SOLAR CELL FABRICATION USING A PRE-DOPING DIELECTRIC LAYER
Solar cells, solar modules, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may comprise forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate may be subjected to a heating process to at least drive the dopant to a predefined depth, thereby forming at least one of an emitter layer and a surface field layer. In the example method, the dielectric layer may not be removed during a subsequent manufacturing process. Associated solar cells and solar modules are also provided.
1 . A method for manufacturing a solar cell comprising:
forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then;
introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate; and
subjecting the substrate to a heating process to at least drive the dopant to a predefined depth, thereby forming at least one of an emitter layer and a surface field layer;
wherein the dielectric layer is not removed during a subsequent manufacturing process.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to a first surface of the substrate such that subjecting the substrate to the heating process thereby forms an emitter layer proximate the first surface.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface such that subjecting the substrate to the heating process thereby forms a surface field layer proximate the second surface.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the dopant introduced to the first surface is of a first conductivity type, and the dopant introduced to the second surface is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate further comprises:
forming a dielectric layer on at least one surface of the substrate.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming an antireflection layer over at least one surface of the substrate.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forming a dielectric layer and introducing dopant further comprises:
introducing dopant to a first surface of the substrate, and then;
forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then;
introducing dopant to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
screen-printing one or more first contacts over a first surface of the substrate; and
screen-printing one or more second contacts over a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
co-firing the one or more first and second contacts.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate by ion implantation.
11 . A solar cell manufactured by the steps of:
forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then;
introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate; and
subjecting the substrate to a heating process to at least drive the dopant to a predefined depth, thereby forming at least one of an emitter layer and a surface field layer;
wherein the dielectric layer is not removed during a subsequent manufacturing process.
12 . The solar cell of claim 11 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to a first surface of the substrate such that subjecting the substrate to the heating process thereby forms an emitter layer proximate the first surface.
13 . The solar cell of claim 12 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface such that subjecting the substrate to the heating process thereby forms a surface field layer proximate the second surface.
14 . The solar cell of claim 13 , wherein the dopant introduced to the first surface is of a first conductivity type, and the dopant introduced to the second surface is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type.
15 . The solar cell of claim 11 , wherein forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate further comprises:
forming a dielectric layer on at least one surface of the substrate.
16 . The solar cell of claim 11 , further manufactured by the steps of:
forming an antireflection layer over at least one surface of the substrate.
17 . The solar cell of claim 11 , further manufactured by the steps of:
introducing dopant to a first surface of the substrate, and then;
forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then;
introducing dopant to a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface.
18 . The solar cell of claim 11 , further manufactured by the steps of:
screen-printing one or more first contacts over a first surface of the substrate;
screen-printing one or more second contacts over a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface; and
co-firing the one or more first and second contacts.
19 . The solar cell of claim 11 , wherein introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate further comprises:
introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate by ion implantation.
20 . A solar module comprising one or more solar cells manufactured by the steps of:
forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then;
introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate; and
subjecting the substrate to a heating process to at least drive the dopant to a predefined depth, thereby forming at least one of an emitter layer and a surface field layer;
wherein the dielectric layer is not removed during a subsequent manufacturing process.