The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
ECN has developed a new cell- and module-design for crystalline silicon solar cells called pin-up module (PUM). In this design a limited number of holes (typically 9 or 16) is used to interconnect the front-side metallisation to a foil at the rear side by using pins. In this way the busbars and tabs at the front side are eliminated resulting in several important benefits. The efficiency of the cell becomes independent of the cell area and the efficiency is higher compared to standard tabbed cells. Another benefit is the improved visual appearance. In this paper we discuss the design of the metallisation pattern for the cells. A theoretical analysis is presented that shows the gains of the PUM design over conventional cells.