High efficiency solar cells and manufacturing methods
US7786376B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
Abstract
A Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell comprises a flexible substrate and a first array of a plurality of closely-spaced microscale pillars connected to a first electrical cell contact. The pillars and the contact are formed of (or having a top) layer of a first Schottky metal material with a work function selected for efficiently collecting photogenerated electrons. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell further comprises a second array of a plurality of closely-spaced microscale pillars connected to a second electrical cell contact. The pillars and the contact are formed of (or having a top) layer of a second Schottky metal material with a work function selected for efficiently collecting photogenerated holes. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell further comprises a semiconductor absorber thin-film layer covering the first and second contacts and filling spaces among all the pillars, for creating photogenerated electrons and holes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.