System for eliminating short and latent short circuit current paths in photovoltaic devices

Patent · Tue Apr 16 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5282388

Izu, M; Cannella, V D

Systems and methods for detecting and eliminating latent and existing short circuit current paths through photovoltaic devices of the type including at least one semiconductor region overlying a substrate and a layer of conductive light transmissive material overlying the at least one semiconductor region are disclosed. The latent paths are first converted to existing short circuit current paths by applying a bias voltage to the devices. The short circuit current paths which are eliminated extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current paths is increased substantially at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path. The isolation can be provided by removing the transparent conductive material from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path. The isolation also can be provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. Further, the short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution which path then can be eliminated as described above.

• Assignee: Sovonics Solar Systems
• Patent Number(s): US 4510675
• OSTI ID: 5282388
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 14 May 1984; Other Information: PAT-APPL-610198
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
SOLAR CELLS
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
FABRICATION
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
OPACITY
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SUBSTRATES
VISIBLE RADIATION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion