Ferro develops optimized paste system for p-MWT solar cells

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  Ferro’s MWT plug hole paste is designed to increases cell efficiency

Ferro Electronic Materials is introducing a new optimized paste system to enhance performance of p-type Metal Wrap Through (MWT) cells at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), in Hamburg, Germany. The materials include a next-generation rear silver plug hole paste, high efficiency front silver contact pastes, and a back contact aluminum paste.

Problem

MWT cell technology holds promise of boosting electrical efficiency of Polycrystalline Silicon-based solar cells to more than 18%. New materials are required to achieve this goal that have optimized to work with the new cell designs to achieve this goal.   

Solution

Several areas offer the potential to increase the efficiency of MWT cells, and Ferro’s new materials have been developed to address all of them. The pastes improve:  Contact resistance to high performance shallow emitter passivated with SiNx or SiNx/Oxide antireflective coatings; conductivity in holes; Shunt Resistance in the holes; adhesion and strong Back Surface Field formation of aluminum; and structural reliability of various interfaces. Ferro’s MWT plug hole paste is designed to increases cell efficiency in several ways. It is claimed that the paste provides excellent conductivity and contact with the front silver paste, and forms a solid plug upon firing. Novel glass chemistry has been developed that is claimed to provide excellent shunt resistance. The plug hole paste is also suitable for use as the p-contact paste, with strong adhesion to the silicon wafer and robust soldering behavior. The paste is said to offer proven module performance. Significant efficiency gains are also provided by the system’s front silver contact pastes and the MWT back contact aluminum paste.

Applications

Silver plug hole paste that also can be used as the p-contact paste; back contact aluminum paste; high efficiency front silver contact pastes for p-type MWT cells.

Platform

The materials include a next-generation rear silver plug hole paste, high efficiency front silver contact pastes, and a back contact aluminum paste.

Availability

Ferro introduced a new optimized system of pastes for p-type Metal Wrap Through cell designs at EU PVSEC.