Does silver-lean metallisation reduce the efficiency of industrial Topcon solar cells?

With the developed silver-lean metallisation scheme on the rear side, we achieved a ∼40 % reduction in silver consumption, towards 7 mg/W, without any significant loss in the efficiency of industrial TOPCon solar cells.

Can silver-lean screen-printing metallisation be used for Topcon solar cells?

This work presents a silver-lean screen-printing metallisation technology for TOPCon solar cells. Several silver-lean paste materials, such as Ag-coated Cu, pure Cu and Al, have been tested with our design. Up to 85 % reductions in rear-side silver consumption has been demonstrated without significant losses in efficiency.

Can silver paste be used in Topcon solar cells?

The use of a small amount of conventional silver paste as seed layers enables the integration of alternative silver-lean or silver-free fingers into TOPCon solar cells while maintaining effective contact formation.

Can silver-lean paste be used for solar cells?

Alternatively, using silver-lean paste materials (e.g., Ag-coated Cu) could provide immediate relief in silver consumption of SHJ solar cells and a more realistic pathway towards 5 mg/W target for SHJ solar cells.

Can PERC and Topcon solar cells achieve a silver consumption of 5 mg/W?

With slightly more efforts in reducing the printed width or height of silver fingers, both PERC and TOPCon solar cell technologies will be well-positioned to achieve a target silver consumption of 5 mg/W with the implementation of a hybrid SP/plated metallization design.

How can copper metallization be done on silicon solar cells?

To sinter the metals. This calculation shows that by replacing the Ag busbars with Cu busbars, the cost of ownership can be reduced by 13%, and if Cu paste is used for both the busbars and fingers, a total 19% reduction in cost can be achieved. Electroplating is the most common technique for copper metallization on silicon solar cells!