Solar energy system
US5385615A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a photovoltaic module for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The module comprises a substrate having a relatively large first surface and a relatively small second surface. A first photovoltaic cell is mounted to the first surface, the first photovoltaic cell having a first response band. The module is positioned such that the solar energy is incident onto the active area of the first photovoltaic cell. A second photovoltaic cell substantially smaller than the first photovoltaic cell is mounted to the second surface of the substrate. The substrate is formed such that a portion of the solar energy transmitted by the first photovoltaic cell into the substrate is directed onto the active area of the second photovoltaic cell. Because of the smaller area of the second photovoltaic cell, the cost per unit cell area is lower than in conventional tandem cell designs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.