Method for producing textured substrates for thin-film photovoltaic cells

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870360

Lauf, Robert J ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN

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.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5503898
• OSTI ID: 870360
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
producing
textured
substrates
thin-film
photovoltaic
cells
pertains
production
ceramic
manufacture
directly
converting
solar
energy
electrical
elongated
ribbon-like
sheets
substrate
precursor
containing
mixture
particulates
binder
plasticizer
formed
green
provided
mechanically
surface
region
supporting
film
semiconductor
cell
subsequently
cut
substrate-sized
shapes
sintered
pattern
provides
enhanced
light
trapping
collection
substantially
increasing
conversion
efficiency
thin-film photovoltaic
converting solar
substantially increasing
textured substrates
textured surface
surface region
ceramic substrate
photovoltaic cells
conversion efficiency
electrical energy
solar energy
energy conversion
film photovoltaic
photovoltaic cell
provides enhanced
ceramic particulates
substrate provides
surface pattern
precursor containing
enhanced light
textured substrate
film semiconductor
directly converting
ceramic particulate
ceramic substrates
producing textured
/428/136/