HIP-MWT: A simplified structure for metal wrap through solar cells with passivated rear surface

We suggest a simplified structure for metal wrap through passivated emitter and rear cells (MWT-PERC). This so called HIP-MWT approach (high-performance MWT) overcomes the need for a structured rear side emitter. With the simplified structure, a single additional process step allows the integration of the MWT approach into a typical process sequence for PERC-type cells. A comparison of a reference MWT-PERC structure and the simplified HIP-MWT structure on cell level reveals similar efficiency levels for both approaches. The processed multicrystalline HIP-MWT silicon solar cells with a final substrate thickness of only 100 mu m and a cell area of 156 x 156 mm(2) show conversion efficiencies of up to 17.4% (independently confirmed). (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of SiliconPV 2011.