Solar cell

US9627557B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. · JP

Inventors

• Mamoru Arimoto · Osaka, JP
• Yasuko Hirayama · Kobe, JP
• Takahiro Mishima · Tokyo, JP
• Kazunori Fujita · Gifu, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 23, 2013
• Grant date: Apr 18, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 23, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/547

Abstract

The solar cell (1) of the present invention is provided with an n-side electrode (14), a p-side electrode (15), and a photoelectric conversion unit (20) having a first main surface (20a) and a second main surface (20b). The first main surface (20a) includes an n-type surface (20an) and a p-type surface (20ap). The photoelectric conversion unit (20) has a semiconductor substrate (10) and a semiconductor layer (12n). The semiconductor substrate (10) has first and second main surfaces (10b, 10a). The semiconductor layer (12n) is arranged on a portion of the first main surface (10b). The semiconductor layer (12n) constitutes either the n-type surface (20an) or the p-type surface (20ap). The semiconductor layer (12n) includes a relatively thick portion (12n1) and a relative thin portion (12n2). The n-side electrode (14) or the p-side electrode (15) is arranged on at least the relatively thin portion (12n2) of the semiconductor layer (12n). The solar cell of the present invention, by means of the aforementioned configuration, is able to extend the lifetime of the minor carriers by means of the relatively thick portion (12n1), to maintain low resistance between the semiconductor substrate…