Process for utilizing low-cost graphite substrates for polycrystalline solar cells

Patent · Tue Mar 07 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6534902

Chu, T L

Low cost polycrystalline silicon solar cells supported on substrates were prepared by depositing successive layers of polycrystalline silicon containing appropriate dopants over supporting substrates of a member selected from the group consisting of metallurgical grade polycrystalline silicon, graphite and steel coated with a diffusion barrier of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate, or mixtures thereof such that p-n junction devices were formed which effectively convert solar energy to electrical energy. To improve the conversion efficiency of the polycrystalline silicon solar cells, the crystallite size in the silicon was substantially increased by melting and solidifying a base layer of polycrystalline silicon before depositing the layers which form the p-n junction.

• Assignee: EDB-79-035022; ERA-04-022041
• Patent Number(s): US 4077818
• OSTI ID: 6534902
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601 -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
CARBON
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
GRAIN SIZE
GRAPHITE
JUNCTIONS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NONMETALS
P-N JUNCTIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYCRYSTALS
RECRYSTALLIZATION
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SIZE
SOLAR CELLS
SUBSTRATES