Monolithic series-connected solar cells employing shorted p-n junctions for electrical isolation
This patent describes a solar cell structure. It comprises: a semiconductor substrate, cells formed in one surface of the substrate, each cell formed in one surface of the substrate, each cell having alternate rows of p-type and n-type regions formed in the one surface, a first metal contact structure contacting all p-type regions and a second metal contact structure contacting all n-type regions. The first and second metal contact structures serially connect a cell with adjacent cells, and p1 an array of shorted p-n junctions between adjacent cells in contact with the first and second metal contact structures serially connecting adjacent cells and shorted thereby, whereby the shorted p-n junctions function as minority carrier traps between adjacent cells.
- Assignee:
- Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4933022; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-272105A
- OSTI ID:
- 6668790
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 14 Nov 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Electrical isolation of component cells in monolithically interconnected modules
Interdigitated photovoltaic power conversion device