Transparent photovoltaic module

US4663495A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Atlantic Richfield Company · US

Inventors

• Elliot Berman · Los Angeles, US
• Charles Gay · San Fernando, US
• Stephen C. Miller · Austin, US
• David Tanner · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 1985
• Grant date: May 5, 1987
• Expiry date: Jun 4, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/52

Abstract

A thin film photovoltaic module has transparent electrodes on front and back surfaces of a semiconductive layer. In one embodiment, both transparent electrodes pass light to the semiconductive layer for photovoltaic purposes. In another embodiment, the back electrode passes light which enters through the front electrode and is not absorbed by the semiconductive layer, so that the module is selectively transparent to the unabsorbed light. The spectral makeup of the transmitted light is controlled by controlling the optical characteristics of the layers of the module. The index of refraction of the back electrode is a primary source of transmission control, along with the refractive index of the front electrode and the thickness of the semiconductive layer itself. Light transmitted by the module can be used for nonphotovoltaic purposes, such as illuminating the interior of a vehicle or dwelling, or may be directed back into the semiconductive layer by a reflective surface behind the back electrode.