Abstract: The challenge for the present invention is to provide a film-forming method and for forming a passivation film which can sufficiently inhibit the loss of carriers due to their recombination; and a method for manufacturing a solar cell element with the use of the method or the device. The film-forming device comprises a mounting portion 22 for mounting a film-forming object, a high frequency power source 25, and a shower plate 23 which is provided to face the film-forming object S mounted on the mounting portion 22, which introduces a film-forming gas, and to which the high frequency power source is connected and a high frequency voltage is applied. A low frequency power source 26 for applying a low frequency voltage is connected to the shower plate or the mounting portion mounting a substrate. The film-forming method is performed using the film-forming device, and the film-forming method is carried out in forming a passivation film.

Abstract: A mask includes: a tabular first section which includes a side portion and an opening portion formed at a position corresponding to a film formation region of a substrate and on which the substrate is to be disposed so that the first section overlaps a face of the substrate on which a film is to be formed; and a second section which is provided along the side portion of the first section, and covers at least one of portions of a side face of the substrate, wherein second sections of two adjacent masks overlap each other and a superposed section is thereby formed when a plurality of masks are arrayed in a lateral direction thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell, includes: forming, on a silicon substrate whose conductivity type is p-type or n-type, a silicon layer including a dopant whose conductivity type is different from that of the silicon substrate; and diffusing the dopant included in the silicon layer into the silicon substrate by heat-treating the silicon layer.

Abstract: The challenge for the present invention is to provide a film-forming method and for forming a passivation film which can sufficiently inhibit the loss of carriers due to their recombination; and a method for manufacturing a solar cell element with the use of the method or the device. The film-forming device comprises a mounting portion 22 for mounting a film-forming object, a high frequency power source 25, and a shower plate 23 which is provided to face the film-forming object S mounted on the mounting portion 22, which introduces a film-forming gas, and to which the high frequency power source is connected and a high frequency voltage is applied. A low frequency power source 26 for applying a low frequency voltage is connected to the shower plate or the mounting portion mounting a substrate. The film-forming method is performed using the film-forming device, and the film-forming method is carried out in forming a passivation film.

Abstract: A mask includes: a tabular first section which includes a side portion and an opening portion formed at a position corresponding to a film formation region of a substrate and on which the substrate is to be disposed so that the first section overlaps a face of the substrate on which a film is to be formed; and a second section which is provided along the side portion of the first section, and covers at least one of portions of a side face of the substrate, wherein second sections of two adjacent masks overlap each other and a superposed section is thereby formed when a plurality of masks are arrayed in a lateral direction thereof.

Abstract: A solar cell includes: a photoelectric converter in which a first electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode layer are stacked on a substrate in order; and a texture layer that is disposed between the substrate and the first electrode layer, made of a transparent material in a visible light region, and has a continuous irregular configuration on a face that is in touch with the first electrode layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell, includes a scribing step in which grooves electrically-separating a photoelectric converter into a plurality of compartment sections are formed after the photoelectric converter is formed on a substrate by stacking a first-electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second-electrode layer in this order; a first groove, a second groove, a third groove, and a fourth groove are formed in the scribing step; the method including an insulating-layer forming step in which an insulating layer is formed after the scribing step and a wiring layer forming step in which a wiring layer is formed; the wiring layer passes from the first-electrode layer that is exposed at a bottom face of the second groove, through the inside of the second groove and a surface of the insulating layer, to a surface of the second-electrode layer that is disposed so as to be lateral to the fourth groove opposite to the second groove; and the wiring layer electrically connects the plurality o

Abstract: A solar cell includes: a substrate having optical transparency; a photoelectric converter provided on the substrate, including a top-face electrode having optical transparency, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a back-face electrode having light reflectivity; and a low-refractive conductive layer whose refractive index is less than or equal to 2.0, the low-refractive conductive layer being made of a conductive material having optical transparency, being adjacent to the photoelectric conversion layer, and being disposed on a side of the photoelectric conversion layer opposite to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell, includes: forming, on a silicon substrate whose conductivity type is p-type or n-type, a silicon layer including a dopant whose conductivity type is different from that of the silicon substrate; and diffusing the dopant included in the silicon layer into the silicon substrate by heat-treating the silicon layer.