Aluminum-Based Mechanical and Electrical Laser Interconnection Process for Module Integration of Silicon Solar Cells

authored by

Henning Schulte-Huxel, Robert Bock, Susanne Blankemeyer, Agnes Merkle, Rolf Brendel

Abstract

In this paper, an interconnection method for the module integration of silicon solar cells by laser microwelding of the Al-metalized rear side of the solar cell to a metalized substrate is introduced. This laser microwelding process forms a direct mechanical and electrical connection between two Al-layers without the need for any soldering, conductive adhesives, or Ag-pastes. With a tensile tester, we measure tear-off stresses of up to 303kPa for our laser weld spots. Furthermore, carrier lifetime measurements show that no defects are induced into the Si-crystal by the laser process over a wide range of laser pulse energies and number of laser pulses. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this laser-based interconnection method, we present a proof-of-concept module consisting of five n-type back-junction back-contact solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 20.0%.

Organisation(s)

Solar Energy Section

External Organisation(s)

Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH)

Type

Article

Journal

IEEE journal of photovoltaics

Volume

2

Pages

16-21

No. of pages

6

ISSN

2156-3381

Publication date

29.12.2011

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2011.2177072 (Access: Closed)