Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects as well as Fabrication methods and structures for forming thin film back contact solar cells are described.

Abstract: A back contact solar cell is described which includes a semiconductor light absorbing layer; a first-level metal layer (M1), the M1 metal layer on a back side of the light absorbing layer, the back side being opposite from a front side of the light absorbing layer designed to receive incident light; an electrically insulating backplane sheet backside of said solar cell with the M1 layer, the backplane sheet comprising a plurality of via holes that expose portions of the M1 layer beneath the backplane sheet; and an M2 layer in contact with the backplane sheet, the M2 layer made of a sheet of pre-fabricated metal foil material comprising a thickness of between 5-250 ?m, the M2 layer electrically connected to the M1 layer through the via holes in the backplane sheet.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures relating to multi-level metallization for solar cells as well as fabrication methods and structures for forming thin film back contact solar cells are provided.

Abstract: A back contact solar cell structure having a light receiving frontside and a metallized backside of on-cell patterned base and emitter metallization electrically connected to base and emitter regions on a back contact solar cell semiconductor substrate. A backplane laminate layer made of resin and fibers and having a coefficient of thermal expansion relatively matched to the back contact solar cell semiconductor substrate is attached to the on-cell base and emitter metallization and to portions of the back contact solar cell semiconductor substrate not covered by the on-cell base and emitter metallization.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects are described. The method comprises depositing an interdigitated pattern of base electrodes and emitter electrodes on a backside surface of a semiconductor substrate, attaching a prepreg backplane to the interdigitated pattern of base electrodes and emitter electrodes, forming holes in the prepreg backplane which provide access to the first layer of electrically conductive metal, and depositing a second layer of electrically conductive metal on the backside surface of the prepreg backplane forming an electrical interconnect with the first layer of electrically conductive metal through the holes in the prepreg backplane.

Abstract: Solar cell array solutions including monolithic solar cell arrays and fabrication methods. A first patterned cell metallization contacts base and emitter regions of each of a plurality of solar cells having a light receiving frontside and a backside. An electrically insulating continuous backplane layer is attached to the backside of the solar cells and covers the first cell metallization of each of the solar cells. Via holes through the continuous backplane layer provide access to the first cell metallization. A second cell metallization is connected to the first cell metallization of each of the solar cells and electrically interconnects the solar cells in the array.

Abstract: Solar cell array solutions including monolithic solar cell arrays and fabrication methods. A first patterned cell metallization contacts base and emitter regions of each of a plurality of solar cells having a light receiving frontside and a backside. An electrically insulating continuous backplane layer is attached to the backside of the solar cells and covers the first cell metallization of each of the solar cells. Via holes through the continuous backplane layer provide access to the first cell metallization. A second cell metallization is connected to the first cell metallization of each of the solar cells and electrically interconnects the solar cells in the array.

Abstract: A back contact solar cell is described which includes a semiconductor light absorbing layer; a first-level metal layer (M1), the M1 metal layer on a back side of the light absorbing layer, the back side being opposite from a front side of the light absorbing layer designed to receive incident light; an electrically insulating backplane sheet backside of said solar cell with the M1 layer, the backplane sheet comprising a plurality of via holes that expose portions of the M1 layer beneath the backplane sheet; and an M2 layer in contact with the backplane sheet, the M2 layer made of a sheet of pre-fabricated metal foil material comprising a thickness of between 5-250 ?m, the M2 layer electrically connected to the M1 layer through the via holes in the backplane sheet.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects as well as Fabrication methods and structures for forming thin film back contact solar cells are described.