Photovoltaic device having increased absorption efficiency

US4126150A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• RCA Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alan E. Bell · Plainsboro, US
• Brown F. Williams · Princeton, US
• David E. Carlson · Yardley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 1977
• Grant date: Nov 21, 1978
• Expiry date: Nov 3, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50

Abstract

A photovoltaic device has a body which includes a thin film active region and a layer substantially transparent to solar radiation. The thickness of the transparent layer is such that a first antireflection condition is present for solar radiation at a wavelength which is relatively highly absorbed by the material of the active region. Furthermore, the combined thickness of the transparent layer and active region are such that a second antireflection condition is present for solar radiation at a wavelength which is poorly absorbed by the material of the active region. As a result of the prevailing antireflection conditions the solar radiation absorption efficiency of the photovoltaic device is increased.