Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
The formation of the front contacts of silicon based solar cells is based on screen printed silver pastes. The quality the metallization pastes and the process contributes significantly to the efficiency of the solar cells. According to actual RoHS- and REACH-guidelines the development of lead free replacements for the by default used lead containing pastes is aspired. The lead oxide based glass fraction of the silver based metallization pastes is strongly involved in the contact formation during the firing process. Thus the key for lead free metallization pastes is the development of new lead free glasses which adopt the functions of the lead containing glasses. The qualification and equipment of the IKTS facilitates both the melting, processing and characterization of glass frits as well as the development of pastes and their complete testing in solar cells.