Solar cell having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by a metallization structure

1. A solar cell, comprising:

a plurality of physically separated sub-cells formed upon singulation of a silicon substrate of a photovoltaic solar cell, the plurality of physically separated sub-cells comprising a scribe portion between pairs of ones of the singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the scribe portion is disposed through the entire depth of the silicon substrate; and

a metallization structure located over and covering the scribe portion from end-to-end between the pairs of the ones of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, the metallization structure bonded to a back surface, opposite a light-receiving surface, of each of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the metallization structure electrically bridges at least two of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the metallization structure electrically interconnects a first doped region of a first of the at least two of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells and a second doped region of a second of the at least two of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells.

2. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure comprises a metal foil.

3. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure comprises an aluminum foil.

4. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure comprises a plated metal.

5. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure comprises a ribbon.

6. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells is a plurality of in-parallel diodes, in-series diodes, or a combination thereof.

7. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the silicon substrate comprises a bulk monocrystalline silicon substrate.

8. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure is a continuous metallization structure.

9. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein each of the scribe portions comprises a curved surface.

10. A solar cell, comprising:

a plurality of physically separated sub-cells formed upon singulation of a silicon substrate of a photovoltaic solar cell, the plurality of physically separated sub-cells comprising a scribe portion between pairs of ones of the singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the scribe portion is disposed through the entire depth of the silicon substrate; and

a metallization structure located over and covering the scribe portion from end-to-end between the pairs of the ones of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, the metallization structure bonded to a back surface, opposite a light-receiving surface, of each of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, the scribe portion disposed partially into the metallization structure, wherein the metallization structure electrically bridges at least two of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells.

11. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the metallization structure comprises a metal foil.

12. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the metallization structure comprises an aluminum foil.

13. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the metallization structure comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plated metal and a ribbon.

14. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells is a plurality of in-parallel diodes, in-series diodes, or a combination thereof.

15. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the silicon substrate comprises a bulk monocrystalline silicon substrate.

16. A solar cell, comprising:

a plurality of physically separated sub-cells formed upon singulation of a silicon substrate of a photovoltaic solar cell, the plurality of physically separated sub-cells comprising a scribe portion between pairs of ones of the singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the scribe portion is disposed through the entire depth of the silicon substrate;

a metallization structure located over and covering the scribe portion from end-to-end between the pairs of the ones of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, the metallization structure bonded to a back surface, opposite a light-receiving surface, of each of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the metallization structure electrically bridges at least two of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells; and

a damage buffer portion disposed on the metallization structure and between pairs of ones of the singulated and physically separated sub-cells, wherein the scribe portion disposed on the damage buffer portion.

17. The solar cell of claim 16 , wherein the scribe portion is disposed partially into the damage buffer portion.

18. The solar cell of claim 16 , wherein the damage buffer portion comprises a polymer material.

19. The solar cell of claim 16 , wherein the damage buffer portion comprises a metal distinct from the metallization structure.

20. The solar cell of claim 16 , wherein the damage buffer portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a printed material and a tape.

21. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure has a strain relief feature therein, the strain relief feature over a portion of the scribe portion between the pairs of the ones of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells.

22. The solar cell of claim 21 , wherein the strain relief feature comprises and opening.

23. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metallization structure covers an entirety of the scribe portion between the pairs of the ones of the plurality of singulated and physically separated sub-cells.