Metallization Contact Formation Firing Parameters on Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells

Metallization contact formation is a crucial step in determining solar cell efficiency, with methods including photolithography, buried contact technology, and screen printing. While photolithography offers high efficiency, it's resource-intensive, limiting its use to labs. Buried contact methods involve grooving silicon wafers and electroless plating, while screen printing is cost-effective but relies on optimal parameters for efficiency.

Screen Printing

In the screen printing process, thick-film metal paste, consisting of metal powder, glass frit, solvent, and nonvolatile polymers, undergoes application onto a substrate through a screen. Several factors intricately impact this process, including the snap-off distance, squeegee pressure, and speed. The snap-off distance determines the proper deposition of paste, while pressure and speed influence the uniformity of the deposited layer, crucial for consistent contact formation.

Firing

Firing, or sintering, constitutes a pivotal step in metallization contact formation within silicon solar cells. This multistep process involves drying, burnout, sintering, and cooldown phases. Each phase significantly affects the quality of contact formed, thus influencing cell efficiency. Optimal firing parameters, such as peak temperature and soak time, play critical roles in determining contact resistance and overall cell performance.

Belt Furnace Parameters

Recent studies have underscored the importance of furnace conditions in solar cell efficiency. Furnace cleanliness, oxide layer thickness, and substrate carrier boats emerge as key variables influencing contact formation. The design of furnaces, exemplified by the HSH series, caters specifically to the intricate requirements of photovoltaic firing processes. With features like infrared heating, precise temperature controls, and muffle design for atmosphere regulation, these furnaces optimize conditions for efficient contact formation.

HSH Series Infrared Photovoltaic Belt Furnace

• Infrared Lamp Heating Element with Fast Cooling and Stable Driving Design
• Capable of operating at speeds up to 6000 mm per minute for firing contact pastes with excellent temperature uniformity
• Backed by 30 years of experience in solar cell belt furnace technology
• Specially designed heating layout, atmosphere system, and chamber structure work ultra-effectively for solar cell firing.

Conclusion

The optimization of firing parameters and furnace conditions is paramount for enhancing the efficiency of silicon solar cells. A nuanced understanding of the interplay between these parameters and contact formation processes is essential for achieving consistent and high-performance solar cell technologies. By delving deeper into these intricacies, researchers and manufacturers can unlock new avenues for advancing solar energy utilization and sustainability.

Visit here for more information about our belt furnace offerings!