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

December 12, 2025
A roundup of three solar PV project financing stories from Australia, Texas and California, with updates from Potentia Energy, Origis Energy and Baywa r.e.  
December 12, 2025
A round-up of news coming from Europe, with IPP Encavis acquiring a 265MW solar PV portfolio in Italy, Iberdrola starting construction on 366MW of solar PV in its home country and IPP Sonnedix signing a renewables supply agreement with a subsidiary of Volkswagen in Spain.
December 12, 2025
India’s flagship solar PV manufacturing incentive has driven “robust growth” in the sector since its launch, but hurdles remain to building a complete domestic supply chain.
December 12, 2025
Solar PV companies in the US are not waiting for guidance from the US Departments of the Treasury or Energy to act regarding Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC), according to a survey conducted by Crux.
December 12, 2025
US solar PV module prices have stabilised at just over US$0.28/W in the three months to November 2025, according to Anza.
December 11, 2025
The Chinese polysilicon industry has emerged with a new "inventory platform" with a RMB30 billion capital aimed at increasing prices.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
December 17, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA