US 2010/0300532 A1 · HERMETICALLY SEALED NONPLANAR SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

A nonplanar solar cell having a water vapor transmission rate of 10−4 g/m2 day or less is provided. The nonplanar solar cell unit comprises a nonplanar substrate, a back-electrode disposed on the substrate, a semiconductor junction layer disposed on the back-electrode, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. A transparent nonplanar tubular casing is disposed onto the nonplanar solar cell. A first sealant cap is hermetically sealed to a first end of the nonplanar tubular casing. A second sealant cap is hermetically sealed to a second end of the nonplanar tubular casing. In some instances, the solar cell unit is a monolithically integrated arrangement of solar cells. In some instances, the solar cell unit is a solar cell.

Claims75

Dependent claims

A solar cell unit comprising:

(A) a nonplanar solar cell, the nonplanar solar cell comprising:
a nonplanar substrate;
a back-electrode disposed on the nonplanar substrate;
a semiconductor junction layer disposed on the back-electrode;
and
a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction;
(B) a transparent nonplanar casing circumferentially disposed onto the nonplanar solar cell, the transparent nonplanar casing having a first end and a second end;
and
(C) a first sealant cap that is hermetically sealed to the first end of the transparent nonplanar casing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hermetically sealed nonplanar solar cells

Life of this patent

Hermetically sealed nonplanar solar cells

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims75