Large area single crystalline silicon solar cells by cost effective process

Conversion efficiencies of crystalline silicon based solar cells are today pushed close to the theoretical limits. Unfortunately the fabrication proce sses of these high-efficiency solar cells; are far too expensive in scope o f commercial manufacturing of the solar cells. Low cost fabrication process for single crystalline, pn-junction silicon solar cells is described in th is paper. The specialty of this process is the use of the copper as solar c ells contact material instead of traditional solutions that are based on sc reen printing technique. This alternative metallization method does not inc rease the production costs significantly, but offers several advantages ove r the commonly used screen printing of aluminium or silver.