Ferro develops optimized paste system for p-MWT solar cells

September 14, 2011
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

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

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

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.
 

Read Next

February 9, 2026
The US federal government has withdrawn its appeal against a US Court of International Trade (CIT) ruling to retroactively collect two years of tariffs on imported solar panels.
February 9, 2026
Strike prices for solar PV in upcoming UK Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation have been forecast to be around £63-68MWh (US$86-93MWh), according to trade body, Solar Energy UK (SEUK).
February 9, 2026
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is planning to provide dedicated support to European solar inverter manufacturers amid a call for greater energy security and strategic autonomy.
February 9, 2026
Solar manufacturer United Solar has launched a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Oman, adding 100,000 metric tons of annual production capacity.
February 9, 2026
Global electricity demand is set to grow 2.5 times as fast as overall energy demand by 2030, ushering in what the International Energy Agency (IEA) has dubbed the “Age of Electricity”.
February 9, 2026
The European Commission has approved a €3 billion (US$3.55 billion) clean energy manufacturing aid scheme from Germany.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA