Solar cell with a backside via to contact the emitter layer

摘要

A solar cell structure is provided for reducing shadow losses without increasing series resistance in the solar cell device. The solar cell device may form an electrical contact to a solar cell emitter layer from the backside of the solar cell device. With this structure, the emitter contact shadow losses may be reduced significantly while simultaneously decreasing device series resistance.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic device, comprising:
at least one junction region, wherein the junction region comprises an emitter region and a base region, wherein the emitter region of the junction region comprises an emitter contact layer, a window layer, and an emitter layer; a via hole formed in the junction region and extending axially from a bottom backside non-illuminated surface of the device into the junction region and terminating within the junction region without extending completely through the junction region to reach a top illuminated surface of the junction region, and wherein the via hole terminates at or within the emitter contact layer; an insulating layer directly contacting at least a part of an inner surface of the via hole; and a conductive layer directly contacting the insulating layer and directly contacting the junction region.