METHOD FOR HORIZONTALLY ELECTROCHEMICALLY DEPOSITING METAL

Abstract

A method for electrochemically depositing metal on a sheet substrate, wherein an upper metal anode is placed above an electrolyte solution on the upper surface of the sheet substrate waiting for an metal electrochemical deposition, or placed elsewhere; the electrolyte solution passes the upper metal anode then flows onto the upper surface of the sheet substrate; the upper metal anode is subjected to an oxidation reaction under the action of a positive potential, losing electrons to generate metal ions, and then it flows down along with the electrolyte solution to the upper surface of the sheet substrate; the metal ions in the electrolyte solution get electrons on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate, and a metal is produced and deposited on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate.

Claims

1. A method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell, comprising the steps of disposing the upper metal anode above the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process; or enabling the electrolyte solution to contact the upper metal anode and continuously flow down to the upper cathode surface the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process; after the lower metal anode is soaked in the electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution contacts the lower cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process; or after the electrolyte solution contacts the lower metal anode, the electrolyte solution is continuously sprayed upwards to the lower cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process.

2. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is generated by the cathode surface of the solar cell, which generates electric energy after being illuminated by a light source, wherein the lower cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is generated by the crystalline silicon solar cell after being in contact with the cathode of the external power supply.

3. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein when the upper metal anode is disposed above the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process, and the upper metal anode is in contact with the electrolyte solution disposed on the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, wherein after the lower metal anode is soaked in the electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution contacts the lower cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process, or when the electrolyte solution contacts the lower metal anode and is continuously sprayed upward to the lower cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process, the lower metal anode is disposed underneath the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process.

4. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein when the electrolyte solution becomes contacts the upper metal anode and continuously flows down to the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process, the upper metal anode can be disposed from anywhere, wherein after the electrolyte solution contacts the upper metal anode disposed from anywhere, the electrolyte solution is transported to the upper cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell being prepared for the metal electrochemical deposition process.

5. The method of horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein no lower metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to any cathode surface except for the lower surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or no upper metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to any cathode surface except for the upper surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode can be simultaneously used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to all the cathode surfaces of the crystalline silicon solar cell.

6. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein the metal electrochemical deposition process performed on the cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is a photo-induction metal electrochemical deposition process, an external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process, or both processes.

7. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 6, wherein the photo-induction metal electrochemical deposition performed on the cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell can be assisted by an external power supply.

8. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises metal ions, acid radical, water and additive.

9. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 1, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are soluble anodes or insoluble anodes, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are made from same metal material or different metal materials.

10. The method of horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 2, wherein no lower metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to any cathode surface except for the lower surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or no upper metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to any cathode surface except for the upper surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode can be simultaneously used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to all the cathode surfaces of the crystalline silicon solar cell.

11. The method of horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 3, wherein no lower metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to any cathode surface except for the lower surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or no upper metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to any cathode surface except for the upper surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode can be simultaneously used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to all the cathode surfaces of the crystalline silicon solar cell.

12. The method of horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 4, wherein no lower metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to any cathode surface except for the lower surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or no upper metal anode can be used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to any cathode surface except for the upper surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell, or the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode can be simultaneously used to perform the metal electrochemical deposition to all the cathode surfaces of the crystalline silicon solar cell.

13. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 2, wherein the metal electrochemical deposition process performed on the cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is a photo-induction metal electrochemical deposition process, an external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process, or both processes.

14. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 3, wherein the metal electrochemical deposition process performed on the cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is a photo-induction metal electrochemical deposition process, an external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process, or both processes.

15. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 4, wherein the metal electrochemical deposition process performed on the cathode surface of the crystalline silicon solar cell is a photo-induction metal electrochemical deposition process, an external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process, or both processes.

16. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 2, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises metal ions, acid radical, water and additive.

17. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 3, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises metal ions, acid radical, water and additive.

18. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises metal ions, acid radical, water and additive.

19. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 2, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are soluble anodes or insoluble anodes, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are made from same metal material or different metal materials.

20. The method for horizontally electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell of claim 3, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are soluble anodes or insoluble anodes, wherein the upper metal anode and the lower metal anode are made from same metal material or different metal materials.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention applied in a p-type screen printing cell.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention applied in a conductive sheet substrate.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention applied in an n-type two-sided cell.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention applied in a p-type solar cell.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention applied in a sheet substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Drawings and detailed embodiments are combined hereinafter to elaborate the technical principles of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment using photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition method as a means to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sheet substrate 90 is a p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell. A p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell means that the metal electrode 320 of the anode of the cell is formed by sintering after being screen-printed with aluminum slurry. In the configuration of a p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell 90, the screen-printed aluminum slurry almost covers the anode area of most of the solar cells. When the cathode surface 310 of the p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell 90 is illuminated by the light source 80 to generate electric energy, a positive potential is generated on the metal electrode 320, which can be transferred to the upper metal anode 20 through the conductive rolling wheels 60 supporting the solar cell. The upper metal anode 20 is subjected to an oxidation reaction under the effect of the positive potential of the p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell, losing electrons to form metal ions, then it flows down along with the electrolyte solution 40 to the cathode surface of the p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell. Subsequently, the metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 receive electrons in the uninsulated area of the cathode surface 310 of the p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell 90 placed underneath the upper metal anode 20. Thus, a reduction reaction occurs to generate metal, which is deposited in the uninsulated area of the cathode surface 310 of the p-type crystalline silicon screen-printed solar cell, thereby completing a photo-induced electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention in this system.

[0033] In order to improve the speed of the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition process, or to lower the luminous intensity of the light source 80 required by the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition process, an external power supply can be adopted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the application of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the anode of the external power supply is connected to the upper metal anode 20, and the cathode of the external power supply is connected to the conductive rolling wheel 60. Consequently, the electric potential of the external power supply can be utilized to increase the potential difference in the process of electromechanically depositing metal.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention is placing the upper metal anode 20 above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40. The upper metal anode 20 is configured to be pipe-shaped. In this arrangement, the electrolyte solution 40 becomes in contact with the inner surface of the upper metal anode 20, and directly flows from the interior the upper metal anode 20 to the cathode surface 310 of the sheet substrate 90 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. The equipment performing the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention can be simplified by this pipe-shaped upper metal anode 20.

[0035] In some other embodiments, the upper metal anode 20 can be placed in the electrolyte solution conduit 30. The electrolyte solution conduit 30 can be made from inert-material pipe, such as plastic pipe or glass pipe. The electrolyte solution 40 contacts the outer surface of the upper metal anode 20, and flows from the electrolyte solution conduit 30 to the upper cathode surface 310 of the sheet substrate 90 of the solar cell of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. According to this configuration, the utilization rate of the upper metal anode 20 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can be significantly improved.

[0036] In some embodiments, the upper metal anode 20 is placed higher than the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40, and in some embodiments, the upper metal anode 20 above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40 can also be placed as low, such that it contacts the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40.

[0037] The electrolyte solution 40 passes through the upper metal anode 20 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, and flows to the upper cathode surface 310 of the sheet substrate 90 of the solar cell of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. Subsequently, the electrolyte solution 40 flows out from the upper cathode surface 310 of the sheet substrate 90, and returns into the electrolyte solution conduit 30 after being collected by the electrolyte solution tank 50, thereby completing the circulation of the electrolyte solution from the upper metal anode 20 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention to the upper cathode surface 310 of the sheet substrate 90 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet substrate 90 is supported by the conductive rolling wheels. In some embodiments of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the rolling wheels 60 can rotate left and right, enabling metal to be uniformly deposited. In other embodiments of the present invention, the conductive rolling wheels 60 can rotate in one direction. For instance, in equipment having a horizontal-advancement structure in the mass production, the conductive rolling wheels 60 rotating in one direction can continuously complete the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0039] The conductive rolling wheel 60 can be made from metal material. In some embodiments of the present invention, an insulating material can be used to cover most area without requiring conducting electricity on the metal conductive rolling wheel, which can effectively reduce the loss of the potential difference caused by the short circuit in the process of electrochemically depositing metal. In other embodiments of the present invention, the conductive rolling wheel can be made from insulating material. Under such circumstances, a conductive material can be used to connect an area having need of conducting electricity on the conductive rolling wheel 60, thereby achieving the conductive effect of the rolling wheel.

[0040] In other applications of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the conductive rolling wheels 60 can be changed into a number of solid conductive supporting points. Especially, when performing an intermittent metal electrochemical deposition process, these solid conductive supporting points can effectively simplify the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0041] In addition to the solar cells, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can be used for other sheet substrates. As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the sheet substrate 10 is a conductor. Namely, the conductivity between the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet substrate is determined by that of the sheet substrate 10.

[0042] Further, the upper metal anode of the present invention is not a metal anode in a general physical meaning of “being placed above”, but an upper metal anode corresponding to the upper surface cathode of the sheet substrate in the process of electrochemically depositing metal. Namely, in the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention, the metal anode, contacts the electrolyte solution subsequently flowing to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 10, is called the upper metal anode. Consequently, in the embodiment of performing the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the upper metal anode can be placed at any suitable place. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper metal anode 20 is placed at the bottom of the electrolyte solution tank 50. The electrolyte solution 40 becomes in contact with the upper metal anode 20, and is transported to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 10 through a liquid-transporting pipe 32. The liquid-transporting pipe 32 can be installed above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution, or installed at a position very close to the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution, or even installed as low as being in contact with the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper metal anode 20 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention is connected to the anode of the power supply 70, and the conductive rolling wheel is connected to the cathode of the power supply 70. The upper metal anode 20 is subjected to an oxidation reaction under the effect of the positive potential of the power supply 70, losing electrons to form metal ions. Subsequently, the metal ions flow down along with the electrolyte solution 40 to the upper surface 300 of the sheet substrate 10. The metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons on the upper surface of the sheet substrate 10, thereby producing and depositing metal on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate 10 under the reduction reaction. The sheet substrate 10 continuously obtains electrons from the cathode of the power supply 70 through the conductive rolling wheel 60, thereby completing a whole electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sheet substrate 10 can be a non-conductor, such as a printed circle board. In these embodiments, the sheet substrate 10 can be specially processed, such as provided with a conductive hole. In this arrangement, a cathode surface can be generated on the sheet substrate 10 under the conduction of the conductive rolling wheel 60 and the action of the negative potential of the cathode of the power supply 70, thereby completing the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0045] In some other embodiments, the sheet substrate 10 can be a rigid substrate, such as a rigid printed circle board. Alternatively, the sheet substrate 10 can be flexible, such as a flexible printed circle board. The metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can effectively prevent the upper surface of the sheet substrate 10 from being contacted by any solid body, thereby avoiding damages to the upper surface of the sheet substrate, which is quite suitable for performing the metal electrochemical deposition to the flexible substrates.

[0046] Further, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can utilize the potential difference produced between the external power supply and the photo-induced light source as a means to simultaneously and separately perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to the two surfaces of the sheet substrate. For example, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of simultaneously performing the metal electrochemical deposition process to the anode and the cathode of an n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell having the anode as the main light-receiving surface according to the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sheet substrate is an n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface. As shown in FIG. 3, when performing the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the light source 80 can be placed underneath the crystalline silicon solar cell 200 as the anode is the main light-receiving surface of the solar cell. The light emitted by the light source 80 can penetrate through the electrolyte solution tank 50, and illuminate on the main light-receiving surface of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0047] In this embodiment, the upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 24 are placed above the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface. The electrolyte solution 40 contacts the upper metal anode 20, and is transported through the liquid-transporting pipe 34 to the upper surface of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, namely, the cathode surface 350 of the cell 200. Meanwhile, the electrolyte solution 40 becomes in contact with the lower metal anode 24, and is transported through the liquid-transporting pipe 36 to the lower surface of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, namely, the anode surface 360 of the cell 200. The liquid-transporting pipe 34 can be installed above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution, or installed at a position very close to the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution, or even installed as low as being in contact with the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution. The liquid-transporting pipe 36 is installed underneath the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface. Preferably, the liquid-transporting pipe 36 is placed to be very close to the lower surface of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface. In this embodiment, the upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 24 are placed in a relatively concentrated area, which can greatly simplify the equipment performing the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention in a mass production.

[0048] In order to simultaneously perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to the anode 360 and the cathode 350 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, the anode of the external power supply 70 is connected to the lower metal anode 24, and the cathode of the external power supply 70 is connected to the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 200. Under the action of the external power supply 70 and the conduction of the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 200, the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface is a cathode relative to the lower metal anode 24 in an electrochemical reaction. Thus, the metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 receive electrons in the uninsulated area of the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, and subsequently produce and deposit metal in the uninsulated area of the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, when the light source 80 is switched on, the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface can generate electric energy. When the electrolyte solution 40 passes through the upper metal anode 20, and flows to the uninsulated area of the surface of the cathode 350 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, the metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons to produce and deposit metal in the uninsulated area of the cathode 350 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface. Under the action of the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, the upper metal anode 20 is subjected to an oxidation reaction, producing metal ions through the conduction of the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 200. Subsequently, the metal ions are dissolved in the electrolyte solution 40, thereby completing a whole electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction. In this embodiment, when the light source and the external power supply are simultaneously switched on, the system simultaneously performs the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition process to the surface of the cathode 350 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface, and performs the external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process to the surface of the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0050] In the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction, the speed of the electrochemical reaction is determined by the potential difference. During the process of utilizing the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition method to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention, the electric potential generated by the solar cell 200 can be regulated through adjusting the luminous intensity of the light source 80, thereby controlling the speed of depositing metal on the cathode 350 of the solar cell 200. On the other hand, through regulating the electric potential of the power supply 70, the speed of depositing metal on the anode 360 of the solar cell 200 can be controlled. Thus, the speed of depositing metal on the anode 360 and the cathode 350 of the solar cell 200 can be freely controlled.

[0051] In other embodiments of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the upper metal anode 20 can be changed from being connected to the anode 360 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface (namely, the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 200) into being connected with the lower metal anode 24. According to this connecting way, the speed of electrochemically depositing metal on the cathode 350 of the n-type crystalline silicon solar two-sided cell 200 having the anode as the main light-receiving surface can less depend on the luminous intensity of the light source 80.

[0052] After slightly modifying embodiment 3, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can utilize the potential difference produced between the external power supply and the photo-induced power supply as a means to simultaneously and separately perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to the two surfaces of a p-type crystalline silicon solar cell. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of simultaneously performing the metal electrochemical deposition process to the anode and the cathode of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface by the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sheet substrate is a p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. The p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface is supported by insulated rolling wheels 60. As shown in FIG. 4, when performing the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention, the light source 80 can be placed underneath the crystalline silicon solar cell 200 as the cathode is the main light-receiving surface of the solar cell. The light emitted by the light source 80 can penetrate through the electrolyte solution tank 50, and illuminate on the main light-receiving surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0053] In this embodiment, the upper metal anode 24 and the lower metal anode 20 are separately placed above and underneath the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. In this embodiment, the upper metal anode 24 is placed above the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface but not in contact with the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. The electrolyte solution 40 becomes in contact with the upper metal anode 24, and flows to the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, namely, the anode surface of the solar cell. There's no physical contact between the upper metal anode 24 and the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. However, when electrolyte solution is existed on the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, the upper metal anode 24 becomes in contact with the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution due to the small distance between the upper metal anode 24 and the upper surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. The lower metal anode 20 is placed underneath the lower surface of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, and is directly immersed in the electrolyte solution 40.

[0054] In order to simultaneously perform the metal electrochemical deposition process to the anode 360 and the cathode 350 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, the anode of the external power supply 70 is connected to the upper metal anode 24, and the cathode of the external power supply 70 is connected to the conductive rolling wheel 66. Under the action of the external power supply 70 and the conduction of the conductive rolling wheel 66, the anode 360 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface is a cathode relative to the upper metal anode 24 in the electrochemical reaction. Thus, the metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons in the uninsulated area of the anode 360 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, thereby producing and depositing metal in the uninsulated area of the anode 360 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0055] In this embodiment of the present invention, when the light source 80 is switched on, the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface can generate electric energy. The metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons on the surface of the cathode 350 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, then produce and deposit metal in the uninsulated area of the cathode 350 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface. Under the action of the anode 360 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, the lower metal anode 20 is subjected to an oxidation reaction to produce metal ions through the conduction of the conductive rolling wheel 66. Subsequently, the metal ions are dissolved in the electrolyte solution 40, thereby completing a whole electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction. In this embodiment, when the light source and the external power supply are simultaneously switched on, the system simultaneously performs the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition process to the surface of the cathode 350 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface, and performs the external power supply metal electrochemical deposition process to the surface of the anode 360 of the p-type crystalline silicon solar cell 200 having the cathode as the main light-receiving surface.

[0056] In the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction, the speed of the electrochemical reaction is determined by the potential difference. During the process of utilizing the photo-induced metal electrochemical deposition method to perform the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention, the electric potential generated by the solar cell 200 can be regulated through adjusting the luminous intensity of the light source 80, thereby controlling the speed of depositing metal on the cathode 350 of the solar cell 200. On the other hand, the speed of depositing metal on the anode 360 of the solar cell 200 can be controlled through regulating the electric potential of the power supply 70. Thus, the speed of depositing metal on the anode 360 and the cathode 350 of the solar cell 200 can be freely controlled.

[0057] In additional to the two-sided solar cell, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can be simultaneously performed to the two surfaces of any sheet substrate. As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet substrate 100 adopted in this embodiment is an insulator, and the electric conduction between the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet substrate 100 is achieved by a conductive hole 400 connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0058] In this embodiment, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention is to the upper metal anode 20 above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40. In some embodiments, the upper metal anode 20 can be configured into a pipe shape. In this arrangement, the electrolyte solution 40 flows through the interior of the upper metal anode 20, and directly flows to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 100 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. The pipe-shaped upper metal anode 20 can greatly simplify the equipment performing the metal electrochemical deposition process of the present invention.

[0059] In other embodiments, the upper metal anode 20 can be placed in the electrolyte solution conduit 30. The electrolyte solution conduit 30 can be made from inert-material pipe, such as plastic pipe or glass pipe. The electrolyte solution 40 flows through the outer surface of the upper metal anode 20, and flows from the electrolyte solution conduit 30 to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 100 of the solar cell of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention. In this configuration, the utilization rate of the upper metal anode 20 of the metal electrochemical deposition method the present invention can be greatly improved.

[0060] In some embodiments, the metal anode 20 can be placed above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40. Alternatively, the metal anode 20 placed above the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40 can be placed as low as being in contact with the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte liquid 40. In these embodiments, the lower metal anode 22 is placed at the bottom of the electrolyte solution tank 50, and the liquid level 42 of the electrolyte solution 40 in the electrolyte solution tank 50 is exactly in contact with the lower surface of the sheet substrate 100.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 22 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention are simultaneously connected to the anode of the power supply 70, and the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 100 is connected to the cathode of the power supply 70. The upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 22 are subjected to an oxidation reaction, losing electrons to form metal ions under the action of the positive potential of the power supply 70. The metal ions flows down along with the electrolyte solution 40 to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 100, or transported by the electrolyte solution 40 from bottom to top to the lower surface of the sheet substrate under the action of the potential difference. The metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate 100, and subjected to a reduction reaction to produce and deposit metal on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate 100. The sheet substrate 100 continuously obtains electrons from the cathode of the power supply 70 through the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 100, thereby completing a whole electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention in this system.

[0062] In above embodiments, the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can adopt two external power supplies, through which the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet substrate can be separately performed with the metal electrochemical deposition process. Meanwhile, the speed of electrochemically depositing metal on the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet substrate can be separately controlled. For instance, the upper metal anode 20 is connected to the anode of one external power supply, the lower metal anode 22 is connected to the anode of the other external power supply, and the cathodes of the two external power supplies are simultaneously connected to the conductive rolling wheel 60 supporting the sheet substrate 100. The upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 22 are subjected to an oxidation reaction, losing electrons to form metal ions under the action of the positive potential of the two power supplies. Subsequently, the metal ions flows down along with the electrolyte solution 40 to the upper surface of the sheet substrate 100, or transported by the electrolyte solution from bottom to top to the lower surface of the sheet substrate under the action of the potential difference. The metal ions in the electrolyte solution 40 get electrons on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate 100, and subjected to a reduction reaction to produce and deposit metal on the cathode surface of the sheet substrate 100. The sheet substrate 100 continuously obtains electrons from the cathodes of the two external power supplies through the conductive rolling wheels 60 supporting the sheet substrate 100, thereby completing a whole electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention in this system. Through regulating the two external power supplies, the speed of electrochemically depositing metal on the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet substrate can be separately controlled by the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention.

[0063] According to different applications, the upper metal anode 20 and the lower metal anode 22 of the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention can be insoluble anodes. In these embodiments, the metal ions in the metal electrochemical deposition method of the present invention are not produced by the upper metal anode 20 or the lower metal anode 22, but provided by the metal oxide dissolved in the electrolyte solution 40.