Effects of silicate glasses in aluminum pastes on physical and electrical characteristics of screen-printed multi-crystalline silicon solar cells

• Aluminum pastes with various silicate glasses have been synthesized.
• The improved back-surface-field was demonstrated by binary silicate glasses.
• The decreased tortoise-shell veins in aluminum pastes were presented.
• A conversion efficiency improvement was presented more than 1.34% absolute.

Aluminum pastes (APs) with various silicate glasses (SGs) have been synthesized to enhance physical and electrical characteristics of screen-printed multi-crystalline silicon solar cells (SPMSSCs). The improved back surface field (BSF) and decreased tortoise-shell veins were demonstrated by suitably Si–Bi–B-doped Si–Bi–Ti-based oxide SGs in APs. The promoted mechanism could be attributed to the circulating track supplied from binary SGs softened in APs during co-firing. The achievement of a conversion efficiency improvement of more than 1.34% absolute from 16.01% to 17.35% in SPMSSCs with a binary Si–Bi–Ti of 1 wt% and Si–Bi–B of 3 wt% SGs in AP was explored.

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