Photovoltaic device and its manufacturing method

Patent · Mon Nov 17 23:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6972800

Kishi, Y; Taniguchi, H; Sakai, S; Katoh, H; Mizukami, A

This patent describes a photovoltaic device of the type having separate photoelectric converting regions formed on an insulating surface of a substrate, the photoelectric converting regions being electrically connected in series, comprising: spaced-apart first electrode layers containing oxygen in the form of an oxide disposed on the insulating surface of the substrate. Each of the spaced-apart first electrode layers corresponds to one of the photoelectric converting regions; film-like photoelectric semiconductor layers including amorphous silicon disposed over the first spaced-apart electrode layers, respectively; a second electrode layer disposed over and contacting each of the film-like photoelectric semiconductor layers; and a coupling electrode layer disposed between the first electrode layers and the second electrode layer of adjacent photoelectric converting regions for forming a series electrical connection therebetween. The coupling electrode layer is comprised of (1) a substantially non-oxidizing metal layer selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, silver, titanium, nickel, platinum alloys, gold alloys, silver alloys, titanium alloys and nickel alloys, and (2) an overlying layer of aluminum; whereby the non-oxidizing metal layer prevents oxidation of the aluminum layer through contact with the oxygen included in the first electrode layer in the form of oxide.

• Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
• Patent Number(s): US 4623751
• OSTI ID: 6972800
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ALLOYS
AMORPHOUS STATE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
GOLD ALLOYS
LAYERS
MATERIALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PLATINUM ALLOYS
PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILVER ALLOYS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
SUBSTRATES
TITANIUM ALLOYS