Passivated Solar Cell Electrodes With 3D Wrapped Contact Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar cells have low photoelectric conversion efficiency due to limited contact area between electrodes and passivation contact structures, leading to parasitic absorption of incident light and reduced carrier collection capability.

Innovation Solution

A solar cell design with first and second passivation contact structures on a substrate, where first electrodes cover the top surface and sidewalls of the second passivation contact structures, enhancing electrical contact and reducing parasitic absorption by aligning passivation structures with electrodes, and using thick passivation layers to prevent direct contact with the substrate during electrode formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the passivation contact structure is prepared on the substrate surface to inhibit carrier recombination, then the conductivity for majority carriers is improved, but parasitic absorption occurs which reduces photoelectric conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier collection abilityVSAvoidparasitic absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is extended from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional structure that wraps around the passivation contact structure, covering the top surface and sidewalls. This dimensional change increases the contact area between the electrode and passivation contact structure, enhancing carrier collection while maintaining low parasitic absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode is designed to nest around the passivation contact structure, with the electrode material forming a configuration that encompasses the passivation contact structure. This nested arrangement maximizes the interfacial contact area between the electrode and passivation contact structure, improving electrical contact and carrier collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of energy

If the electrode contacts the passivation contact structure to collect carriers, then the carrier collection ability is improved, but the contact area is limited which restricts further improvement in photoelectric conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidcontact area between electrode and passivation contact structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode transitions from a two-dimensional planar contact to a three-dimensional wrapped structure that contacts the passivation contact structure at multiple locations including the top surface and sidewalls. This dimensional expansion significantly increases the effective contact area, enabling improved carrier collection and higher photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode contact area is segmented into multiple distinct regions: contact with the top surface of the passivation contact structure, contact with the sidewalls, and potentially contact at the base. This segmentation of the contact interface allows for optimized electrical connection across different zones, enhancing overall carrier collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Improves photoelectric conversion efficiency by increasing the contact area between electrodes and passivation structures, reducing parasitic absorption, and avoiding direct contact with the substrate, thereby enhancing carrier collection and light utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a passivation contact structure is prepared on one of the surfaces of the substrate for inhibiting carrier recombination on the surface of the substrate in the solar cell and providing good conductivity for majority carriers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassivation:

Implementation Method 2

The electrodes are in electrical contact with the passivated contact structure to collect the carriers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

Solar cells have good photovoltaic conversion capabilities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250212551A1Solar cell, method for preparing solar cell, and photovoltaic module

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 ZHEJIANG JINKO SOLAR CO LTD

AI summary

A solar cell is provided, including: a substrate having a first surface including first regions and second regions, a first passivation contact structure formed on the first and second regions, second passivation contact structures formed on the first passivation contact structure, first passivation films formed on the first passivation contact structure, and first electrodes extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each second passivation contact structure has an orthographic projection on the first surface in a respective first region, and each first passivation film has an orthographic projection on the first surface in a respective second region. Each first electrode covers a top surface of a respective second passivation contact structure and at least part of two opposing sidewalls of the respective second passivation contact structure in the first direction, and is in electrical contact with the respective second passivation contact structure.