Photovoltaic panel having enhanced conversion efficiency stability

Patent · Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5904868

Cannella, V D

A photovoltaic panel for converting light into electrical energy has enhanced energy conversion efficiency stability. The panel includes a photovoltaic device having an active region formed from a semiconductor material which exhibits an energy conversion efficiency stability directly related to the operating temperature of the device. The panel also includes means for maintaining the operating temperature of the device upon exposure to light at an elevated temperature above the ambient temperature external to the device. The active region semiconductor material is preferably an amorphous semiconductor alloy such as, for example, an amorphous silicon alloy. The operating temperature elevating means can include a thermal insulating material such as glass wool, styrofoam, or cork applied to the back side of the device to minimize heat conduction from the device. The panel can also include an enclosure for enclosing the device having a transparent cover overlying the device to seal the enclosure and provide a still air space adjacent the device. The panel is thereby arranged to maintain the operating temperature of the device at a temperature which is from about twenty degrees Centigrade to about one hundred and fifty degrees Centigrade above the ambient temperature external to the device.

• Assignee: Sovonics Solar Systems
• Patent Number(s): US 4544798
• OSTI ID: 5904868
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 31 Jul 1984; Other Information: PAT-APPL-636172
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
DESIGN
OPERATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL INSULATION
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
AMORPHOUS STATE
COVERINGS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
OPACITY
SILICON ALLOYS
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
ALLOYS
CONTROL
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion