Patent ID: 9150966
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: C23C,H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a photovoltaic cell electrode structure, wherein the photovoltaic cell electrode structure comprises a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer thereon, the method comprising: providing a plurality of contact openings through the passivation layer to the semiconductor substrate; selectively plating a contact metal into the plurality of contact openings to deposit the contact metal by printing electroless plating solution directly into the plurality of contact openings; depositing at least one metal containing layer over the deposited contact metal to form metal gridlines; and firing the deposited contact metal and the at least one deposited metal containing layer, wherein all of said providing, said selectively plating, said depositing and said firing are performed while said semiconductor substrate remains disposed on a conveyor belt, and wherein the method further comprises depositing a light sensitive seed layer on the passivation layer prior to forming the plurality of contact openings in the passivation layer, and light activating the light sensitive seed layer in portions on and surrounding one or more of the plurality of contact openings, wherein the selective plating of the contact metal deposits the contact metal at light activated portions of the light sensitive seed layer and in the plurality of contact openings.