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

Abstract

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 figures.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5131542
Patent Number(s):
5306646
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-996328
Assignee:
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 23 Dec 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; CERAMICS; FABRICATION; PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS; SUBSTRATES; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; TEXTURE; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; EFFICIENCY; PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS; 140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion; 360201 - Ceramics, Cermets, & Refractories- Preparation & Fabrication

Citation Formats

Lauf, R J. Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Lauf, R J. Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells. United States.
Lauf, R J. Tue . "Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells". United States.
@article{osti_5131542,
title = {Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells},
author = {Lauf, R J},
abstractNote = {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 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {4}
}

Patent:
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