Hybrid tandem solar cells with improved tunnel junction structures

US9899556B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation · US

Inventors

• Zhenqiang Ma · Shanghai, CN
• Kanglin Xiong · Longbeilingcun, CN
• Hongyi Mi · Madison, US
• Tzu-Hsuan Chang · Madison, US
• Shaoqin Gong · Middleton, US
• Jung-Hun Seo · Seojong-myeon, KR

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2018
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50

Abstract

Tandem solar cells comprising two or more solar cells connected in a solar cell stack via pn diode tunnel junctions and methods for fabricating the tandem solar cells using epitaxial lift off and transfer printing are provided. The tandem solar cells have improved tunnel junction structures comprising a current tunneling layer integrated between the p and n layers of the pn diode tunnel junction that connects the solar cells.