Low-cost foil metallization using arc discharge for passivated emitter and rear solar cells

Abstract

For the cost reduction of passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC), we propose a new rear contact formation method, in which an aluminum foil and an arc discharge system are used. The arc discharge system consists of inexpensive parts and does not contain any sophisticated part such as a laser ablation apparatus. Therefore, this system can save the cost of the rear contact forming process. We applied this technique to a test production of PERC. It is found that the arc discharge system can provide a similar performance to that attained by a conventional PERC production method.