Metallization of crystalline silicon solar cells: A review

Metallization plays both optical and electrical roles in the performance of a solar cell. Optically, the gridline width contributes to shading, which impacts the short circuit current. And electrically in the series resistance through contact and grid line resistances, which influences the fill factor. In the manufacturing of solar cell, metallization is the second most expensive step in the fabrication of a solar cell. In this paper contact formation to crystalline silicon solar cell is reviewed It starts with the photolithography contacts, which is precise and common to other semiconductor devices but expensive and non-manufacturable, to screen-printed and the alternatives that are less expensive. The importance of less expensive contacting technologies through use of less metal is stressed with the view to decreasing the cost of photovoltaic electricity.