Interconnected silicon film solar cell array
AssigneeAstroPower, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Rand, Allen M. Barnett, Robert B. Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of thin polycrystalline silicon solar cells formed on a ceramic substrate and which are electrically series connected to form a monolithically interconnected submodule. Adjacent solar cells are electrically separated by a vertical trench and electrically connected by interconnects located below the light receiving surface of each solar cell. The submodules are provided with external electrical contacts for electrically connecting into a photovoltaic module assembly.
Claims31
A photovoltaic device having solar cells which are electrically series connected to form a monolithically interconnected submodule, comprising:
- a. a ceramic substrate;
- b. a plurality of solar cells formed over the substrate, each cell having a light receiving surface and comprising oppositely doped regions of semiconductor materials which includes a first doped region of semiconductor material and a second doped region of semiconductor material doped oppositely to said first doped region, said second doped region covering a top surface and a side surface of said first doped region and not covering a bottom surface of said first doped region and each cell being electrically separated from adjacent cells by a vertical trench;
- c. interconnects located in the trenches, below the light receiving surface of the cells and contacting oppositely doped regions of adjacent cells;
- and
- d. external electrical contacts.
A photovoltaic device having solar cells which are electrically series connected to form a monolithically interconnected submodule, comprising:
- a. an electrically insulating ceramic substrate containing a patterned array of a plurality of electrically conductive regions intersecting the upper surface of the substrate which function as interconnects between the solar cells;
- a patterned barrier layer formed over the substrate;
- c. a plurality of solar cells formed over the barrier layer, each cell having a light receiving surface and comprising oppositely doped regions of semiconductor materials which includes a first doped region of semiconductor material and a second doped region of semiconductor material doped oppositely to said first doped region, said second doped region covering a top surface and extending through an interior of said first doped region and not covering a bottom surface of said first doped region and each cell being electrically separated from adjacent cells by a vertical trench;
- d. a plurality of contact regions in selective electrical communication between oppositely doped regions of adjacent cells;
- and
- e. external electrical contacts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.