Photovoltaic cell having increased active area and method for producing same

Patent · Tue Oct 14 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5117552

Nath, P; Izu, M; Ovshinsky, H C; Singh, A

This patent describes an improved large area, flexible photovoltaic device. The device is comprised of electrically interconnected smaller area photovoltaic cells, each of the smaller cells including: a flexible substrate member having at least one electrically conductive base electrode region thereupon, a semiconductor body disposed upon the substrate in electrical communication with the base electrode region, and at least one relatively transparent top electrode member disposed upon the semiconductor body. The base electrode region, semiconductor body and top electrode member cooperate to provide at least one photovoltaic region in each of the smaller area cells for absorbing incident light and generating electrical current in response thereto; the smaller area cells including a discrete, elongated electrically conductive bus bar disposed proximate substantially the entire length of a first edge thereof, in electrical communication with the top electrode member, for conveying the electrical current to at least one collection point proximate at least a second edge thereof; and the smaller area cells disposed in overlapping relationship so that the bus bar of at least one of the cells is disposed beneath the substrate of an adjacent cell.

• Assignee: Sovonics Solar Systems, Troy, MI
• Patent Number(s): US 4617421
• OSTI ID: 5117552
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CURRENTS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
ELONGATION
FABRICATION
FLEXIBILITY
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TENSILE PROPERTIES