Silicon thin-film, integrated solar cell, module, and methods of manufacturing the same
US6211455A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24058
Abstract
A polycrystalline film of silicon including silicon grains having an aspect ratio, d/t, of more than 1:1, wherein "d" is the grain diameter and "t" is the grain thickness. The polycrystalline film of silicon can be used to form an electronic device, such as a monolithically integrated solar cell having ohmic contacts formed on opposed surfaces or on the same surface of the film. A plurality of solar cells can be monolithically integrated to provide a solar cell module that includes an electrically insulating substrate and at least two solar cells disposed on the substrate in physical isolation from one another. Methods for manufacturing the film, solar cell and solar cell module are also disclosed. The simplified structure and method allow for substantial cost reduction on a mass-production scale, at least in part due to the high aspect ratio silicon grains in the film.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.