Materials for interconnector of solar cell

a technology of solar cells and interconnectors, which is applied in the direction of photovoltaic energy generation, semiconductor devices, electrical equipment, etc., can solve the problems of deficient strength of alloys, solar cells damaged, and electric conductivity deterioration so prominently, so as to improve strength and long-term reliability of solar cells

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-10-04
TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL IND
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] As described above, the material for an interconnector according to the present invention has been improved in strength in addition that been inhibited from getting softened due to heat cycle, over the conventional materials consisting of silver alloys. The present invention can inhibit an interconnector of a solar cell from damages caused by softening due to heat cycle in outer space as well as by stress cycle, thereby insuring long-term reliability of a solar cell.

Problems solved by technology

The present inventors decided that heat cycle causes a thermal expansion difference between the interconnector and the substrate, and the interconnector cannot withstand stress cycle caused by the heat cycle and eventually ruptures, thereby damaging the solar cells.
The reason is that when it is lower than 0.08%, deficient strength of an alloy might rupture during use, and when it exceeds 0.8%, electric conductivity will deteriorate so prominently that an interconnector will not sufficiently function.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the present examples, silver-copper-calcium alloy and silver-copper-strontium alloy of various compositions were produced through a vacuum induction melting method. An induction-molten ingot was extruded to be 5.0 mm in diameter, and consequently was wire-drawn to prepare a wire of 0.8 mm in diameter.

[0015] The alloy wire thus produced was measured in terms of mechanical properties, electric conductivity, and softening-start temperature. Regarding mechanical properties, tensile strength via a tensile test, 0.2% proof stress, Young's modulus and elongation were measured, and hardness was measured via Vickers test. The softening-start temperature was obtained through applying heat treatments at various temperatures to worked materials, and measuring changes in hardness at heat treatment temperatures. Table 1 shows results of them. Table 1 also shows, as a comparative example, results of measureme...

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Abstract

The present invention provides a material for an interconnector of a solar cell, comprising copper; calcium or strontium; and the balance silver. Desirable contents in the alloy are 0.08-0.8 by atomic percent with respect to copper, 0.015-0.15 by atomic percent with respect to calcium if added, and 0.005-0.2 by atomic percent with respect to strontium if added.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a material for an interconnector of a solar cell mounted in artificial satellites. Specifically, the present invention relates to a material for an interconnector, which does not soften due to heat cycle, and further is excellent in mechanical strength and has high electric conductivity. BACKGROUND ART [0002] As a material for an interconnector of a solar cell mounted in artificial satellites, alloy materials having silver as a main component have been conventionally known. One of the grounds silver alloys are used for the purpose is that silver has the highest electric conductivity in various metals, and addition of alloy elements to the main component of silver in an appropriate manner will make a suitable conductive member for an interconnector being used in outer space. [0003] As the conventionally known materials for interconnectors of solar cells, Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 7-83132 discloses a ma...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C22C5/08
CPCC22C5/08H01L31/0512Y02E10/50
Inventor SHIMA, KUNIHIROTAKADA, KAZUYASU
Owner TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL IND
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