Back-Contact Solar Cell Multi-Section Gate Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing busbar-free back-contact solar cell technologies face challenges in efficiently connecting IBC cells in series due to series resistance issues and high manufacturing costs, particularly for larger silicon wafers, and are prone to current leakage and misconnection problems.

Innovation Solution

A busbar-free and high-efficiency back-contact solar cell module with a multi-section structure of small conductive gate lines interdigitally arranged in parallel, connecting P-electrodes and N-electrodes on the backlight side, and using a decentralized connection system to reduce series resistance and stress on the cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional conductive backing composite plate with copper foil is used for MWT assembly, then electrical connection is achieved, but laser etching is slow for complex patterns and chemical corrosion causes environmental pollution and high cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpreparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the conductive adhesive application process from the complex backing plate preparation process. Instead of etching copper foil and punching packaging material, the conductive adhesive is directly applied to the back contact electrodes through a simple dispensing process, eliminating the need for complex pattern etching and masking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces conductive adhesive as an intermediary material between the back contact electrodes and the external circuit. This adhesive mediator simplifies the connection process by directly bonding to the electrodes without requiring complex conductive backing plates, laser etching, or chemical corrosion processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tin-plated copper band is used for series connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but thick bands may crack the cell due to excessive hardness while thin bands shield much sunlight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidoptical loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the series connection function from the front-side gate lines and relocates it to the back contact electrodes. By moving all electrical connections to the back side, the front surface is completely freed from conductive elements, eliminating the trade-off between connection reliability and optical loss entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional architecture by placing all electrodes and connections on the back side of the cell rather than the front side. This inversion allows the front surface to be fully optimized for light absorption while the back side handles all electrical functions, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If front-side gate lines are used for carrier collection, then collection efficiency is improved, but light shielding by gate lines reduces effective light-receiving area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier collection efficiencyVSAvoideffective light-receiving area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the electrode placement from front side to back side. By moving the gate lines and all conductive elements to the back surface, the front surface achieves 100% light reception area while the back side performs carrier collection, completely eliminating the light shielding problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the electrical connection function from the two-dimensional front surface to the back surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the cell structure. This spatial reorganization allows simultaneous optimization of light absorption on the front and electrical collection on the back.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly reduces series resistance, enhances efficiency, and lowers manufacturing costs while improving the tolerance to hidden-cracks and micro-cracks, enabling high-performance and cost-effective industrial production of back-contact solar cells.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical connection layer comprises a number of small conductive gate lines, part of which are connected to the P-electrodes on the backlight side of the solar cells while the other part of which are connected to the N-electrodes on the backlight side of the solar cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Solar power generation is a process of power generation in which large-area P-N junction diodes are used to produce photon-generated carriers under the radiation of sunlight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3244454B1Main-gate-free high-efficiency back contact solar cell and assembly and preparation process thereof
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 JOLYWOOD SUZHOU SUNWATT
  • EP3244454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3244454B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP3244454B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application relates to the field of solar cells, and in particular to a main-gate-free and high-efficiency back-contact solar cell module, assembly, and a preparation process thereof. The main-gate-free and high-efficiency back-contact solar cell module comprises solar cells and an electrical connection layer, a backlight side of the solar cells having P-electrodes connected to a P-type doping layer and N-electrodes connected to an N-type doping layer, wherein the electrical connection layer comprises a number of small conductive gate lines, part of which are connected to the P-electrodes on the backlight side of the solar cells while the other part of which are connected to the N-electrodes on the backlight side of the solar cells; and, the small conductive gate lines are of a multi-section structure. The present application has the following beneficial effects: the usage of silver paste is decreased, and the cost is reduced; moreover. The arrangement of small conductive gate lines in a multi-section structure reduces the series resistance and the transmission distance of a filling factor, so that the efficiency is improved and the stress on the cells from the small conductive gate lines can be effectively reduced.