Reinforcing structures for thin-film photovoltaic device substrates, and associated methods
US8207442B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/541
Abstract
In an embodiment, one reinforced substrate for use in a photovoltaic device includes a polymer base material and a reinforcing structure bonded with the base material. The reinforced substrate presents a surface in a condition that is made-ready for deposition of thin film layers of the photovoltaic device. A thin film photovoltaic device includes the reinforced substrate, a back contact layer formed on the surface of the reinforced substrate, and a solar absorber layer formed on the back contact layer. A plurality of thin film photovoltaic devices may be formed on a common reinforced substrate. A process of producing a reinforced substrate includes combining a fluid base material and a fiber reinforcing structure to form an impregnated fiber reinforcement. The impregnated fiber reinforcement is cured to form the reinforced substrate, and the reinforced substrate is annealed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.