Solar cells and solar modules

The solar cell design with a tailored passivation layer and structured grooves/cracks addresses efficiency loss from varying cut surfaces, improving conversion efficiency and reducing defects.

JP2026068667AActive Publication Date: 2026-04-22LONGI PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY (ORDOS) CO LTD
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
LONGI PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY (ORDOS) CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-03-27
Publication Date
2026-04-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The efficiency of solar cells is reduced due to varying cut surface shapes and complex morphologies post-cutting, leading to defects and reduced photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Method used

A solar cell design with a first passivation layer composed of aluminum oxide, varying oxygen-to-aluminum ratios across different regions of the cut surface, and structured groove and crack formations to balance surface morphology effects, enhancing passivation and light confinement.

Benefits of technology

Improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency by reducing recombination rates and enhancing light utilization, while minimizing defects and stress accumulation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026068667000001_ABST
    Figure 2026068667000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a solar cell that does not reduce conversion efficiency even if the shapes of different regions of the cross-section differ significantly. [Solution] The material includes opposing first and second surfaces and a side surface connecting the first and second surfaces. The side surface includes a cut surface including a cutting edge adjacent to the first surface and a fracture edge adjacent to the second surface, and a first passivation layer 4 formed on the cut surface, the first passivation layer 4 including an aluminum oxide passivation layer. The cut surface includes a first region adjacent to the cutting edge and a second region further from the cutting edge than the first region, the ratio of oxygen to aluminum elements in at least a portion of the second passivation layer 5 covering the first region is greater than the ratio of oxygen to aluminum elements in at least a portion of the second region.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , ,

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of solar cells, and more particularly to solar cells and solar modules.

Background Art

[0002] A solar cell is a device that utilizes solar energy and directly converts light energy into electrical energy by means of the photovoltaic effect or the photochemical effect. Solar cells include cut solar cells. Currently, in the production of cut solar cells, a solar cell with multiple film layers formed thereon is usually subjected to a cutting process to cut the entire solar cell into at least two cut solar cells, for example, two half-cut cells. Thereafter, the cut solar cells are used in the production of solar modules.

[0003] However, after cutting, the cut surfaces of the cut solar cells have significantly different shapes in different regions, which reduces the efficiency of the solar cells.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell and a solar module for improving the efficiency of a solar cell.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a solar cell. The solar cell includes a first surface and a second surface facing each other, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The side surface includes a cut surface including a cut edge close to the first surface and a fracture edge close to the second surface, and a first passivation layer formed on the cut surface. The first passivation layer includes an aluminum oxide passivation layer. The cut surface includes a first region close to the cut edge and a second region farther from the cut edge than the first region. The ratio of the oxygen element to the aluminum element in at least a part of the first region is greater than the ratio of the oxygen element to the aluminum element in at least a part of the second region.

[0006] The first region, near the cutting edge, is greatly affected by direct external forces and therefore has complex components and surface morphology, such as silicon shapes other than single-crystal silicon. The silicon in this region contains irregularly arranged amorphous shapes, and in many cases, there are a large number of defects and dangling bonds. Furthermore, the complex surface morphology leads to serious defect formation. Therefore, the presence of more oxygen elements can sufficiently react the silicon in this region, eliminating the resulting negative effects. However, the second region, compared to the first region, is not directly affected by external forces, or the direct external forces are weaker, and its crystal structure is basically that of perfect single-crystal silicon. Introducing too much oxygen in this region may generate more surface defects. Therefore, by setting the ratio of oxygen elements to aluminum elements in at least a part of the first region to be greater than the ratio of oxygen elements to aluminum elements in at least a part of the second region, the effects of the different surface morphologies in the first and second regions are balanced, further improving the overall efficiency of the solar cell.

[0007] In one realized form, the cross-section includes a first groove structure and a crack structure, with the first groove structure located in a first region. The thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the depth of the first groove structure and less than the depth of the crack structure.

[0008] When the above technical solution is adopted, a first passivation layer is formed on the cut surface. The first passivation layer passivates the cut surface, reducing the recombination rate of photoexcited carriers at the cut surface and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, the first groove structure is densely distributed and has a complex structure, and may contain non-single-crystal silicon components. As a result, the surface shape and composition of this region become complex, and the density of surface recombination centers increases. Therefore, if the thickness of the first passivation layer is set to be greater than the depth of the first groove structure, the first passivation layer can completely fill the first groove structure, passivating and repairing it to the maximum extent, thereby improving the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, since many of the crack structures are formed by spontaneous fracture due to stress and have smooth surfaces, setting the thickness of the first passivation layer to be smaller than the depth of the crack structure is sufficient for the limited passivation in that region. Also, the first passivation layer formed on the cut surface becomes higher and lower, improving the light confinement effect on the cut surface and increasing the photoexcited carrier concentration on the cut surface. This improves the light utilization rate of the solar cell cut surface and further improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. In one realized embodiment, the depth of the first groove structure is smaller than 1.2 μm, which reduces the degree of damage to the solar cell caused by the first groove structure and ensures that the cells do not crack or have too many defects introduced during subsequent manufacturing.

[0009] In one realized form, the depth of the crack structure is 1 μm or more, which ensures uniformity of the plating film and light confinement during the passivation process.

[0010] In one implementation, the thickness of the first passivation layer is 30 nm to 200 nm. When the above technical solution is adopted, the passivation effect of the solar cell gradually increases, and the conversion efficiency increases with increasing thickness of the first passivation layer.

[0011] In one realized form, the difference between the aluminum content in at least a portion of the second region and the aluminum content in at least a portion of the first region is greater than 3%.

[0012] When the above technical solution is adopted, it is possible to ensure that different passivation surfaces (i.e., different areas) achieve the required passivation effect.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first groove structure is close to the cutting edge, and the first groove structure includes an end that extends from the cutting edge toward the fracture edge, and the end boundary of the first groove structure is wavy or sawtooth.

[0014] By employing the above technical solution, it is possible to avoid excessive stress accumulation at the cross-section of the solar cell and improve the quality of the cross-section.

[0015] In one realized form, the cut surface includes an edge region and an intermediate region, the edge region is close to the cutting edge or fracture edge, the intermediate region is located in the middle part of the cut surface, and the roughness of the first passivation layer located in the intermediate region is smaller than the roughness of the first passivation layer located in the edge region.

[0016] By employing the above technical solutions, it is possible to minimize the escape of sunlight and ensure the passivation effect.

[0017] In one realized form, the spacing between wavy or sawtooth peaks is 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0018] When the above technical solution is adopted, the interval between peaks is 3 μm or more, which prevents the first groove structure from excessively concentrating and distributing itself. This prevents excessive stress accumulation on the cross-section of the solar cell and improves the quality of the cross-section.

[0019] In one realized form, there is an angle between the extension direction of the crack structure and the extension direction of the first groove structure, and the angle is between 45° and less than 90°.

[0020] In one implementation form, on the cutting surface, the extending length of the first groove structure is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0021] When adopting the above technical solution, damage to the silicon sheet caused by cracks can be reduced.

[0022] In one implementation form, the first surface includes a second groove structure, and the second groove structure is close to the cutting edge.

[0023] In one implementation form, in the direction away from the cutting edge, the extending length of the second groove structure is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0024] In one implementation form, the solar cell further includes a second passivation layer formed in the edge region of the first surface. The edge region of the first surface is close to the cutting surface, and the second passivation layer and the first passivation layer are continuously distributed.

[0025] When adopting the above technical solution, the second passivation layer can passivate the edge region close to the cutting surface on the first surface, reduce the carrier recombination rate on the first surface, and improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, when the second passivation layer covers the second groove structure, the second groove structure can be passivated and repaired, thereby improving the conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

[0026] In one implementation form, in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface, the width of the second passivation layer is larger than the extending length of the second groove structure.

[0027] In one implementation form, in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface, the width of the second passivation layer is 0.05 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0028] In one embodiment, the thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the thickness of the second passivation layer.

[0029] In one embodiment, in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface, the thickness of the second passivation layer gradually decreases.

[0030] In one embodiment, the thickness of the second passivation layer is 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first surface is a light-receiving surface or a non-light-receiving surface.

[0032] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a solar module including the solar cell described in the first aspect.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the solar module provided by the present invention are the same as those of the solar cell described in the above technical solution, and will not be described again here.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] The drawings described here are for further understanding of the present invention and form part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments and their descriptions of the present invention are for interpreting the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention inappropriately.

[0035] [Figure 1] It is a SEM diagram of a cross-sectional view in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic structural diagram of a solar cell in which a first passivation layer, a second passivation layer, and a third passivation layer are formed in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a SEM diagram after a first passivation layer is formed on a cross-sectional surface in an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects that this invention aims to solve clearer and easier to understand, the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are merely for interpretation purposes and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0037] When an element is described as being "fixed to" or "installed" on another element, it is necessary to explain that it may be directly attached to the other element or indirectly attached to it. When an element is described as being "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to it.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used solely for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or the quantity of the indicated technical feature. Accordingly, features designated as “first” or “second” may be explicitly or implicitly defined as including one or more such features. In the description of this invention, unless explicitly and specifically limited, “multiple” means two or more. Unless explicitly and specifically limited, “several” means one or more.

[0039] In the description of this invention, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right" are directions or positional relationships shown based on the drawings. The purpose of this is simply to facilitate the description of the invention and simplify the description. It is important to understand that this does not explicitly or implicitly suggest that the shown devices or elements necessarily have a specific direction, or are composed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the invention.

[0040] In describing this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined or limited, the terms "attach," "connect," and "join" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, a connection may be fixed, detachable, integral, mechanical, electrical, direct, indirectly via an intermediate medium, or it may refer to internal communication between two elements or an interaction between two elements. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention depending on the specific circumstances.

[0041] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a solar cell in a first embodiment. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the solar cell includes opposing first and second surfaces and a side surface connecting the first and second surfaces. The side surface includes a cut surface 1 and a first passivation layer 4 formed on the cut surface 1, and the cut surface 1 includes opposing cutting edges and fracture edges. In the battery cell cutting process, the battery cell is made breakable or fracture is induced by causing a certain degree of damage to the first surface of the battery cell by an external direct action. For example, first, the first surface is mechanically cut or irradiated with a laser to form a certain amount of damage to the first surface, and then the entire solar cell is fractured by a change in stress to form a complete cut surface 1. Here, the cutting edge is the first surface on the cut surface 1 that is subjected to an external direct action applied in close proximity to the battery cell, and the fracture edge is in close proximity to the second surface.

[0042] The first passivation layer includes an aluminum oxide passivation layer. The cut surface includes a first region adjacent to the cutting edge and a second region further from the cutting edge than the first region, wherein the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in at least a portion of the first region is greater than the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in at least a portion of the second region.

[0043] The first region, near the cutting edge, is greatly affected by direct external forces and therefore has complex components and surface morphology, such as silicon shapes other than single-crystal silicon. The silicon in this region contains irregularly arranged amorphous shapes, and in many cases, there are a large number of defects and dangling bonds. Furthermore, the complex surface morphology leads to serious defect formation. Therefore, the presence of more oxygen elements can sufficiently react the silicon in this region, eliminating the resulting negative effects. However, the second region, compared to the first region, is not directly affected by external forces, or the direct external forces are weaker, and its crystal structure is basically that of perfect single-crystal silicon. Introducing too much oxygen in this region may generate more surface defects. Therefore, by setting the ratio of oxygen elements to aluminum elements in at least a part of the first region to be greater than the ratio of oxygen elements to aluminum elements in at least a part of the second region, the effects of the different surface morphologies in the first and second regions are balanced, further improving the overall efficiency of the solar cell.

[0044] One possible implementation is that the first region is the area extending 30 μm from the cut edge to the fracture edge, and the second region is the area other than the first region. When the first region is the area extending 30 μm from the cut edge to the fracture edge, the area where external forces directly act is limited, the stress on the cut surface of the solar cell is balanced overall, the risk of the cell tearing during solar module packaging is reduced, and by employing this passivation means, the cut and fractured area can be effectively passivated and repaired, ensuring a repair effect.

[0045] The aluminum content in at least a portion of the area located in the first region is less than the aluminum content in at least a portion of the area located in the second region. For example, the difference between the aluminum content in at least a portion of the second region and at least a portion of the first region is greater than 3%. In this case, it can be ensured that different passivation surfaces (i.e., different regions) achieve the required passivation effect.

[0046] In one of the selectable forms, the aluminum content in at least a portion of the first region is 1% or more and 3% or less. For example, the aluminum content in at least a portion of the first region may be 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 2.8%, or 3%, etc. The aluminum content in at least a portion of the second region is 4% or more and 7% or less. For example, the aluminum content in at least a portion of the second region may be 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, or 7%, etc.

[0047] [Table 1]

[0048] As can be seen from Table 1, the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in the first region is greater than 3, but the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in the second region is less than 3. For example, when the thickness of the aluminum oxide passivation layer is less than 50 nm, the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in the first region is 5 or greater, for example, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. When the thickness of the aluminum oxide passivation layer is greater than 50 nm, the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in the first region is between 3 and 8, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

[0049] The above-mentioned solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate. For example, the semiconductor substrate may be a silicon substrate. In terms of conductivity type, the solar cell may be an intrinsically conductive substrate, an N-type conductive substrate, or a P-type conductive substrate. Preferably, the semiconductor substrate is an N-type conductive substrate or a P-type conductive substrate. Compared to an intrinsically conductive substrate, an N-type conductive substrate or a P-type conductive substrate has higher conductivity, which is advantageous in reducing the series connection resistance of the solar cell and improving the efficiency of the solar cell. In terms of structure, the first surface of the solar cell may be a suede surface, which improves the light confinement effect of the light-receiving surface in the solar cell and further improves the light utilization rate of the solar cell. Naturally, the first surface of the solar cell may also be a flat polished surface. The second surface of the solar cell may be a polished surface or a suede surface, and is not specifically limited here.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cut surface includes a first groove structure 2 and a crack structure 3, wherein the first groove structure 2 is located in a first region, and the thickness of the first passivation layer 4 is greater than the depth of the first groove structure 2 and less than the depth of the crack structure 3. For example, the crack structure extends roughly across the entire cut surface, from the cutting edge to the fracture edge.

[0051] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in the solar cell provided in the embodiment of the present invention, since the first passivation layer 4 is formed on the cut surface, the first passivation layer 4 passivates the cut surface 1, reduces the recombination rate of photoexcited carriers at the cut surface, and can improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, since the first groove structure is densely distributed and has a complex structure, and may contain non-single-crystal silicon components, the surface shape and composition of this region become complex, and the density of surface recombination centers increases. Therefore, if the thickness of the first passivation layer 4 is set to be greater than the depth of the first groove structure 2, the first passivation layer 4 can completely fill the first groove structure 2, passivate and repair it to the maximum extent, thereby improving the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, since many of the crack structures 3 are formed by spontaneous fracture due to stress, and their surfaces are smooth, setting the thickness of the first passivation layer 4 to be smaller than the depth of the crack structures 3 is sufficient for the limited passivation in that region. Also, the first passivation layer 4 formed on the cut surface 1 becomes uneven in height, improving the light confinement effect of the cut surface 1 and increasing the photoexcited carrier concentration of the cut surface 1. This improves the light utilization rate of the solar cell cut surface 1 and further improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. In addition, since the entire surface of the crack structure 3 is smooth and regular, it is advantageous for light absorption.

[0052] One possible implementation is that the statement that the thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the depth of the first groove structure and less than the depth of the crack structure can be understood as the average thickness of the first passivation layer being greater than the maximum depth of the first groove structure and less than the minimum depth of the crack structure. Alternatively, it can be understood as the average thickness of the first passivation layer being greater than the average depth of the first groove structure and less than the average depth of the crack structure.

[0053] One possible implementation is that the thickness of the first passivation layer is between 30 nm and 200 nm. For example, the thickness of the first passivation layer may be 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 105 nm, 110 nm, 115 nm, 120 nm, 125 nm, 130 nm, 135 nm, 140 nm, 145 nm, 150 nm, 155 nm, 160 nm, 165 nm, 170 nm, 175 nm, 180 nm, 185 nm, 190 nm, 195 nm, or 200 nm. When the above technical solution is adopted, the passivation effect of the solar cell gradually increases, and the conversion efficiency increases with increasing thickness of the first passivation layer. Furthermore, if the passivation layer is too thin, the passivation effect will be insufficient, and if the passivation layer is too thick, the edge effect of the resulting passivation effect will decrease, as well as the process time and material consumption will increase.

[0054] Next, we will explain the relevant parameters of a solar cell using a first passivation layer of different thicknesses as an example.

[0055] [Table 2]

[0056] Here, BSL represents the control group, and 30nm-BSL represents the difference between the 30nm thick first passivation layer and the control group. Eta represents the conversion efficiency, Isc represents the short-circuit current, Voc represents the open-circuit voltage, and FF represents the curve factor.

[0057] One possible implementation is shown in Figures 1 and 3, where the cut surface 1 includes an edge region 11 and an intermediate region 12. The edge region 11 is close to the cutting edge or fracture edge, and the intermediate region 12 is located in the middle of the cut surface 1. The roughness of the first passivation layer 4 located in the intermediate region 12 is smaller than the roughness of the first passivation layer 4 located in the edge region 11. In this case, it is possible to avoid sunlight escaping as much as possible and ensure the passivation effect.

[0058] One possible implementation is that, in the direction away from the cutting edge, the extension length of the first groove structure on the cut surface is between 1 μm and 20 μm. In this case, by controlling the overall distribution area of ​​the first groove structure, effective cutting of the battery cell can be guaranteed without introducing too many defects to the cut surface. For example, the extension length of the first groove structure may be 1 μm, 3 μm, 5 μm, 8 μm, 10 μm, 12 μm, 15 μm, 18 μm, or 20 μm.

[0059] One possible implementation is that the depth of the first groove structure is less than 1.2 μm. This reduces the degree of damage to the solar cell caused by the first groove structure, ensuring that the cells do not tear or have too many defects introduced during subsequent fabrication.

[0060] As one possible implementation, referring to Figure 1, the first groove structure 2 is distributed in the first region, close to the cutting edge, extends from the cutting edge to the fracture edge, includes an end extending from the cutting edge to the fracture edge, and the end boundary M of the first groove structure 2 is wavy or sawtooth-shaped.

[0061] At this time, it is possible to avoid excessive stress accumulation at the cut surface of the solar cell and improve the quality of the cut surface. Note that the first groove end boundary mentioned above refers to the boundary away from the cutting edge.

[0062] One possible implementation is a crack structure with a depth of 1 μm or more and a smooth surface, which ensures uniformity of the plating film and light confinement during the passivation process.

[0063] One possible implementation is that the depth of the crack structure located within the region where the first groove structure exists is between 1 μm and 2 μm. For example, the depth of the crack structure may be 1 μm, 1.2 μm, 1.5 μm, 1.7 μm, 1.9 μm, or 2 μm.

[0064] The depth of the crack structure, which is located away from the region where the first groove structure exists, is between 1 μm and 2 μm. For example, the depth of the crack structure may be 1 μm, 1.2 μm, 1.5 μm, 1.7 μm, 1.9 μm, or 2 μm.

[0065] As one possible implementation, referring to Figure 1, the first groove structure 2 may be distributed in a dendritic, branched, or curved manner. In this case, it is possible to avoid excessive accumulation of stress on the cross-section of the solar cell and improve the quality of the cross-section.

[0066] In one selectable configuration, referring to Figure 1, the horizontal spacing L between the wavy or sawtooth peaks is between 3 μm and 20 μm. For example, the horizontal spacing L may be 3 μm, 5 μm, 8 μm, 10 μm, 12 μm, 13 μm, 15 μm, 18 μm, 19 μm, or 20 μm. Because the spacing between peaks is 3 μm or more, it is possible to avoid excessive concentration and distribution of the first groove structure, thereby preventing excessive accumulation of stress on the cross-section of the solar cell and improving the quality of the cross-section.

[0067] In one selectable embodiment, referring to Figure 1, there is an angle A between the extending direction of the crack structure 3 and the extending direction of the first groove structure 2, and the presence of angle A can induce further uniformity of the distribution of crack depth and width. Angle A is preferably 45° or more and less than 90°. For example, angle A may be 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, or 89°.

[0068] One possible implementation is that the first surface includes a second groove structure, and the second groove structure is close to the cutting edge.

[0069] In one selectable form, the extension length of the second groove structure in the direction away from the cutting edge is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. For example, the length of the second groove structure may be 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm, 65 μm, 70 μm, 75 μm, 80 μm, 85 μm, 90 μm, 95 μm, or 100 μm, etc.

[0070] In one selectable embodiment, referring to Figure 2, the solar cell further includes a second passivation layer 5 formed on the edge region of the first surface, the edge region of the first surface being close to the cut surface, and the second passivation layer 5 and the first passivation layer 4 being continuously distributed.

[0071] When the above technical solution is adopted, the second passivation layer can passivate the edge region near the cut surface on the first surface, reducing the carrier recombination rate on the first surface and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, when the second passivation layer covers the second groove structure, it can passivate and repair the second groove structure, thereby improving the conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

[0072] One possible implementation is, as shown in Figure 2, where the width W of the second passivation layer 5 is greater than the extension length of the second groove structure in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface.

[0073] As one possible implementation, referring to Figure 2, the width W of the second passivation layer 5 is 0.05 mm or more and 2 mm or less. For example, the width W of the second passivation layer 5 may be 0.05 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.55 mm, 1 mm, 1.05 mm, 1.55 mm, or 2 mm. Preferably, the width W of the second passivation layer 5 is 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. For example, the width of the second passivation layer may be 1 mm, 1.05 mm, 1.35 mm, 1.55 mm, 1.85 mm, or 2 mm.

[0074] In one of the selectable configurations, the thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the thickness of the second passivation layer.

[0075] In one of the selectable configurations, the thickness of the second passivation layer gradually decreases in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface.

[0076] In one selectable configuration, the thickness of the second passivation layer in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface is between 30 nm and 200 nm. For example, the thickness of the second passivation layer may be 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 105 nm, 110 nm, 115 nm, 120 nm, 125 nm, 130 nm, 135 nm, 140 nm, 145 nm, 150 nm, 155 nm, 160 nm, 165 nm, 170 nm, 175 nm, 180 nm, 185 nm, 190 nm, 195 nm, or 200 nm.

[0077] One possible implementation is that the solar cell further includes a third passivation layer formed in the edge region of the second surface, where the edge region of the second surface is close to the cut surface, and the third passivation layer and the first passivation layer are continuously distributed.

[0078] When the above technical solution is adopted, the third passivation layer passivates the edge region near the cut surface on the second surface, reducing the carrier recombination rate on the second surface and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

[0079] One possible implementation may include, in addition to the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer, and the third passivation layer, at least one of other passivation layers laminated above or below the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer, or the third passivation layer, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride.

[0080] In one selectable configuration, the width of the third passivation layer in the direction from the edge of the second surface to the central region of the second surface is between 20 μm and 100 μm. For example, the width of the third passivation layer may be 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm, 65 μm, 70 μm, 75 μm, 80 μm, 85 μm, 90 μm, 95 μm, or 100 μm.

[0081] In one of the selectable configurations, the thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the thickness of the third passivation layer.

[0082] In one of the selectable configurations, the thickness of the third passivation layer gradually decreases in the direction from the edge of the second surface to the central region of the second surface.

[0083] In one selectable configuration, the thickness of the third passivation layer is 30 nm to 200 nm in the direction from the edge of the second surface to the central region of the second surface. For example, the thickness of the third passivation layer may be 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 105 nm, 110 nm, 115 nm, 120 nm, 125 nm, 130 nm, 135 nm, 140 nm, 145 nm, 150 nm, 155 nm, 160 nm, 165 nm, 170 nm, 175 nm, 180 nm, 185 nm, 190 nm, 195 nm, or 200 nm.

[0084] In one selectable form, the first surface is either a light-receiving surface or a non-light-receiving surface. The solar cell may be a double-sided solar cell or a back-contact solar cell. The solar cell may be a perc cell, a topcon cell, a TBC cell, or a heterojunction solar cell, and of course, the solar cell may be a solar cell including a tunnel passivation structure or other types of solar cells including a heterojunction structure.

[0085] In a second embodiment, the embodiments of the present invention further provide a solar module including the solar cell described in the first embodiment.

[0086] The beneficial effects of the solar module provided in the embodiments of the present invention are the same as the beneficial effects of the solar cell described in the above technical solution and will not be explained again here.

[0087] In the above description of embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0088] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or replacements that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive of within the technical scope described in the present invention are all included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be the same as the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1 Cut surface 11 Edge region 12 Intermediate area 2 First groove structure 3. Crack structure 4. First Passivation Layer 5. Second Passivation Layer

Claims

1. Including opposing first and second surfaces, and a side surface connecting the first and second surfaces, The aforementioned side surface includes a cutting edge adjacent to the first surface and a fracture edge adjacent to the second surface, The cut surface includes a first passivation layer formed on the cut surface, The first passivation layer includes an aluminum oxide passivation layer. The cut surface includes a first region adjacent to the cutting edge and a second region further from the cutting edge than the first region. A solar cell characterized in that the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in at least a portion of the first region is greater than the ratio of oxygen to aluminum in at least a portion of the second region.

2. The solar cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section includes a first groove structure and a crack structure, the first groove structure is located in the first region, and the thickness of the first passivation layer is greater than the depth of the first groove structure and less than the depth of the crack structure.

3. The solar cell according to claim 2, characterized in that the depth of the first groove structure is less than 1.2 μm, or the depth of the crack structure is 1 μm or more.

4. The solar cell according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the first passivation layer is 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

5. The solar cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the difference between the aluminum content in at least a portion of the second region and the aluminum content in at least a portion of the first region is greater than 3%.

6. The solar cell according to claim 2, characterized in that the first groove structure is close to the cutting edge, the first groove structure includes an end extending from the cutting edge toward the fracture edge, and the end boundary of the first groove structure is wavy or sawtooth-shaped.

7. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the cut surface includes an edge region and an intermediate region, the edge region is close to the cut edge or the fracture edge, the intermediate region is located in the intermediate portion of the cut surface, and the roughness of the first passivation layer located in the intermediate region is smaller than the roughness of the first passivation layer located in the edge region.

8. The solar cell according to claim 6, characterized in that the extension length of the first groove structure in the cross-section is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

9. The solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7, characterized in that the first surface includes a second groove structure, and the second groove structure is adjacent to the cutting edge.

10. The solar cell according to claim 9, characterized in that the extension length of the second groove structure in the direction away from the cutting edge is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

11. The solar cell according to claim 9, further comprising a second passivation layer formed on the edge region of the first surface, wherein the edge region of the first surface is close to the cut surface, and the second passivation layer and the first passivation layer are continuously distributed.

12. The solar cell according to claim 11, characterized in that the width of the second passivation layer is greater than the extending length of the second groove structure in the direction from the edge of the first surface to the central region of the first surface.

13. A solar module characterized by including a solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 12.