Linear focus, concentrator solar cells with screen printed metallization

A linear focus, screen-printed contact silicon solar cell for operation in a concentrator module under 600 mW/cm², AM1.5 (6 suns) illumination is described. The feasibility of fabricating low-concentration solar cells utilizing screen print, one-sun solar cell technology is demonstrated both by modeling and experimental results. The solar cells were made using the same process utilized for one-sun solar cells. The top contact design and the screen printing and firing process were optimized to fabricate solar cells with low contact resistance, unencapsulated efficiencies in the range of up to 12.7%, and fill factors up to 78% under 6 suns illumination. The development of this technology can result in over 15% efficient, cost-effective solar cells