Increased voltage photovoltaic cell

US4524237A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Bernd Ross · San Diego, US
• Donald B. Bickler · Temple City, US
• Brian Gallagher · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 8, 1984
• Grant date: Jun 18, 1985
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/547

Abstract

A photovoltaic cell, such as a solar cell, is provided which has a higher output voltage than prior cells. The improved cell includes a substrate of doped silicon, a first layer of silicon disposed on the substrate and having opposite doping, and a second layer of silicon carbide disposed on the first layer. The silicon carbide preferably has the same type of doping as the first layer.