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US 2003/0213974 A1Published application
Monolithically integrated diodes in thin-film photovoltaic devices
AssigneeGlobal Solar Energy, Inc.
InventorsJoseph H. Armstrong, Scott Wiedeman, Lawrence M. Woods
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the design and manufacture of and includes monolithically integrated diodes for use in planar, thin-film, photovoltaic devices, such as solar cells.
Claims43
A method for manufacturing diodes comprising the steps of
- providing a photoactive apparatus comprising
- an electrically insulating substrate layer,
- a conductive layer deposited on said substrate layer,
- a p-type absorber layer deposited on said conductive layer, and
- an n-type window layer deposited on said p-type absorber layer;
- a first removing step comprising removing a portion of said conductive layer, said p-type absorber layer, and said n-type window layer;
- applying an electrical insulator to a portion of said substrate;
- a second removing step comprising removing a portion of said p-type absorber layer and said n-type window layer;
- applying a translucent conductor layer to said apparatus;
- a third removing step comprising removing a portion of said translucent conductor layer, of said p-type absorber layer, and of said n-type window layer;
- and
- applying an opaque layer to a portion of said translucent conductive layer.
9 more elements
An apparatus for use as a diode comprising
- a substrate layer,
- a conductive layer deposited on said substrate layer,
- an p-type absorber layer deposited on said conductive layer,
- a n-type window layer deposited on said p-type absorber layer,
- a first trench area on said substrate layer, and formed into said conductive layer, said p-type absorber layer, and said n-type window layer;
- an electrical insulator layer deposited on said first trench area;
- a second trench area parallel to said first trench area, on said conductive layer and formed into said p-type absorber layer and said n-type window layer;
- a translucent conductive layer deposited on said n-type window layer, said electrical insulator, and said second trench area;
- a third trench area near said second trench area, on said conductive layer and formed into said p-type absorber layer, said n-type window layer, and said translucent conductive layer;
- and
- an opaque layer deposited on a portion of said translucent conductive layer.
8 more elements
A method for manufacturing modules of photovoltaic cells with integrated diodes comprising the steps of
- providing a photoactive apparatus comprising
- an electrically insulating substrate layer,
- a conductive layer deposited on said substrate layer,
- an p-type absorber layer deposited on said conductive layer, and
- a n-type window layer deposited on said p-type absorber layer;
- a first removing step comprising removing a portion of said conductive layer, said p-type absorber layer, and said n-type window layer;
- applying an electrical insulator to a portion of said substrate;
- a second removing step comprising removing a portion of said p-type absorber layer and said n-type window layer;
- applying a translucent conductor layer to said apparatus;
- a third removing step comprising removing a portion of said translucent conductor layer, of said p-type absorber layer, and of said n-type window layer;
- applying an opaque layer to a portion of said translucent conductive layer, and said removing steps further defining a plurality of photovoltaic devices.
8 more elements
An apparatus for use as a protected array of photovoltaic cells comprising
- means for generating an electric current from electromagnetic radiation provided in a direction, and
- means for providing a one-way path for said current in reverse bias to said direction when said apparatus is not generating electric current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.