Wire-based metallization and stringing for solar cells
AssigneeMaxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.
InventorsRichard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Douglas Rose, Lewis Abra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.
Claims20
A photovoltaic apparatus, comprising:
- a solar cell;
- wire metallization on the solar cell;
- and
- a busbar at an end of the wire metallization, the busbar distinct from the wire metallization, wherein the busbar is folded over a footprint of the solar cell.
A photovoltaic apparatus, comprising:
- a first solar cell;
- a second solar cell laterally spaced apart from the first solar cell;
- wire metallization on the first solar cell and on the second solar cell, wherein the wire metallization strings the first solar cell and the second solar cell together;
- a first busbar at a first end of the wire metallization, the first busbar distinct from the wire metallization, wherein the first busbar is folded over a footprint of the first solar cell;
- and
- a second busbar at a second end of the wire metallization, the second busbar distinct from the wire metallization, wherein the second busbar is folded over a footprint of the second solar cell.
A method of fabricating a photovoltaic apparatus, the method comprising:
- forming wire metallization on a solar cell;
- and
- coupling a busbar to an end of the wire metallization, the busbar distinct from the wire metallization;
- and
- folding the busbar over a footprint of the solar cell.
A method of fabricating a photovoltaic apparatus, the method comprising:
- forming wire metallization on a first solar cell and on a second solar cell, the second solar cell laterally spaced apart from the first solar cell, wherein the wire metallization strings the first solar cell and the second solar cell together;
- coupling a first busbar to a first end of the wire metallization and coupling a second busbar to a second end of the wire metallization, the first busbar distinct from the wire metallization, and the second busbar distinct from the wire metallization;
- and
- folding the first busbar over a footprint of the first solar cell, and folding the second busbar over a footprint of the second solar cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.