Method of making a solar-cell array

Patent · Tue Dec 18 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5516499

Kaplow, R; Frank, R I; Goodrich, J L

The invention contemplates a method of making a solar-cell construction wherein plural spaced elongate unit cells of an array are formed from a parallel-grooved single wafer of substrate material of a first conductivity type, with adjacent sidewalls of adjacent units at each inter-unit groove formation. In the transverse succession of such groove formations, the sidewalls of every other groove are formed with regions of a second conductivity type, so that at or near the radiation-exposure surface of each unit there is but one junction between first and second conductivity types. In one general form, all grooves go all the way between upper and lower wafer surfaces, thus defining discrete single-cell units; in another general form, every other groove ends close to but short of the upper surface, thus defining discrete twin-cell units. The units are series-connected by making ohmic connection between the second conductivity-type region of one unit and a first conductivity-type region of an adjacent unit. The construction lends itself to a relatively simple and economical manufacture. 6 claims.

• Assignee: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech.
• Patent Number(s): US 4179318
• OSTI ID: 5516499
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
ETCHING
FABRICATION
JUNCTIONS
MASKING
MATERIALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
P-N JUNCTIONS
P-TYPE CONDUCTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE FINISHING