A method for forming an electrical connection on a surface of a substrate

A method of forming an electrical connection on a surface of a substrate that forms a part of a solar cell, the method comprising:

• providing the substrate and a material for forming at least one metallic contact on the surface of the substrate;
• forming the at least one metallic contact on the surface of the substrate, comprising selecting at least one contact area on the surface of the substrate and forming a structure of a polycrystalline metallic material within the at least one contact area, the structure having first regions of a polycrystalline metallic material which are spaced apart by second regions in which the substrate is exposed, wherein the first regions are spaced apart by the second regions in two dimensions;
• providing at least one electrically conductive wire and a coupling material;
• and
• coupling the at least one electrically conductive wire to the formed at least one metallic contact using the coupling material in a manner such that at least some of the coupling material is also positioned over the substrate at the second regions within the at least one contact area.

A device comprising:

• a substrate that forms a part of a solar cell;
• at least one metallic contact within a contact area, the at least one metallic contact comprising a structure having first regions of a polycrystalline metallic material which are spaced apart by second regions in which the polycrystalline metallic material is not positioned, wherein the first regions are spaced apart by the second regions in two dimensions;
• and
• at least one electrically conductive wire coupled to the polycrystalline metallic material with a coupling material;
• wherein at least some of the coupling material is also positioned over the substrate at the second regions within the at least one metal contact area within the contact area.