Electrical contacts for a thin-film semiconductor device

Patent · Tue Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5206752

Carlson, D E; Dickson, C R; D'Aiello, R V

This patent describes a multi-cell photovoltaic module. It comprises: a flat, transparent superstate; a plurality of front contacts of a conductive transparent oxide material formed on the superstrate and separated by substantially parallel first grooves; a plurality of photovoltaic elements of a semiconductor material formed on the front contacts and filling the first groove to electrically insulate adjacent front contacts, the photovoltaic elements being separated by second grooves parallel and adjacent to the first grooves; a plurality of strips of buffer material formed on the photovoltaic elements parallel and adjacent to the second grooves; and a plurality of back contacts of a conductive material formed on the photovoltaic elements and the buffer strips and being separated by third grooves overlying the buffer strips. The conductive material filling the second grooves to form electrical connections between adjacent front and back contacts.

• Assignee: Solarex Corp., Rockville, MD
• Patent Number(s): US 4854974
• Application Number: PPN: US 7197433A
• OSTI ID: 5206752
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
MATERIALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THIN FILMS