Past, Present, and Future Outlook for Edge Isolation Processes in Highly Efficient Silicon Solar Cell Manufacturing. Issue 8 (26th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dannenberg, Tobias; Vollmer, Jan; Passig, Michael; Scheiwe, Caroline; Brunner, Damian; Pediaditakis, Alexis; Jäger, Ulrich; Wang, Iron; Xie, Weiwei; Xu, Sufan; Wu, Jim; Krieg, Katrin; Teßmann, Christopher; Zimmer, Martin; Kühnlein, Holger
• Is Part Of: Solar RRL. Volume 7:Issue 8(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-26
• Subjects: edge isolation -- mass production -- passivated emitter and rear contact -- silicon -- solar cells -- total cost of ownership -- wet chemistry; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic power generation -- Periodicals; Solar energy -- Research -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic power generation -- Research -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 333.7923
• DOI: 10.1002/solr.202200594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2367-198X

Abstract

Abstract : This work highlights present research and mass production results of wet‐chemical solutions for industrial edge isolation of silicon solar cells, aiming for a reduction of nitric acid consumption and production costs as well as a simultaneous increase in efficiency. All processes are applied to either industrially passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) or tunnel oxide‐passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells. Herein, a review of different edge isolation techniques in the history of silicon solar cell processing is presented. Subsequently, novel wet‐chemical approaches are focused on, namely 1) HNO3 ‐reduced edge isolation (InOxSide Fusion), 2) HNO3 ‐free edge isolation (InOxSide Blue), and 3) batch cluster solution—a combination of an acidic inline and an alkaline batch tool for emitter edge isolation of PERC and TOPCon solar cells. For each of the approaches, cell results and total cost of ownership estimations are presented. Based on all findings, a comprehensive discussion between inline versus batch‐cluster processing is presented. All investigations are performed on industrial equipment, wafer sizes, and a solar cell efficiency level of above 23%. Abstract : Herein, a review of edge isolation techniques is presented. Subsequently, novel wet‐chemical approaches are introduced, which lower nitric acid consumption as well as production costs and increase efficiency. All investigations are performed on passivated emitter and rear or tunnel oxide‐passivated contact solar cells. Cell results with efficiencies above 23% and total cost of ownership estimations are presented.