Schottky uv solar cell
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsHongbin Yu, Sandwip Dey, Xiao Di Sun Zhou, Ebraheem Azhar
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Abstract
Optically transmissive UV solar cells may be coupled to glass substrates, for example windows, in order to generate electricity while still providing suitable optical behavior for the window. The UV solar cells may be utilized to power electrochromic components coupled to the window to adjust or vary the transmissivity of the window. The UV solar cells may utilize a Schottky ZnO/ZnS heterojunction.
Claims15
A system integrating photovoltaic components and electrochromic components, comprising:
- a glass substrate;
- an electrochromic film disposed atop the glass substrate;
- and
- a UV solar cell disposed atop the electrochromic film.
A method of reducing electricity usage, the method comprising:
- disposing an electrochromic film atop a glass substrate, wherein the glass substrate is usable as a window;
- disposing a UV solar cell atop the electrochromic film;
- and
- operating, via a voltage supplied by exposure of the UV solar cell to sunlight, the electrochromic film to reduce at least one of visible light transmission or infrared transmission through the glass substrate.
A method for forming a UV solar cell on a glass substrate, the method comprising:
- forming a layer of ZnO on the glass substrate;
- forming a layer of ZnS on the layer of ZnO to form a heterojunction;
- and
- forming a layer of solution-grown Cu nanowires on the layer of ZnS.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.