Photovoltaic Cell Solder Layer Assembly for Reliable Interconnects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photovoltaic modules face issues with false soldering or unsoldering between connecting members and solder pads, leading to reliability concerns and increased costs due to the use of solder paste, which is difficult to control and can cause conductive foreign matters.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a solder layer with a first alloy layer of tin and a metal element on solder pads before assembly, reducing the spacing between connecting members and pads, and using a controlled heating process to improve connection stability and reliability, thereby reducing the need for high temperatures and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solder paste is used to connect connecting members and solder pads, then electrical connection is achieved, but false soldering or unsoldering occurs easily and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsoldering quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a solder layer on the solder pad before assembling the connecting member. This pre-formed solder layer ensures proper wetting and bonding conditions are already in place, preventing false soldering or unsoldering issues that occur when using solder paste during assembly. The solder layer is created in advance with controlled thickness and material composition to guarantee reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by replacing traditional solder paste with a specifically designed solder layer made from tin-based alloy materials. The solder layer has controlled thickness (5-50 μm) and specific material composition (Sn-Pb, Sn-Ag, or Sn-Cu alloys), which improves wetting properties and bonding strength compared to conventional solder paste, thereby enhancing connection reliability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high temperature heating is used for soldering, then connecting members are securely attached, but cell performance deteriorates due to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidthermal damage to cell
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a solder layer with specific alloy composition (Sn-Pb, Sn-Ag, or Sn-Cu) and controlled thickness (5-50 μm). This material optimization allows the soldering process to achieve adequate bonding strength at lower temperatures (150-250°C) compared to traditional high-temperature soldering, thereby reducing thermal damage to the photovoltaic cell while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If solder paste is used for connection, then assembly is simplified, but conductive foreign matters are generated and process control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconductive foreign matters
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a clean, controlled solder layer on the solder pad before assembly. This pre-formed layer eliminates the need to use solder paste during assembly, thereby preventing the generation of conductive foreign matters that occur with solder paste application. The solder layer is created with precise thickness control (5-50 μm) and proper material composition, ensuring clean connections without contamination while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated lamination processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enhances the stability and reliability of electrical connections, reduces false soldering, and minimizes process risks by pre-forming solder layers with controlled thickness and area, ensuring safer and more efficient photovoltaic module production.

Implementation Method 1

a first alloy layer adjacent to the respective solder pad and a second alloy layer on a surface of the first alloy layer away from the respective solder pad, and the first alloy layer including a first alloy formed of tin and a metal element constituting the respective solder pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

coating each solder pad with molten solder for forming the corresponding solder layer after cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

coating each solder pad with molten solder for forming the corresponding solder layer after cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 4

performing a soldering treatment on the respective connecting member and the respective pair of adjacent cells to connect the respective pair of adjacent cells, wherein the soldering treatment has a heating temperature in a range of 200°C to 300°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4462487B1Method for manufacturing photovoltaic module and photovoltaic module
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 JINKO SOLAR CO LTD
  • EP4462487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462487B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4462487B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic module. The method includes the following: providing a plurality of cells; selecting at least one cell from the plurality of cells, and for each respective cell of the at least one cell, forming a corresponding solder layer on each respective solder pad of at least one solder pad of the respective cell; and performing a soldering treatment on the respective connecting member and the at least one solder pad and/or the at least one solder layer to connect the respective pair of adjacent cells, wherein the soldering treatment has a heating temperature in a range of 200°C to 300°C.