Photovoltaic device with increased light absorption and method for its manufacture

Patent · Tue Jul 20 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6158563

Glatfelter, T; Vogeli, C; Can, J; Hammond, G

A photovoltaic cell is described having decreased shading, the cell comprising: a layer of bottom electrode material; a photovoltaic body disposed upon the layer of bottom electrode material; a layer of top electrode material disposed upon the photovoltaic body in a spaced apart relationship with the layer of bottom electrode material so that the photovoltaic body is sandwiched there between; and a layer of transparent, electrically insulating synthetic organic polymeric encapsulating material disposed directly upon the top electrode material so as to substantially cover the top electrode, the encapsulating layer having a pattern of grooves formed integrally therein, the pattern covering substantially all of the active area of the cell and operative to direct light incident thereon so that an increased amount of the light is absorbed within the photovoltaic cell as compared to photovoltaic cells without the encapsulating layer.

• Assignee: United Solar Systems Corp., Troy, MI (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5228926; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-776659
• OSTI ID: 6158563
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ABSORPTIVITY
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DIRECT SOLAR RADIATION
MACHINING
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
SURFACE FINISHING