A solar cell and a solar module, and methods of manufacturing a solar cell and a solar module

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a solar cell comprising a substrate having a back surface and an interdigitated back contact structure arranged on the back surface of the substrate. The interdigitated back contact structure comprises a first charge-carrier collector comprising a plurality of A-elements arranged on the back surface of the substrate, the A-elements comprising semiconductor material having a first doping type, and a plurality of B-elements, each B-element arranged on a respective A-element, the B-elements comprising semiconductor material having a second doping type. The interdigitated back contact structure also comprises a second charge-carrier collector interdigitated with the first charge-carrier collector. The second charge-carrier collector comprises a plurality of C-elements arranged on the back surface of the substrate, the C-elements interdigitated with the A-elements and comprising semiconductor material having the second doping type. The interdigitated back contact structure further comprises a plurality of isolation elements, each isolation element interposed between a respective pair of adjacent A- and C-elements. Each isolation element comprises an insulating barrier element, and an A*-element comprising semiconductor material having the first doping type. The A*-element is arranged on the barrier element and has a thickness less than an adjacent A-element. Methods of manufacturing said solar cell are also provided.

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