Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells

Title: Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells

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The invention pertains to the production of ceramic substrates used in the manufacture of thin-film photovoltaic cells used for directly converting solar energy to electrical energy. Elongated ribbon-like sheets of substrate precursor containing a mixture of ceramic particulates, a binder, and a plasticizer are formed and then while green provided with a mechanically textured surface region used for supporting the thin film semiconductor of the photovoltaic cell when the sheets of the substrate precursor are subsequently cut into substrate-sized shapes and then sintered. The textured surface pattern on the substrate provides enhanced light trapping and collection for substantially increasing the, solar energy conversion efficiency of thin-film photovoltaic cells. 4 figs.

Inventors:: Lauf, R.J.

Issue Date:: 1996-04-02

OSTI Identifier:: 212593

Assignee:: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States) PTO; SCA: 140501; 360201; PA: EDB-96:063988; SN: 96001565471

Patent Number(s):: US 5,503,898/A/

Application Number:: PAN: 8-229,944

Contract Number:: AC05-84OR21400

Resource Relation:: Other Information: PBD: 2 Apr 1996

Research Org:: Lockheed Martin Energy Syst Inc

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 14 SOLAR ENERGY; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; SOLAR CELLS; SUBSTRATES; CERAMICS; FABRICATION; SINTERING; SURFACE PROPERTIES

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