HIP-MWT: A simplified structure for metal wrap through solar cells with passivated rear surface

We suggest a simplified structure for metal wrap through passivated emitter and rear cells (MWT-PERC). This so called HIP-MWT approach (high-performance MWT) overcomes the need for a structured rear side emitter. With the simplified structure, a single additional process step allows the integration of the MWT approach into a typical process sequence for PERC-type cells. A comparison of a reference MWT-PERC structure and the simplified HIPMWT structure on cell level reveals similar efficiency levels for both approaches. The processed multicrystalline HIP-MWT silicon solar cells with a final substrate thickness of only 100 m and a cell area of 156 × 156 mm2 show conversion efficiencies of up to 17.4 % (independently confirmed).