SOLAR CELL

Abstract

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a bus-bar electrode, a plurality of finger electrodes, and a heavily doped layer. The semiconductor substrate has a surface. The bus-bar electrode is on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a first direction. The finger electrodes are on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a second direction. One of two ends of each of the finger electrodes is connected to the bus-bar electrode. An angle created by the first direction and the second direction is less than 180 degrees. The heavily doped layer is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and includes a first portion and a plurality of second portions. The first portion is extending along the first direction. Each of the second portions is extending from the first portion along the second direction and beneath the corresponding finger electrode.

Claims

1. A solar cell, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a surface; a bus-bar electrode on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a first direction; a plurality of finger electrodes on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a second direction, wherein one of two ends of each of the finger electrodes is connected to the bus-bar electrode, and an angle defined by the first direction and the second direction is less than 180 degrees; and a heavily doped layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprising a first portion and a plurality of second portions, wherein the first portion is extending along the first direction, each of the second portions is extending from an edge of the first portion along the second direction, and each of the second portions is beneath the corresponding finger electrode.

2. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the second portions along the second direction is greater than a length of each of the finger electrodes along the second direction.

3. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the second portions along the second direction is less than a length of each of the finger electrodes along the second direction.

4. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the second portions along the second direction is equal to a length of each of the finger electrodes along the second direction.

5. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the other end of each of the finger electrodes is a free end.

6. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a connection between the first portion and each of the second portions are partially overlapped to form an overlapped region, a doping concentration of the overlapped region in the heavily doped layer is greater than a doping concentration of rest of the heavily doped layer.

7. The solar cell according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of connection electrodes on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein two ends of each of the connection electrodes are respectively connected to two of the finger electrodes adjacent to the connection electrode.

8. The solar cell according to claim 7, wherein each of the connection electrodes is extending along the first direction.

9. The solar cell according to claim 8, wherein the heavily doped layer further comprises a plurality of third portions, each of the third portions is extending along the first direction and beneath the corresponding connection electrode.

10. The solar cell according to claim 9, wherein two ends of each of the third portions are respectively connected to two of the second portions adjacent to the third portion.

11. The solar cell according to claim 6, wherein the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer is from 1×10.sup.19 to 8×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3.

12. The solar cell according to claim 6, wherein the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer is from 5.43×10.sup.18 to 2.84×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3.

13. The solar cell according to claim 2, wherein a connection between the first portion and each of the second portions are partially overlapped to form an overlapped region, a doping concentration of the overlapped region in the heavily doped layer is greater than a doping concentration of rest of the heavily doped layer.

14. The solar cell according to claim 3, wherein a connection between the first portion and each of the second portions are partially overlapped to form an overlapped region, a doping concentration of the overlapped region in the heavily doped layer is greater than a doping concentration of rest of the heavily doped layer.

15. The solar cell according to claim 4, wherein a connection between the first portion and each of the second portions are partially overlapped to form an overlapped region, a doping concentration of the overlapped region in the heavily doped layer is greater than a doping concentration of rest of the heavily doped layer.

16. The solar cell according to claim 5, wherein a connection between the first portion and each of the second portions are partially overlapped to form an overlapped region, a doping concentration of the overlapped region in the heavily doped layer is greater than a doping concentration of rest of the heavily doped layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus not limitative of the disclosure, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a solar cell of the instant disclosure showing the electrodes layout on the surface thereof;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial enlarged view (1) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial enlarged view (2) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial enlarged view (3) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial enlarged view (4) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial enlarged view (5) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial enlarged view (6) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial enlarged view (7) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a solar cell of the instant disclosure showing the electrodes layout on the surface thereof; and

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial enlarged view of the portion P2 shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively illustrate a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a solar cell of the instant disclosure showing the electrode layout on the surface thereof and a partial enlarged view (1) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the solar cell 1 comprises a semiconductor substrate 11, a bus-bar electrode 12, a plurality of finger electrodes 13, and a heavily doped layer 14. The semiconductor substrate 11 has a surface 111. The bus-bar electrode 12 is on the surface 111 of the semiconductor substrate 11 and extending along a first direction (e.g., the Y axis direction). The finger electrodes 13 are also on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 and extending along the second direction (e.g., the X axis direction). One of two ends of each of the finger electrodes 13 is connected to the bus-bar electrode 12. In this embodiment, as long as the angle created by the first direction and the second direction is less than 180 degrees, the first direction and the second direction are not limited to be the Y axis direction and the X axis direction. In addition, the surface 111 of the semiconductor substrate 11 may be the illuminated surface or the unilluminated surface, depending on the types of the solar cell 1. For example, if the solar cell 1 is a p-type solar cell, the illuminated surface would have lightly n-doped regions plus some selectively heavily n-doped regions in contact with the metal screen printing electrodes. In other words, the surface 111 of the semiconductor substrate 11 the bus-bar electrode 12 and the finger electrodes 13 are on may be the illuminated surface. Conversely, if the solar cell is an n-type solar cell, the unilluminated surface has lightly n-doped regions for providing rear electric field plus some selectively heavily n-doped regions in contact with the metal screen printing electrodes. In other words, the surface 111 of the semiconductor substrate 11, the bus-bar electrode 12 and the finger electrodes 13 are on may be the unilluminated surface. For a bifacial solar cell, both surfaces of the semiconductor substrate could be illuminated surface, therefore the heavily doped regions may be disposed on both surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. In summary, the selectively heavily doped regions may be disposed on either or both of the illuminated surface and the unilluminated surface to improve the carrier collection rate of a local location where they are disposed on.

[0032] The heavily doped layer 14 is formed on the surface 111 of the solar cell 11 and includes a first portion 141 and a plurality of second portions 142. The dopant of the heavily doped layer 14 may be P-type or N-type, depending on the types of the solar cell 1. The first portion 141 of the heavily doped layer 14 is approximately on the outer periphery of the surface 111 of the solar cell 1. Specifically, the first portion 141 of the heavily doped layer 14 is between a free end 131 of each of the finger electrodes 13 and an edge 112 of the semiconductor substrate 11. The first portion 141 of the heavily doped layer 14 is extending along the first direction (e.g., the Y axis direction). Each of the second portions 142 is extending from an edge of the first portion 141 along the second direction (e.g., the X axis direction), and each of the second portions 142 is beneath the corresponding finger electrode 13. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is equal to a length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In a projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, neither the second portions 142 are overlapped with the first portion 141, nor the finger electrodes 13 are overlapped with the first portion 141.

[0033] Please refer to FIG. 3, illustrating a partial enlarged view (2) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is greater than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, neither the second portions 142 are overlapped with the first portion 141, nor the finger electrodes 13 are overlapped with the first portion 141.

[0034] Please refer to FIG. 4, illustrating a partial enlarged view (3) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is less than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, the second portions 142 are not overlapped with the first portion 141, but the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 are partially overlapped with the first portion 141.

[0035] Please refer to FIG. 5, illustrating a partial enlarged view (4) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is greater than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, the second portions 142 are partially overlapped with the first portion 141 to form overlapped regions 144, but the finger electrodes 13 are not overlapped with the first portion 141. A doping concentration of each of the overlapped regions 144 is greater than doping concentrations of the rest of heavily doped layer 14.

[0036] Please refer to FIG. 6, illustrating a partial enlarged view (5) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is greater than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, the second portions 142 are partially overlapped with the first portion 141 to form the overlapped regions 144, and the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 are also partially overlapped with the first portion 141. The doping concentration of each of the overlapped regions 144 is greater than doping concentrations of the rest of the heavily doped layer 14.

[0037] Please refer to FIG. 7, illustrating a partial enlarged view (6) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is greater than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, the second portions 142 are partially overlapped with the first portion 141 to form the overlapped regions 144, but the finger electrodes 13 are not overlapped with the first portion 141. A doping concentration of each of the overlapped regions 144 is greater than doping concentrations of rest portions in the heavily doped layer 14.

[0038] Please refer to FIG. 8, illustrating a partial enlarged view (7) of the portion P1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, in this embodiment, the length of each of the second portions 142 along the second direction is greater than the length of each of the finger electrodes 13 along the second direction. In the projecting direction perpendicular to the surface 111 of the solar cell 1, the second portions 142 are partially overlapped with the first portion 141 to form the overlapped regions 144, and the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 are also partially overlapped with the first portion 141. The doping concentration of each of the overlapped regions 144 is greater than doping concentrations of rest portions in the heavily doped layer 14.

[0039] FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively illustrate a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a solar cell of the instant disclosure showing the electrode layout on the surface thereof and a partial enlarged view of the portion P2 shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the solar cell 2 further comprises a plurality of connection electrodes 16. Two ends of each of the connection electrodes 16 are respectively connected to two of the finger electrodes 13 adjacent to the connection electrode 16. The connection electrodes 16 efficiently reduce the average moving paths of the carriers formed upon the surface 111 being illuminated by sunlight, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 2.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 10, the heavily doped layer 14 of the solar cell 2 may further comprise third portions 143. Each of the third portions 143 is extending along the first direction and beneath the corresponding connection electrode 16. Two ends of each of the third portions 143 are respectively connected to two of the second portions 142 adjacent to the third portion 143.

[0041] In one embodiment, the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer 14 is from 1×10.sup.19 to 8×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3. In another embodiment, the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer is approximately from 5.43×10.sup.18 to 2.84×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3. Experiments reveal that the value of 5.43×10.sup.18 atom/cm.sup.3 is a critical point for the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer. In other words, when the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer is lower than 5.43×10.sup.18 atom/cm.sup.3, the solar cell efficiency does not increase apparently. In addition, the value of 8×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3 is a saturation point for the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer 14. In other words, even though the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer 14 is higher than 8×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3, the solar cell efficiency cannot get further increase. Moreover, the experiments further reveal the increase of the solar cell efficiency becomes steady when the doping concentration of the heavily doped layer 14 is already higher than 2.84×10.sup.19 atom/cm.sup.3.

[0042] One feature of one of the embodiment is that the heavily doped region is formed on a region other than the portion beneath the surface electrodes of the solar cell; specifically formed on the region between the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 and the edge 112 of the semiconductor substrate 11 (e.g., the heavily doped region 14 may be formed at the first portion 141 of the embodiment). Accordingly, the resistance between the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 and the edge 112 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is reduced, so that the carriers formed between the free ends 131 of the finger electrodes 13 and the edge 112 of the semiconductor substrate 11 can be collected efficiently, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the solar cell.

[0043] While the instant disclosure has been described by the way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.