Photovoltaic device and method

Patent · Tue Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6953450

Nath, P; Barnard, T J; Crea, D

This patent describes a photovoltaic device comprising: a substrate; a semiconductor body having opposed first and second surfaces, the second surface disposed on the substrate; current collection means disposed in superposed relationship with the first surface of the semiconductor body, for collecting and carrying current generated by the photovoltaic device; a layer of low electrical conductivity current flow restricting material having a sheet resistance of at least 300 ohms/square disposed beneath at least a portion of the current collection means for restricting the flow of electrical current between at least a portion of the current collection means and the underlying portions of the semiconductor body. Those portions of the semiconductor body not having the current collection means superposed thereupon are substantially free of the low conductivity material, and, a transparent, electrically conductive layer overlying and in electrical contact with at least a portion of the first surface of the semiconductor body and the current collection means.

• Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., Troy, MI
• Patent Number(s): US 4633033
• OSTI ID: 6953450
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 8 Feb 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
FABRICATION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
LAYERS
OPACITY
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SUBSTRATES
CURRENTS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
MATERIALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion