ABSTRACT
For more than five decades, photovoltaic technology has seen continuous improvements, as costs have been consistently lowered, processes have been simplified and process temperatures lowered. While significant improvements have been made at the cell level, limitations remain at the module level or at the interface between the cell and the module, which is known as the cell metallization-interconnection. The SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT) required to close this gap and get the highest possible benefit out of high-efficiency solar cell performance. SWCT technology implies a change of paradigm. It requires the combination of lamination and interconnection into a single lamination step. Moreover, the module’s silver (Ag) paste consumption can be significantly reduced (< 2.4 g per 60-cell module) and even eliminated when copper (Cu) plating is used. There are also less electrical and optical losses thanks to the shorter length of the fingers and better light in-coupling than standard ribbon technologies.