System and method for thin film photovoltaic modules and back contact for thin solar cells
US10090431B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
Abstract
The present disclosure provides improved thin film photovoltaic devices and related methods of fabrication. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved CdTe photovoltaic devices and related fabrication methods. Disclosed is a novel thin film photovoltaic device and means for its fabrication. An exemplary device includes a metal oxide layer between the absorber layer and the rear electrode, resulting in an ohmic back contact and having improved device stability. The metal oxide layer can include at least one of silver oxide or copper oxide, and may additionally contain nickel oxide, molybdenum oxide, and/or vanadium oxide. The present disclosure is directed towards formation of a ohmic back contact for solar cells, the back contact having improved stability. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides for an ohmic contact to p-type II-VI semiconductors, and to the fabrication of solar cells having improved stability, and to solar panels incorporating such back contact schemes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.