極型太陽電池の製造方法 |
WO2015122257A1 (ja) * | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-20 | シャープ株式会社 | 光電変換素子 |
US20180108796A1 (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2018-04-19 | Solarcity Corporation | Cascaded photovoltaic structures with interdigitated back contacts |
WO2019146366A1 (ja) * | 2018-01-25 | 2019-08-01 | 株式会社カネカ | 太陽電池モジュール |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN115985803A (zh) * | 2023-03-22 | 2023-04-18 | 广东联塑班皓新能源科技集团有限公司 | 一种光伏组件生产系统 |
CN115985803B (zh) * | 2023-03-22 | 2023-07-04 | 广东联塑班皓新能源科技集团有限公司 | 一种光伏组件生产系统 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPWO2022138941A1 (ja) | 2022-06-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9252306B2 (en) | Multilayer thin-film photoelectric converter and its manufacturing method | |
KR101661768B1 (ko) | 태양전지 및 이의 제조 방법 | |
US9082920B2 (en) | Back contact solar cell and manufacturing method thereof | |
EP3240045B1 (en) | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same | |
US8637948B2 (en) | Photovoltaic device | |
US10600926B2 (en) | Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same | |
WO2022138941A1 (ja) | 太陽電池ユニット、太陽電池ユニットの良否判定装置、太陽電池ユニットのエッチング装置、および太陽電池ユニットの製造方法 | |
US9929297B2 (en) | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same | |
US20140196777A1 (en) | Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same | |
US8338213B2 (en) | Method for manufacturing solar cell | |
JP2014110330A (ja) | 太陽電池モジュール | |
KR20160125760A (ko) | 태양 전지용 통합 계측기 | |
KR102405082B1 (ko) | 저온 소성 도전성 페이스트를 이용한 태양전지의 전극 제조 방법 | |
CN116490982A (zh) | 太阳能电池单元、太阳能电池单元的优劣判定装置、太阳能电池单元的蚀刻装置以及太阳能电池单元的制造方法 | |
EP3206233A1 (en) | Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same | |
WO2021117818A1 (ja) | 光電変換素子のエッチング方法、および光電変換素子のエッチング装置 | |
JP6781985B2 (ja) | 太陽電池の評価方法及び評価装置並びに太陽電池の評価用プログラム | |
KR101708242B1 (ko) | 태양전지 및 이의 제조 방법 | |
WO2018079657A1 (ja) | 太陽電池の検査方法および検査装置、太陽電池の製造方法および太陽電池モジュールの製造方法、ならびに検査用プログラムおよび記憶媒体 | |
KR20110111165A (ko) | 박막 태양전지 검사장치 및 이를 이용한 박막 태양전지의 제조방법 | |
JP4761714B2 (ja) | 太陽電池およびこれを用いた太陽電池モジュール | |
KR101349847B1 (ko) | 바이패스 다이오드 일체형 태양전지 패키지 | |
JP2022102697A (ja) | 太陽電池ユニットおよび太陽電池ユニットの製造方法 | |
JP6195478B2 (ja) | 太陽電池素子及び太陽電池モジュール | |
JP2017129480A (ja) | 検査方法および検査装置 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
DPE2 | Request for preliminary examination filed before expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101) | ||
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 21911078 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2022571697 Country of ref document: JP Kind code of ref document: A |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 202180078740.5 Country of ref document: CN |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 21911078 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |