Photovoltaic device with increased light trapping

US8895847B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALTA DEVICES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Isik C. Kizilyalli · San Francisco, US
• Melissa Archer · Mountain View, US
• Harry A. Atwater · South Pasadena, US
• Thomas J. Gmitter · Lakewood, US
• Gang He · Magnolia Trace, CA
• Andreas Hegedus · Burlingame, US
• Gregg Higashi · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 5, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 25, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 21, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/544

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) device may incorporate front side and/or back side light trapping techniques in an effort to absorb as many of the photons incident on the front side of the PV device as possible in the absorber layer. The light trapping techniques may include a front side antireflective coating, multiple window layers, roughening or texturing on the front and/or the back sides, a back side diffuser for scattering the light, and/or a back side reflector for redirecting the light into the interior of the PV device. With such light trapping techniques, more light may be absorbed by the absorber layer for a given amount of incident light, thereby increasing the efficiency of the PV device.