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

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

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

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

August 15, 2025
Australia’s transmission line infrastructure project HumeLink is now open for connection to solar, wind, and energy storage facilities.
August 15, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy has signed a deal to buy US-made polysilicon and wafers from ceramics and glass producer Corning.
August 15, 2025
US tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has launched a new single-axis tracker model built for extreme wind regions. 
Premium
August 15, 2025
PV Talk: AIKO's chief scientist, Yongqian Wang, tells PV Tech Premium that copper is now a “highly suitable” alternative to silver.
August 15, 2025
Indian domestic solar module manufacturing capacity has exceeded 100GW, up from just 2.3GW in 2014, according to minister Pralhad Joshi.
August 15, 2025
Gentari Renewables has broken ground on its 243MWp Maryvale solar-plus-storage site in New South Wales, Australia.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines