Integrated Shunt Protection Diodes For Thin-Film Photovoltaic Cells And Modules
OwnerKishore KAMATHinventor
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Abstract
A method for fabricating a photovoltaic cell with an integrated shunt protection diode. The photovoltaic cell and corresponding integrated shunt protection diode are created by first scribing a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate to define a plurality of transparent conductive oxide areas. Next, a semiconductor layer is deposited onto a surface of the transparent conductive oxide layer. This semiconductor layer is scribed to expose a portion of each of the transparent conductive oxide areas. A conductive layer is then deposited onto a surface of the semiconductor layer. Subsequently, the conductive layer is scribed into conductive areas.
Claims15
A thin-film photovoltaic module comprising:
- a plurality of series connected solar cells;
- and
- a plurality of integrated shunt protection diodes connected in parallel to the plurality of solar cells to protect the solar cells against open connections;
- wherein each of the solar cells are scribed to form a corresponding one of the plurality of diodes.
A method for fabricating a photovoltaic cell with a shunt protection diode that is integrated during the scribing process, comprising:
- scribing a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer on a substrate to define a plurality of TCO areas;
- depositing at least one semiconductor layer onto a surface of the TCO layer;
- scribing a portion of the semiconductor layer, to expose a portion of each of the TCO areas;
- depositing a conductive layer onto a surface of the semiconductor layer;
- and
- scribing the conductive layer and semiconductor layer to define a plurality of conductive areas.
A method for fabricating a thin-film photovoltaic cell with a shunt protection diode that is integrated during the scribing process, comprising:
- scribing a TCO layer on a substrate to define a plurality of TCO areas;
- depositing at least one semiconductor layer onto a surface of the TCO layer;
- scribing a portion of the semiconductor layer, to expose a portion of each of the TCO areas;
- depositing a conductive layer onto a surface of the semiconductor layer;
- and
- scribing the conductive layer and semiconductor layer to define a plurality of conductive areas.
A method for fabricating a photovoltaic cell with a diode that is integrated during the manufacturing process, comprising:
- removing a portion of a TCO layer on a substrate to define a plurality of TCO areas;
- depositing at least one semiconductor layer onto a surface of the TCO layer;
- removing a portion of the semiconductor layer, to expose a portion of each of the TCO areas;
- depositing a conductive layer onto a surface of the semiconductor layer;
- and
- removing a portion of the conductive layer and semiconductor layer to define a plurality of conductive areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.