Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion device having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, a photoelectric conversion device 21 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of lower electrodes 2 on the substrate 1 comprising a metal element, a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers 33 comprising a chalcogen compound semiconductor formed on the plurality of lower electrodes 2 and separated from one another on the lower electrodes 2, a metal-chalcogen compound layer 8 comprising the metal element and a chalcogen element included in the chalcogen compound semiconductor formed between the lower electrode 2 and the photoelectric conversion layer 33, an upper electrode 5 formed on the photoelectric conversion layer 33, and a connection conductor 7 electrically connecting, in a plurality of the photoelectric conversion layers 33, the upper electrode 5 to the lower electrode 2 without interposition of the metal-chalcogen compound layer 8.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion module is disclosed. The photoelectric conversion module includes a photoelectric conversion panel and a moisture barrier plate. The photoelectric conversion panel includes first and second surfaces, a photoelectric converter between the first and second surfaces, and a conductive lead. An opening is located on the first surface. The moisture barrier plate is located on the second surface and includes first and second principal surfaces, and a through-hole extending from the first principal surface to the second principal surface. The moisture barrier plate covers the one principal surface. The through-hole does not overlap the opening. A filling member is located in a gap between the first surface and the first principal surface. The conductive lead goes through a part of the filling member, and has an end electrically coupled to the photoelectric converter and the other end coming out through the opening to the exterior.

Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion device having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, a photoelectric conversion device 21 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of lower electrodes 2 on the substrate 1 comprising a metal element, a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers 33 comprising a chalcogen compound semiconductor formed on the plurality of lower electrodes 2 and separated from one another on the lower electrodes 2, a metal-chalcogen compound layer 8 comprising the metal element and a chalcogen element included in the chalcogen compound semiconductor formed between the lower electrode 2 and the photoelectric conversion layer 33, an upper electrode 5 formed on the photoelectric conversion layer 33, and a connection conductor 7 electrically connecting, in a plurality of the photoelectric conversion layers 33, the upper electrode 5 to the lower electrode 2 without interposition of the metal-chalcogen compound layer 8.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention includes specifying a spot having an abnormal physical property in a structure comprising a photoelectric conversion member, including a semiconductor layer, between a pair of first and second electrodes, and isolating the spot having an abnormal physical property through mechanical scribing.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion cell includes: first and second electrode layers spaced apart from each other; a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type provided on the first electrode layer; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type provided on the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer forming a pn junction with the first semiconductor layer; a connecting portion for electrically connecting the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode layer; and a plurality of collector electrodes each with a linear portion and a projecting portion, the linear portion extending on the second semiconductor layer from a position above the connecting portion toward an end of the second semiconductor layer, the projecting portion overlapping at least partially the connecting portion in top perspective view, while projecting from at least one of opposite ends of the linear portion in its shorter side direction.

Abstract: To provide an easy-to-manufacture, high-quality photovoltaic conversion device and an optical power generator and also to provide a manufacturing method with high production efficiency.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of crystal semiconductor particles 2 of a first conductivity type having a surface layer thereof a semiconductor part 4 of a second conductivity type are bonded at spaced intervals on a surface of a conductive substrate 1, an insulating layer 3 is formed on the conductive substrate 1 extending between the semiconductor particles 2 and 2, a light-transmitting conducting layer 5 is formed on the insulating layer 3 and the crystal semiconductor particles 2, and a collector electrode 7 is formed on a surface of the light-transmitting conducting layer 5. The collector electrode 7 is comprised of a conductor plate with a plurality of through-holes 40 to admit external light into the crystal semiconductor particles 2. The light-transmitting light collection layer 8 is disposed on the light-transmitting conducting layer 5 and the collector electrode 7.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photoelectric conversion device comprising a substrate 1 serving as a lower electrode; first conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor particles 3 deposited on the substrate; second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 formed on the crystalline semiconductor particles 3; an insulator layer 2 formed among the crystalline semiconductor particles; and an upper electrode layer 5 formed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4, wherein the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 each have a smaller thickness at or below an equator of each of the crystalline semiconductor particles than at a zenith region thereof, and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 include an impurity element with a concentration gradient decreasing with proximity to the crystalline semiconductor particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a granular crystal includes steps of melting a crystal to be a molten solution, ejecting a droplet of the molten solution from a nozzle with a three dimensional motion. An apparatus for producing a granular crystal includes a crucible, an actuator, and at least one nozzle. The crucible contains a molten solution of a crystal. The actuator moves at least one nozzle with three-dimensional motion. At least one nozzle ejects a droplet of the molten solution with a three dimensional motion.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a granular silicon crystal by allowing silicon melt in a crucible to be granularly discharged and fallen from a nozzle part composed of silicon carbide or silicon nitride, and cooling and solidifying the granular silicon melt during falling, a carbon source is added when the nozzle part is composed of silicon carbide, and a nitrogen source is added when the nozzle part is composed of silicon nitride, to the silicon melt in the crucible. Thereby, melt droplets of uniform size can be generated, so that granular silicon crystals having narrow variations in particle size can be manufactured at high productivity and superior reproducibility.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a granular silicon crystal by allowing silicon melt in a crucible to be granularly discharged and fallen from a nozzle part composed of silicon carbide or silicon nitride, and cooling and solidifying the granular silicon melt during falling, a carbon source is added when the nozzle part is composed of silicon carbide, and a nitrogen source is added when the nozzle part is composed of silicon nitride, to the silicon melt in the crucible. Thereby, melt droplets of uniform size can be generated, so that granular silicon crystals having narrow variations in particle size can be manufactured at high productivity and superior reproducibility.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of p-type crystal semiconductor particles 4 are joined to one main surface of a conductive substrate 2. A boron concentration in a junction of a lower part of each of the p-type crystal semiconductor particles 4 with the conductive substrate 2 is higher than a boron concentration in a portion, other than the junction, of the p-type crystal semiconductor particle 4. The junction is a p+ layer having a high impurity concentration. The p+ layer allows p-type carriers to be collected, thereby making it possible to improve a BFS effect.

Abstract: A crucible is formed of a cylindrical body member and a disk-shaped nozzle member fitted to the bottom portion of the body member, and the nozzle member is provided with a nozzle hole for discharging out a semiconductor molten solution dropwise therethrough. The semiconductor molten solution drops discharged out of the crucible through the nozzle hole are cooled and solidified during falling to become semiconductor grains. Silicon grains having high crystal quality can be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: To provide an easy-to-manufacture, high-quality photovoltaic conversion device and an optical power generator and also to provide a manufacturing method with high production efficiency.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device has a structure in which a plurality of crystalline semiconductor particles (3) of one conductivity type each of which has a semiconductor portion (4) of the opposite conductivity type on its surface are joined to a substrate 1 serving as a lower electrode. The substrate (1) and the semiconductor portion (4) are disposed in a state of being separated by a separation portion (6). An insulator (2) is formed between the adjoining crystalline semiconductor particles (3) so as to cover the surface of the substrate (1) and the lower part of the semiconductor portion (4) and so as to expose the upper part of the semiconductor portion (4). An upper electrode (5) is formed so as to cover the insulator (2) and the upper part of the semiconductor portion (4). A short circuit between the upper electrode (5) and the substrate (1) serving as a lower electrode which is caused by the semiconductor portion (4) can be prevented by providing the separation portion (6).

Abstract: A photovoltaic conversion device has a substrate 1 as a lower electrode having a first region 31 and a second region 32 adjacent to the first region, a lot of semiconductor particles 20 joined to the first region 31, an insulator 4 formed between the semiconductor particles 20 on the substrate 1 in the first region 31 and on the substrate 1 in the second region 32, a transparent conductive layer 5 as an upper electrode formed so as to cover the upper part of the semiconductor particles 20 in the first region 31 and the insulator 4 in the first region 31, and a collecting electrode formed of a finger electrode 15 arranged on the transparent conductive layer 5 in the first region 31 and a bus bar electrode 16 which is arranged in the second region 32 and connected to the finger electrode 15.

Abstract: A photo-electric conversion array is formed by connecting photo-electric conversion cells in series. Each photo-electric conversion cell includes: a substrate, at least one main surface of which is made of a conductor layer; plural crystalline semiconductor particles provided on the conductor surface of the substrate; an insulation layer filled in clearances among the crystalline semiconductor particles; a transparent electric conducting layer provided above the plural crystalline semiconductor particles; a collector electrode, formed on the transparent electric conducting layer, to collect electricity from the transparent electric conducting layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photoelectric conversion device which is manufactured by depositing numerous crystalline semiconductor particles of one conductivity type on a substrate having an electrode of one side to join the crystalline semiconductor particles to the substrate, interposing an insulator among the crystalline semiconductor particles, forming a semiconductor layer of the opposite conductivity type over the crystalline semiconductor particles, and connecting an electrode to the semiconductor layer of the opposite conductivity type, in which the insulator comprises a mixture or reaction product of polysiloxane and polycarbosilane. The insulator interposed among the crystalline semiconductor particles is free from defects such as cracking and peeling, so that a low cost photoelectric conversion device with high reliability can be provided.

Abstract: A crucible is formed of a cylindrical body member and a disk-shaped nozzle member fitted to the bottom portion of the body member, and the nozzle member is provided with a nozzle hole for discharging out a semiconductor molten solution dropwise therethrough. The semiconductor molten solution drops discharged out of the crucible through the nozzle hole are cooled and solidified during falling to become semiconductor grains. Silicon grains having high crystal quality can be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion device having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, a photoelectric conversion device 21 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of lower electrodes 2 on the substrate 1 comprising a metal element, a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers 33 comprising a chalcogen compound semiconductor formed on the plurality of lower electrodes 2 and separated from one another on the lower electrodes 2, a metal-chalcogen compound layer 8 comprising the metal element and a chalcogen element included in the chalcogen compound semiconductor formed between the lower electrode 2 and the photoelectric conversion layer 33, an upper electrode 5 formed on the photoelectric conversion layer 33, and a connection conductor 7 electrically connecting, in a plurality of the photoelectric conversion layers 33, the upper electrode 5 to the lower electrode 2 without interposition of the metal-chalcogen compound layer 8.