A laser processing system can be utilized to produce high-performance interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. The laser processing system can be utilized to ablate, transfer material, and/or laser-dope or laser fire contacts. Laser ablation can be utilized to remove and pattern openings in a passivated or emitter layer. Laser transferring may then be utilized to transfer dopant and/or contact materials to the patterned openings, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern. The laser processing system may also be utilized to plate a conductive material on top of the transferred dopant or contact materials.

A back contact back junction thin-film solar cell is formed on a thin-film semiconductor solar cell. Preferably the thin film semiconductor material comprises crystalline silicon. Base regions, emitter regions, and front surface field regions are formed through ion implantation and annealing processes.

A laser processing system can be utilized to produce high-performance interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. The laser processing system can be utilized to ablate, transfer material, and/or laser-dope or laser fire contacts. Laser ablation can be utilized to remove and pattern openings in a passivated or emitter layer. Laser transferring may then be utilized to transfer dopant and/or contact materials to the patterned openings, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern. The laser processing system may also be utilized to plate a conductive material on top of the transferred dopant or contact materials.

A method including providing a substrate comprising a device layer on which a plurality of device cells are defined; depositing a first dielectric layer on the device layer and metal interconnect such that the deposited interconnect is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; depositing a second dielectric layer over the interconnect; and exposing at least one contact point on the interconnect through the second dielectric layer. An apparatus including a substrate having defined thereon a device layer including a plurality of device cells; a first dielectric layer disposed directly on the device layer; a plurality of metal interconnects, each of which is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer and over the interconnects, wherein the second dielectric layer is patterned in a positive or negative planar spring pattern.

A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.

An apparatus of manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells by reducing contact resistance and forming point contacts is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carrying device configured to support a solar cell, a conducting module electrically connected to the solar cell optionally, a pulsed power supply used to provide a high frequency pulsed voltage that is a reverse bias voltage and has a frequency of about 1 kHz to 10 MHz and a duty cycle of about 5% to 95%, and a light source. As the pulsed power supply applies the high frequency pulsed voltage to the solar cell via the conducting module, the light source illuminates the solar cell at a power density of 10 W/m.sup.2 above and scans the solar cell. Thereby discontinuous conductive regions are formed in the solar cell.

An apparatus of manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells by reducing contact resistance and forming point contacts is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carrying device configured to support a solar cell, a conducting module electrically connected to the solar cell optionally, a pulsed power supply used to provide a high frequency pulsed voltage that is a reverse bias voltage and has a frequency of about 1 kHz to 10 MHz and a duty cycle of about 5% to 95%, and a light source. As the pulsed power supply applies the high frequency pulsed voltage to the solar cell via the conducting module, the light source illuminates the solar cell at a power density of 10 W/m.sup.2 above and scans the solar cell. Thereby discontinuous conductive regions are formed in the solar cell.