Interdigitated photovoltaic power conversion device
- Englewood, CO
- Golden, CO
- Conifer, CO
A photovoltaic power conversion device has a top surface adapted to receive impinging radiation. The device includes at least two adjacent, serially connected cells. Each cell includes a semi-insulating substrate and a lateral conductivity layer of a first doped electrical conductivity disposed on the substrate. A base layer is disposed on the lateral conductivity layer and has the same electrical charge conductivity thereof. An emitter layer of a second doped electrical conductivity of opposite electrical charge is disposed on the base layer and forms a p-n junction therebetween. A plurality of spaced channels are formed in the emitter and base layers to expose the lateral conductivity layer at the bottoms thereof. A front contact grid is positioned on the top surface of the emitter layer of each cell. A first current collector is positioned along one outside edge of at least one first cell. A back contact grid is positioned in the channels at the top surface of the device for engagement with the lateral conductivity layer. A second current collector is positioned along at least one outside edge of at least one oppositely disposed second cell. Finally, an interdigitation mechanism is provided for serially connecting the front contact grid of one cell to the back contact grid of an adjacent cell at the top surface of the device.
- Research Organization:
- Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-83CH10093
- Assignee:
- Midwest Research Institute (Kansas City, MO)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5897715
- OSTI ID:
- 872263
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
InGaAs PV device development for TPV power systems
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conference | January 1995 |
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Related Subjects
photovoltaic
power
conversion
device
top
surface
adapted
receive
impinging
radiation
adjacent
serially
connected
cells
cell
semi-insulating
substrate
lateral
conductivity
layer
doped
electrical
disposed
base
charge
emitter
opposite
forms
p-n
junction
therebetween
plurality
spaced
channels
formed
layers
expose
bottoms
front
contact
grid
positioned
current
collector
outside
edge
engagement
oppositely
finally
interdigitation
mechanism
provided
connecting
oppositely disposed
photovoltaic power
electrical charge
front contact
p-n junction
emitter layer
serially connected
power conversion
top surface
current collector
electrical conductivity
base layer
adjacent cell
conversion device
surface adapted
junction therebetween
insulating substrate
semi-insulating substrate
opposite electrical
base layers
connected cells
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