Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell which simplifies the formation of a transparent electrode layer. The method includes forming conductive semiconductor layers on the back surface side of a substrate, forming a transparent conductive film on the conductive semiconductor layers, forming an uncured film of a metal electrode layer on the conductive semiconductor layers, patterning the transparent conductive film to form transparent electrode layers, and forming the metal electrode layers, in this order. In the metal electrode layer uncured film forming, a printing material is printed and dried to form the uncured film of the metal electrode layer; in the transparent electrode layer forming, the uncured film of the metal electrode layer is used as a mask to pattern the transparent conductive film; and in the metal electrode layer forming, the uncured film of the metal electrode layer is fired and cured to form the metal electrode layers.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition includes 1 to 10 parts by weight of a binder (A), 2 to 20 parts by weight of an epoxy monomer (B), 1 to 20 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent (C), and 70 to 95 parts by weight of a conductive filler (D). The binder (A) is a reactive oligomer having a siloxane bond as a main skeleton and including a plurality of oxirane rings as an organic group. The epoxy monomer (B) includes an oxirane ring. The total amount of the binder (A), the epoxy monomer (B), the crosslinking agent (C), and the conductive filler (D) is 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: A resist composition for pattern printing contains a binder, a filler, a thickener, and a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate. The resist composition does not contain a photoinitiator. The resist composition also contains photocatalytic titanium oxide. A method for forming a pattern includes a resist composition that is pattern-wise printed, and then the resist composition is irradiated with an actinic radiation such that seepage of the resist component from an end of the pattern during the pattern formation using the resist composition is suppressed and the seepage portion is decomposed. As a result, it is possible to drastically reduce the seepage without impairing the rheology of the resist composition and additionally, to remove a slightly seeping portion without requiring, for example, a harmful ozone treatment or the like.

Abstract: A back contact solar cell is suppressed in decrease of yield due to warp of a semiconductor substrate or short circuit of electrodes, and includes a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and a first electrode layer, sequentially laminated on a part of the back surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type and a second electrode layer, sequentially laminated on another part of the back surface. Each of the first and second electrode layers comprises a base conductive layer and a plating layer covering the base conductive layer. The base conductive layer comprises a base bus bar part and a plurality of base finger parts. With respect to each one of the plurality of base finger parts, one end part and the other end part in the longitudinal direction are narrower than a middle part.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition includes 1 to 10 parts by weight of a binder (A), 2 to 20 parts by weight of an epoxy monomer (B), 1 to 20 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent (C), and 70 to 95 parts by weight of a conductive filler (D). The binder (A) is a reactive oligomer having a siloxane bond as a main skeleton and including a plurality of oxirane rings as an organic group. The epoxy monomer (B) includes an oxirane ring. The total amount of the binder (A), the epoxy monomer (B), the crosslinking agent (C), and the conductive filler (D) is 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crystalline silicon-based solar cell having a photoelectric conversion section includes a silicon-based layer of an opposite conductivity-type on a first principal surface side of a crystalline silicon substrate of a first conductivity-type, and a collecting electrode formed by an electroplating method on a first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section. By applying laser light from a first or second principal surface side of the photoelectric conversion section, an insulation-processed region his formed where a short-circuit between the first principal surface and a second principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section is eliminated. On the collecting electrode and/or the insulation-processed region, a protecting layer s formed for preventing diffusion of a metal contained in the collecting electrode into the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crystalline silicon-based solar cell having a photoelectric conversion section includes a silicon-based layer of an opposite conductivity-type on a first principal surface side of a crystalline silicon substrate of a first conductivity-type, and a collecting electrode formed by an electroplating method on a first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section. By applying laser light from a first or second principal surface side of the photoelectric conversion section, an insulation-processed region his formed where a short-circuit between the first principal surface and a second principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section is eliminated. On the collecting electrode and/or the insulation-processed region, a protecting layer s formed for preventing diffusion of a metal, which is contained in the collecting electrode into the substrate.

Abstract: In a solar cell, a collecting electrode is provided on a transparent electrode of a photoelectric conversion section having the transparent electrode on the outermost surface on one main surface side. The collecting electrode includes a first electroconductive layer and a second electroconductive layer in this order from the photoelectric conversion section side. Preferably, a self-assembled monolayer is formed on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer. A method for manufacturing the solar cell includes: forming a first electroconductive layer on a transparent electrode layer; forming a self-assembled monolayer on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer; and bringing the first electroconductive layer and a plating solution into contact with each other to form the second electroconductive layer by a plating method, in this order.

Abstract: In a solar cell, a collecting electrode is provided on a transparent electrode of a photoelectric conversion section having the transparent electrode on the outermost surface on one main surface side. The collecting electrode includes a first electroconductive layer and a second electroconductive layer in this order from the photoelectric conversion section side. Preferably, a self-assembled monolayer is formed on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer. A method for manufacturing the solar cell includes: forming a first electroconductive layer on a transparent electrode layer; forming a self-assembled monolayer on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer; and bringing the first electroconductive layer and a plating solution into contact with each other to form the second electroconductive layer by a plating method, in this order.