Xu B., Limb S., Rodkin A., Shrader E., Garner S.
PARC, a Xerox company, US
Keywords: inkjet printing, metallization, nanoparticle inks, solar cells
The process and quality of metallization greatly affects the performance and cost of solar cells. Screen printing of silver paste and fire-through of the silicon nitride antireflection layer is the most widely used method for front side metallization, but it produces a very resistive metal-silicon contact, which significantly limits the cell efficiency. The rapid progress in nanotechnology may provide opportunities to improve solar cell manufacturing process and performance without increasing the fabrication cost. As an example, this paper will discuss the substantial contact resistance reduction that can be achieved using inkjet printed metal nanoparticle inks.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2012: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy (Volume 3)
Published: June 18, 2012
Pages: 391 - 394
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Solar Technologies
ISBN: 978-1-4665-6276-9