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US 2013/0153015 A1Published application
Method for forming solar cells
AssigneeTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
InventorsWen-Chin LEE, Yung-Sheng CHU, Wen-Tsai YEN, Liang-Sheng YU
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Abstract
A thin film solar cell and process for forming the same. The solar cell includes a bottom electrode layer, semiconductor light absorbing layer, top electrode layer, and a protective moisture barrier layer. In some embodiments, the barrier layer is formed of a water-insoluble material. The barrier layer helps protect the top electrode layer from exposure and damage caused by water and oxygen.
Claims20
A thin film solar cell comprising:
- a bottom electrode layer formed on a substrate;
- a semiconductor absorber layer formed on the bottom electrode layer;
- a buffer layer formed on the absorber layer;
- a top electrode layer formed on the buffer layer, the top electrode layer being electrically connected to the bottom electrode layer through a P2 scribe line defining a vertical channel extending through the buffer and absorber layers;
- a protective first moisture barrier layer formed on the top electrode layer for protecting the top electrode layer from environmental moisture and oxygen damage, wherein the first moisture barrier layer is formed of a material that is insoluble in water;
- and
- an encapsulant formed on the first moisture barrier layer.
4 more elements
A thin film solar cell comprising:
- a bottom electrode layer formed on a substrate;
- a semiconductor absorber layer formed on the bottom electrode layer;
- a buffer layer formed on the absorber layer;
- a top electrode layer formed on the buffer layer and made of an electrically conductive TCO material, the top electrode layer being electrically connected to the bottom electrode layer through a P2 scribe line defining a vertical channel extending through the buffer and absorber layers;
- and
- a protective first moisture barrier layer deposited on the top electrode layer for protecting the top electrode layer from environmental moisture and oxygen damage, wherein the first moisture barrier layer is made of a material that is insoluble in water, the first moisture barrier material covering portions of the top electrode layer material disposed in the P2 scribe line to protect the top electrode material from moisture and oxygen damage.
3 more elements
A method for forming a thin film solar cell comprising:
- depositing a conductive bottom electrode layer on a substrate;
- depositing an absorber layer on the bottom electrode layer;
- depositing a buffer layer on the absorber layer;
- cutting an open P2 scribe line in the absorber layer, the scribe line forming an open channel with exposed sidewalls on the absorber layer from exposed portions of the absorber and buffer layers;
- depositing a top electrode layer on the buffer layer after cutting the P2 scribe line, material from the top electrode layer at least partially filling the P2 scribe line;
- depositing a first moisture barrier layer made of a water-insoluble material on the top electrode layer;
- and
- covering portions of the top electrode layer material in the P2 scribe lines with the first moisture barrier layer material for protection against water and oxygen damage to the top electrode layer material within the P2 scribe line.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.