GaAs on GaSb mechanically stacked photovoltaic cells, package assembly, and modules

US4776893A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Chevron Research Company · US

Inventors

• Paul Stephen McLeod · Berkeley, US
• John A. Cape · San Rafael, US
• Lewis M. Fraas · Malibu, US
• Larry Partain · Los Altos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 1986
• Grant date: Oct 11, 1988
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2006

Classification

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

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus of mechanically stacked photovoltaic cells having two cells. The bottom cell has a layer of GaSb having regions of different conductivity forming a homojunction therein. The GaSb layer is sandwiched between a conductive substrate and a bottom passivating layer. In the bottom cell is a means for forming electrical contacts to the substrate and the incident surface of the bottom passivating layer. The top cell has a layer of GaAs having regions of different conductivity forming a homojunction therein, a top passivating layer contacting the surface of the layer of GaAs which is incident to solar radiation, and a means for forming electrical contacts to the layer of GaAs opposed to solar radiation and the incident surface of the passivating layer.