Photovoltaic device having enhanced rear reflecting contact

Patent · Tue Jul 27 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6410731

Wiedeman, S; Jackson, F

A photovoltaic device is described, comprising: a layer of semiconductor material including a semiconductor junction, the semiconductor layer having first and second opposing major surfaces; a first optically transmissive electrically conductive contact layer disposed on the first major surface through which incident light enters the semiconductor layer; an optically reflective electrical contact layer disposed on the second major surface of the semiconductor layer; and the optically reflective electrical contact layer including a second optically transmissive electrically conductive contact layer disposed on the second major surface of the semiconductor layer, an optically transmissive intermediate layer including a dielectric material disposed on the second optically transmissive contact layer, and a layer of electrically conductive optically reflective material disposed on the intermediate layer; wherein the intermediate layer includes portions through which the second optically transmissive conductive layer and the optically reflective conductive layer are conductively connected. The photovoltaic device wherein the layer of semiconductor material comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in a stacked configuration, a top cell of the stack including a top layer having the first major surface, a bottom cell of the stack including a bottom layer having the second major surface, each of the plurality of photovoltaic cells including layers of hydrogenated amorphous silicon of respectively different conductivity types.

• Assignee: Amoco Corp., Chicago, IL (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5230746
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-845205
• OSTI ID: 6410731
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
BACK CONTACT SOLAR CELLS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFLECTIVITY
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE PROPERTIES