Double screen printed metallization of crystalline silicon solar cells as low as 30 μm metal line width for mass production

One of the main objectives of the current single c-Si photovoltaic research is to enhance solar cell efficiency with the low cost approach. A simple way to improve the solar cell efficiency is to enhance the absorption of light as much as possible. In this study, we reduced the finger width pattern from 80 μm to 30 μm and then double printed to minimize shadow loss without any increase in series resistance. The single screen printing of 80 μm finger width resulted in efficiency of 17.66%, whereas 30 μm finger width resulted in efficiency of 15.83%, which is due to a decrease in FF. An 18.06% efficient solar cell with Jsc of 37.31 mA/cm2, Voc of 627.3 mV and FF of 77.2% is obtained using the double screen printing pattern of 30 μm wide fingers. The increase in finger thickness resulted in increase in FF and hence efficiency. This novel method can be applied for mass production due to the simple double screen printing process.

► We carried out fine finger line by screen printing for high efficiency mass production. ► In the single printing method, fill factor is decreased. ► We found that the series resistance is dependent on finger's line resistance by simulation. ► We solved the problem by the double screen printing method. ► We could apply the fine finger line printing method to mass production.