Patent · US Active

Methods and systems for characterizing photovoltaic cell and module performance at various stages in the manufacturing process

US9537444B2 · kind B2 · utility

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42Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2014
Grant dateJan 3, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of quantum efficiency (QE) photovoltaic measurement is provided that includes coupling measurement electronics to a p-n junction of a Cell Under Test (CUT) that are capable of measuring a pulsed DC photocurrent. The measurement electronics output a response by the CUT to turning on and turning off the pulsed DC photocurrent that are digitized and analyzed for the magnitude that is representative of a conversion efficiency of the CUT to a wavelength of the DC photocurrent, where a measured decay time represents the p-n junction or the minority carrier lifetime. The CUT is exposed to the pulsed DC photocurrent, where signatures of the response to turning off and on to the pulsed DC photocurrent overlap, where a combined amplitude of the response is proportional to an efficiency of a production of photocarriers, where a value of a spectral response at a wavelength is determined.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.