REC SOLAR PTE. LTD.

A spacer ( 100 ) for spacing two adjacent stacked solar modules ( 101 a, 101 b ), the spacer ( 100 ) comprising: a body ( 108 ) having spaced opposed first and second edges ( 110, 109 ), the body ( 108 ) comprising an upper contact surface ( 111 ) for contact with an upper solar module ( 101 a ), and a lower contact surface ( 112 ) for contact with a lower solar module ( 101 b ); a first upper protrusion ( 114 ) arranged to bear against a frame ( 102 ) of the upper solar module ( 101 a ), the first upper protrusion ( 114 ) protruding upwardly from or proximate to the first edge ( 110 ) of the body ( 108 ) to a free end of the first upper protrusion ( 114 ); and a first lower protrusion ( 118 ) arranged to bear against a frame ( 102 ) of the lower solar module ( 101 b ), the first lower protrusion ( 118 ) protruding downwardly from or proximate to the first edge ( 110 ) of the body to a free end of the first lower protrusion ( 118 ), the first lower protrusion ( 118 ) offset from the first upper protrusion ( 114 ) in a direction along the first edge ( 110 ).

A method for manufacturing a solar cell, the method comprising providing a substrate, arranging a passivation region on a surface of the substrate and arranging a collector layer on a surface of the passivation region, the step of arranging the passivation region comprises; depositing a first passivation layer on the surface of the substrate using a first gas; and, depositing a second passivation layer onto the surface of the first passivation layer using a second gas; wherein the first and second gases each comprise hydrogen gas and a silicon-based gas, wherein the ratio of hydrogen gas to silicon-based gas of the second gas is up to 2.5, and at least 0.4, times the ratio of hydrogen gas to silicon-based gas of the first gas.

A solar cell comprising a crystalline silicon substrate, a semiconductor layer arranged on a back surface of the substrate which is configured not to face a radiative source, when the solar cell is in use, and a transparent-conductive region arranged on a surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the transparent conductive region comprises: a first layer having a first work function; and a second layer having a second work function and being interposed between the first layer and the semiconductor layer; wherein the second work function of the second layer is greater than the first work function of the first layer.

An electrode assembly ( 100 ) for a solar cell. The electrode assembly comprises an insulating optically transparent film ( 101 ) comprising a plurality of perforations ( 103 ) formed therein, and a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced conductive wire portions ( 102 ) arranged side by side on a surface of the film. One or more of the perforations are formed so as to have at least a portion thereof interposed laterally between two wire portions of the plurality of wire portions. The perforations formed in the film may reduce losses that would otherwise occur due to absorption of light by the film. Also disclosed is a solar cell ( 107 ) that includes the electrode assembly described above, a method of forming the electrode assembly, a method of forming the solar cell, and a method of forming a solar module.

A frame member for a bifacial solar module. The frame member comprises a retaining portion (or e.g. a holder) configured to retain (or e.g. hold) a longitudinally extending edge of a solar module, such that the solar module, when retained (or e.g. held) by the retaining portion, extends laterally inwardly from the retaining portion along a reference plane. The frame member also includes a reflector surface disposed rearwardly and laterally inwardly of the retaining portion. The reflector surface slopes in a direction away from the reference plane such that light passing through the reference plane and onto the reflector surface is reflected by the reflector surface in a forward and laterally inward direction.

A solar cell assembly is presented. The solar cell assembly includes one or more solar cell units coupled in series. The solar cell unit includes a first solar cell series and a second solar cell series connected in parallel. The first and second solar cell series include a plurality of solar cells connecting in series respectively. The solar cell assembly also includes a bypass diode coupled to each solar cell unit and shared between the first and second solar cell series in each solar cell unit.

A unitary film for an electrode assembly of a solar cell, wherein the unitary film is arranged, when in use, on a surface of the solar cell and a plurality of electrically conductive elements of the electrode assembly are interposed between the unitary film and the surface of the solar cell; wherein the unitary film is formed of a polymeric material and is characterised by satisfying at least one of a first criterion and a second criterion: the first criterion requires that the polymeric material has at least two endothermic peaks in a temperature range between 40° C. and 200° C., and the second criterion requires that the unitary film has a peel strength of at least 5N per 10 mm width of the unitary film.

A method of treatment of at least one cut solar cell, the method including steps of: providing the at least one solar cell, said cell having previously been subjected to a cutting process; and performing a carrier injection treatment on at least a cut edge of the cell.