Thin film photovoltaic solar cell and method of making the same

Patent · Tue Feb 18 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6081176

Barnett, A M

This patent describes a photovoltaic solar cell device including a back surface reflector consisting of: 1.) a substrate including a reflective upper surface; 2.) at least one layer of photoactive semiconductor material over the reflective surface; 3.) a layer of transparent conductive material between the reflective surface and at least one layer of semiconductor material. The layer of transparent conductive material acts as a barrier to diffusion of material from the reflective surface into at least one semiconductor layer. This patent includes an improvement in which the layer of transparent conductive material has a predetermined thickness selected to provide enhanced reflection of light which has passed through at least one layer of semiconductor material.

• Assignee: Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE
• Patent Number(s): US 4571488
• OSTI ID: 6081176
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
DIFFUSION BARRIERS
DIMENSIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
LAYERS
MATERIALS
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFLECTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THICKNESS
THIN FILMS