SNEC 2011: DuPont’s ‘Solamet PV36x’ metallization pastes offer 0.8% boost to BSF-based cells

February 22, 2011
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM) has introduced a new series of aluminum photovoltaic metallization pastes for rear-side passivated crystalline silicon solar cell designs. DuPont ‘Solamet PV36x’ photovoltaic metallization pastes outperform conventional aluminum compositions by delivering up to 0.8% greater conversion efficiency for solar cells when used in Local Back Surface Field (BSF) designs. 

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

Revolutionary cell designs such as Local BSF need highly specialized metallization pastes designed to deliver efficiency gains and perform well in processing. Current commercial aluminum pastes designed for conventional cells have poor adhesion to passivation layers used with Local BSF designs, typically SiOx and/or SiNx, unless they contain some glass frit, and if the aluminum paste contains glass frit, voids can form at the edge of the aluminum-silicon contact area. 

Solution

DuPont Solamet PV36x photovoltaic metallization pastes overcome this challenge, while enabling up to 0.8% greater efficiency with these types of designs. They are developed to maximize adhesion and minimize voids, with controlled local alloying combined with high lateral conductivity. 

Applications

Aluminum photovoltaic metallization pastes for rear-side passivated crystalline silicon solar cell designs.

Platform

Two new products are being introduced as part of the series. DuPont Solamet PV361 is designed for laser-fired local contact formation. DuPont Solamet PV362 is optimized for Local BSF contact formation under conventional firing conditions. Both products are compatible with the latest Solamet tabbing silver pastes and new DuPont Solamet PV701 photovoltaic metallization for Metal Wrap Through designs.

Availability

Currently available.
 

Read Next

March 6, 2026
French energy major TotalEnergies has initiated pilot operations of the first generating unit at its 1GW solar farm in Iraq’s Basra region.
March 6, 2026
US solar manufacturer Silfab Solar has disputed some reports of chemical spillages at its manufacturing facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
March 6, 2026
Origis Energy has secured US$545 million in financing for three utility-scale solar projects with a combined capacity of 413MW in Texas.
March 6, 2026
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) Zelestra has begun the construction of 253MWdc Echols Grove and 188MWdc Cedar Range projects in Texas.
March 6, 2026
Silfab solar has paused operations at its module manufacturing plant in South Carolina following chemical spills.
March 6, 2026
Portland General Electric (PGE) has finalised agreements for more than 1,000MW of new renewable energy and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the US state of Oregon.

Upcoming Events

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
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain