Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells

Patent · Tue Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:5131542

Lauf, R J

The invention pertains to the production of ceramic substrates used in the manufacture of thin-film photovoltaic cells used for directly converting solar energy to electrical energy. Elongated ribbon-like sheets of substrate precursor containing a mixture of ceramic particulates, a binder, and a plasticizer are formed and then while green provided with a mechanically textured surface region used for supporting the thin film semiconductor of the photovoltaic cell when the sheets of the substrate precursor are subsequently cut into substrate-sized shapes and then sintered. The textured surface pattern on the substrate provides enhanced light trapping and collection for substantially increasing the solar energy conversion efficiency of thin-film photovoltaic cells. 4 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5306646; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-996328
• OSTI ID: 5131542
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 23 Dec 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
FABRICATION
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SUBSTRATES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TEXTURE
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360201 - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories- Preparation & Fabrication