Abstract: A method of hybrid stacked Flip chip for a solar cell onto which semiconductor layers of different materials are stacked in the Flip chip technology to solve the problem of lattices mismatch between the layers for further increase of the efficiency of solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same. The solar cell apparatus includes a substrate including a cell region and an outer peripheral region surrounding the cell region, a cell in the cell region, and a connection electrode connected to the cell and provided in the outer peripheral region. The cell includes a back electrode on the substrate, a light absorbing part on the back electrode, and a front electrode on the light absorbing part. The connection electrode extends from the back electrode.

Abstract: A method for producing a continuous film of at least one solar cell module comprises the steps of depositing (8) a material forming a release layer onto a surrogate substrate in the form of a belt (1) being moved in a continuous loop, depositing (12, 14, 17) layers forming a solar cell film onto said release layer, applying (25) a first protective plastic layer onto the solar cell film, separating (31) a film including at least said solar cell film and said plastic layer attached thereto from said belt, and applying (35) a second protective plastic layer on the side of said film separated opposite to said first protective plastic layer.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods of manufacturing the solar cells are provided. The solar cell may be formed on a substrate having a plurality of concave portions. A plurality of nanostructures may be formed on a surface of the substrate, in which the plurality of concave portions are formed. A photoactive layer may be formed to cover the plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures may include an inorganic material, and the photoactive layer may include an organic material.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a cadmium sulfide based buffer on a copper chalcogenide based absorber in making a photovoltaic cell. The buffer is sputtered in two steps the first being at low rates or relatively high pressures and the second at high rates or relatively low pressures. The resulting cell has good efficiency and according to one embodiment is characterized by a narrow interface between the absorber and buffer layers. The buffer is further characterized according to a second embodiment by a relatively high oxygen content.

Abstract: A multi junction solar cell is provided and includes multiple semiconducting layers and an interface layer disposed between the multiple semiconducting layers. The interface layer is made from an interface bonding material that has a refractive index such that a ratio of a refractive index of each of the multiple semiconducting layers to the refractive index of the interface bonding material is less than or equal to 1.5.

Abstract: Device structures, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for photovoltaic cells that may be a single-junction or multijunction solar cells, with at least a first layer comprising a group-IV semiconductor in which part of the cell comprises a second layer comprising a III-V semiconductor or group-IV semiconductor having a different composition than the group-IV semiconductor of the first layer, such that a heterostructure is formed between the first and second layers.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include a doped germanium-containing substrate, an emitter contact coupled to the substrate on a first side and a back contact coupled to the substrate on a side opposite the first side. The emitter includes at least one doped layer of an opposite conductivity type as that of the substrate and the back contact includes at least one doped layer of the same conductivity type as that of the substrate. The at least one doped layer of the emitter contact or the at least one doped layer of the back contact is in direct contact with the substrate, and the at least one doped layer of the emitter contact or the back contact includes an n-type material having an electron affinity smaller than that of the substrate, or a p-type material having a hole affinity larger than that of the substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided which includes a plurality of junction layers. Each junction layer includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected to one another. At least one of the junction layers is at least in part optically transmissive. The junction layers are arranged in a stack on top of each other.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell device includes a substrate having a first lattice constant, a first optoelectronic conversion layer having a second lattice constant, and a second optoelectronic conversion layer having a third lattice constant wherein the value of the first lattice constant is between that of the second lattice constant and the third lattice constant.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a first cell including a photoelectric conversion layer, a second cell over the first cell including a photoelectric conversion layer formed of a material having a wider band gap than that of the first cell, first and second electrodes under a surface of the first cell which is opposite to the second cell, and a third electrode over a surface of the second cell which is opposite to the first cell. The first and second cells each include a p-n or p-i-n junction, the first and second cells are in contact with each other and a p-n junction is formed in a contact portion therebetween, the first cell is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes to form a back contact structure, and the second cell is electrically connected to the third electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar cell, the solar cell includes a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the substrate and separated into a plurality of first separation grooves, a buffer layer and an optical active layer formed on the first electrode and having a through groove exposing the first electrode adjacent thereto, and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the optical active layer, separated into a plurality of second separation grooves, and electrically connected to the first electrode through the through groove, wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is divided by a plurality of third separation groove formed in a direction intersecting with the first separation groove, the through groove, and the second separation groove.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element is provided and includes: an electrically conductive thin layer; an organic photoelectric conversion layer; and a transparent electrically conductive thin layer. The organic photoelectric conversion layer contains: a compound represented by formula (I); and a fullerene or a fullerene derivative. Formula (I): In the formula, Z1 represents an atomic group necessary for forming a 5- or 6-membered ring, L1, L2 and L3 each independently represents an unsubstituted methine group or a substituted methine group, D1 represents an atomic group, and n represents an integer of 0 or more.

Abstract: An organic photoelectric conversion material for a photoelectric conversion element is provided, the organic photoelectric conversion material represented by formula 1 and having a molecular weight of 250 or greater but not greater than 800: wherein, A represents an electron withdrawing atomic group; R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; L represents a divalent ? conjugated substituent; D represents an electron donating aromatic substituent; and X represents O, S, or N—Ra in which Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

Abstract: This solar cell module is provided with a plurality of solar cells, a first protective member, a second protective member, a filler, and a wiring material. The solar cells have a photoelectric conversion part, transparent conductive layers formed on a principal surface of the photoelectric conversion part, and plated electrodes of silver or copper, formed directly on the transparent conductive layers.

Abstract: A solar cell according to an embodiment includes a pattern layer arranged on a substrate and including a uneven pattern; a back electrode arranged on the pattern layer; a light absorption layer arranged on the back electrode; a buffer layer on the light absorption layer; and a front layer arranged on the buffer layer. The method fabricating a solar cell according to an embodiment includes forming a pattern layer including a uneven pattern on a substrate; forming a back electrode on the pattern layer; forming a light absorption layer on the back electrode; forming a buffer layer on the light absorption layer; and forming a front electrode on the buffer layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-junction solar cell device comprising the steps of: providing a final base substrate; providing a first engineered substrate comprising a first zipper layer and a first seed layer; providing a second substrate; transferring the first seed layer to the final base substrate; forming at least one first solar cell layer on the first seed layer after transferring the first seed layer to the final base substrate, thereby obtaining a first wafer structure; forming at least one second solar cell layer on the second substrate, thereby obtaining a second wafer structure; and bonding the first and the second wafer structure to each other.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes one or more structures, an array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes, at least one groove, and at least one conductor. Each of the structures comprises an intrinsic layer on one of an n type layer and a p type layer and the other one of the n type layer and the p type layer on the intrinsic layer. The array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes is located in the intrinsic layer in at least one of the structures. The groove extends into at least one of the structures and the conductor is located along at least a portion of the groove.

Abstract: Conductive layer(s) in a thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) panel are divided by first scribe curves into photovoltaic cells connected in series. At least one of the layers is scribed to isolate a shunt defect in a cell from parts of that cell away from the defect. The isolation scribes can substantially follow or parallel current-flow lines established by the design of the panel. A TFPV panel can be altered by, using a controller, automatically locating a shunt defect and scribing at least one of the conductive layers along two spaced-apart second scribe curves. Each second scribe curve can intersect the two first scribe curves that bound the cell with the defect. The two second scribe curves can be on opposite sides of the defect.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate and a photovoltaic power module incorporating the semiconductor substrate. The substrate includes one or more bypass diodes formed integrally in the semiconductor substrate, each bypass diode corresponding to a respective one or more photovoltaic cells, and metallised zones being electrically and thermally coupled to the bypass diodes. The substrate enables photovoltaic cells to be placed close together, and has low thermal resistance. Methods of manufacturing the substrate and module are provided.

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell includes a substrate, a back surface electrode layer, a light-absorbing layer, and a transparent electrode layer, layered on the substrate, in this order. The layers are divided into multiple unit cells by a scribed groove, and the cells serially connected. At an inside of an end side of the solar cell perpendicular to the scribed groove, a groove is formed perpendicular to the scribed groove and has the back surface electrode is removed therefrom. The thin-film solar cell is produced by emitting a laser beam on the solar cell element of an end part of a side perpendicular to the scribed groove so as to form a new end surface by removing the back surface electrode layer, the light-absorbing layer and the transparent electrode layer, and mechanically forming the perpendicular groove perpendicular to the scribed groove, at inside of the new end surface.

Abstract: A flexible display device manufacturing method includes preparing a substrate assembly in which a flexible substrate is formed on a carrier substrate; piling up a plurality of the prepared substrate assemblies in a heating furnace in multi-stages; performing heat treatment by providing hot blast onto each of the piled substrate assemblies in a horizontal direction; forming a display unit on the flexible substrate of the heat-treated substrate assembly; and separating the flexible substrate and the carrier substrate from each other. According to the above-described manufacturing method, since warpage of a flexible substrate after a carrier substrate and the flexible substrate are separated from each other may be suppressed, a subsequent process may be appropriately performed, productivity may be improved, and damage of products caused while the flexible substrate is handled may be reduced.

Abstract: An integrated thin-film solar battery is disclosed. The integrated thin film solar battery includes a plurality of series connected solar cell strings with one or more power collecting electrodes electrically joined to the string. The thin-film photoelectric conversion elements have a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer sandwiching a photoelectric conversion layer. The string has an element separating groove and the first electrode layer has an extending section having one end that crosses the element separating groove and extends to a region of an adjacent element. At least a portion of the first electrode layer just below the power collecting electrodes and another portion of the first electrode layer are insulated and separated from each other by at least one of an electrode separating line and an insulating line.

Abstract: Photovoltaic sub-cell interconnect systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device comprises a thin film stack of layers deposited upon a substrate, wherein the thin film stack layers are subdivided into a plurality of sub-cells interconnected in series by a plurality of electrical interconnection structures; and wherein the plurality of electrical interconnection structures each comprise no more than two scribes that penetrate into the thin film stack layers.

Abstract: A method of patterning organic semiconductor layers is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for forming a patterned organic semiconductor layer on a substrate includes providing a plurality of first electrodes on a substrate. The method additionally includes providing a patterned self-assembling monolayer at predetermined locations on each of the plurality of first electrodes. The method further includes providing a layer comprising an organic semiconductor material over the patterned self-assembling monolayer. A corresponding device and a photovoltaic module comprising such a device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thin-film solar module contacted on one side includes a support layer, a photoactive absorber layer and at least one dopant layer deposited over a surface area of at least one side of the absorber layer so as to form a thin-film packet that is divided into thin-film solar cell areas by insulating separating trenches. The thin-film solar module includes first and second contact systems. The first contact system includes contacts connected by an outer contact layer. The second contact system consists of an inner contact layer covering a side of the solar cell areas that face away from the support layer so as to separately discharge excess charge carriers generated by incident light in the absorber layer. The second contact system includes structures that surround and electrically insulate the contacts, which extend through the inner contact layer from the outer contact layer.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a monolithically isled solar cell is provided. The solar cell comprises a semiconductor layer having a light receiving frontside and a backside opposite the frontside and attached to an electrically insulating backplane. A trench isolation pattern partitions the semiconductor layer into electrically isolated isles on the electrically insulating backplane. A first metal layer having base and emitter electrodes is positioned on the semiconductor layer backside. A patterned second metal layer providing cell interconnection and connected to the first metal layer by via plugs is positioned on the backplane.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a back side surface field of a solar cell without utilizing screen printing. The method includes first forming a p-type dopant layer directly on the back side surface of the semiconductor substrate that includes a p/n junction utilizing an electrodeposition method. The p/n junction is defined as the interface that is formed between an n-type semiconductor portion of the substrate and an underlying p-type semiconductor portion of the substrate. The plated structure is then annealed to from a P++ back side surface field layer directly on the back side surface of the semiconductor substrate. Optionally, a metallic film can be electrodeposited on an exposed surface of the P++ back side surface layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided which includes a plurality of junction layers. Each junction layer includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected to one another. At least one of the junction layers is at least in part optically transmissive. The junction layers are arranged in a stack on top of each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing see-through thin film solar cells includes the steps of: placing a patterned photo mask above a first substrate which has a photoelectric conversion film formed on the surface thereof; and ablating the photoelectric conversion film via a laser beam passing through the patterned photo mask to form at least one hollow-out zone with different transmittance. By incorporating the laser beam with the photo mask in the manufacturing process, the problem of shortened laser lifespan caused by frequent switching of the laser for ablating patterns that occurs to the conventional technique can be resolved. Through controlling the thickness of the patterned photo mask, grey scale patterns can be displayed and resolution thereof can also be increased, thereby improve the added value of the thin film solar cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes lateral P-I-N light-sensitive diodes disposed on a silicon island formed by a P? epitaxial layer and surrounded by trenches that provide lateral isolation, where the island is separated from the substrate by a porous silicon region that is grown under the island and isolates the lower portions of the photovoltaic device from the highly doped substrate. The trenches extend through the P? epitaxial material into the P+ substrate to facilitate self-limiting porous silicon formation at the bottom of the island, and also to suppress electron-hole recombination. A protective layer (e.g., SiN) is formed on the trench walls to further restrict porous silicon formation to the bottom of the island. Black silicon on the trench walls enhances light capture. The photovoltaic devices form low-cost embedded photovoltaic arrays on CMOS IC devices, or are separated to produce low-cost, HV solar arrays for solar energy sources, e.g. for solar concentrators.

Abstract: A three-dimensional thin film solar cell (3-D TFSC) substrate having enhanced mechanical strength, light trapping, and metal modulation coverage properties. The substrate includes a plurality of unit cells, which may or may not be different. Unit cells are defined as a small self-contained geometrical pattern which may be repeated. Each unit cell structure includes a wall enclosing a trench. Further, the unit cell includes an aperture having an aperture diameter. A pre-determined variation in wall thickness, wall height, and aperture diameter among unit cells across the substrate produces specific advantages.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes one or more structures, an array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes, at least one groove, and at least one conductor. Each of the structures comprises an intrinsic layer on one of an n type layer and a p type layer and the other one of the n type layer and the p type layer on the intrinsic layer. The array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes is located in the intrinsic layer in at least one of the structures. The groove extends into at least one of the structures and the conductor is located along at least a portion of the groove.

Abstract: In an example, a solar energy system includes multiple PV modules, multiple reflectors, and a racking assembly. Each of the reflectors is positioned opposite a corresponding one of the PV modules. The racking assembly mechanically interconnects the PV modules and the reflectors to form an interconnected system. The racking assembly defines gaps within the racking assembly and between adjacent PV modules and reflectors. The interconnected system includes multiple contact points associated with the gaps. The gaps and contact points configure the interconnected system to accommodate surface unevenness of an installation surface up to a predetermined surface unevenness.

Abstract: Provided are solar cells, photovoltaics and related methods for making solar cells, wherein the solar cell is made of ultrathin solar grade or low quality silicon. In an aspect, the invention is a method of making a solar cell by providing a solar cell substrate having a receiving surface and assembling a printable semiconductor element on the receiving surface of the substrate via contact printing. The semiconductor element has a thickness that is less than or equal to 100 ?m and, for example, is made from low grade Si.

Abstract: Voltage-matched thin film multijunction solar cell and methods of producing cells having upper CdTe pn junction layers formed on a transparent substrate which in the completed device is operatively positioned in a superstate configuration. The solar cell also includes a lower pn junction formed independently of the CdTe pn junction and an insulating layer between CdTe and lower pn junctions. The voltage-matched thin film multijunction solar cells further include a parallel connection between the CdTe pn junction and lower pn junctions to form a two-terminal photonic device. Methods of fabricating devices from independently produced upper CdTe junction layers and lower junction layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic a substrate having a plurality of individual serially connected solar cells defined thereon. A bus tape is applied along respective ones of said cells at generally opposite longitudinal ends of the substrate for collecting the charge generated by the plurality of solar cells. A conductive member is interconnected between the bus tapes and is disposed beneath the bus tapes and in direct conductive contact with the respective cells. A junction box is configured for delivering the generated charge to an external load or other component, with the conductive member connected to the junction box.

Abstract: Low bandgap, monolithic, multi-bandgap, optoelectronic devices (10), including PV converters, photodetectors, and LED's, have lattice-matched (LM), double-heterostructure (DH), low-bandgap GaInAs(P) subcells (22, 24) including those that are lattice-mismatched (LMM) to InP, grown on an InP substrate (26) by use of at least one graded lattice constant transition layer (20) of InAsP positioned somewhere between the InP substrate (26) and the LMM subcell(s) (22, 24). These devices are monofacial (10) or bifacial (80) and include monolithic, integrated, modules (MIMs) (190) with a plurality of voltage-matched subcell circuits (262, 264, 266, 270, 272) as well as other variations and embodiments.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device with integrated photovoltaic cells includes supporting a semiconductor substrate on a first handle substrate and doping the semiconductor substrate to form doped alternating regions with opposite conductivity. A doped layer is formed over a first side the semiconductor substrate. A conductive material is patterned over the doped layer to form conductive islands such that the conductive islands are aligned with the alternating regions to define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series on a monolithic structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a metal layer on the surface of a photovoltaic cell by forming a first layer of a first composition on the surface of a silicon substrate and then forming a second layer of a second composition on the first layer, wherein both layers are in electrical contact with each other, the first composition comprises particles comprising or consisting of (i) B, Al, Ga, In, and/or Tl or (ii) P, As, Sb, and/or Bi, the second composition comprises metal particles, and wherein the particles of the first layer have a mean diameter smaller than the mean diameter of the metal particles of the second composition. Further, the present invention also relates to photovoltaic cells and solar modules obtainable using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a photovoltaic power converter that includes a plurality of spatially separated device segments supported by a substrate, wherein the device segments are arranged in a circular pattern wherein a first group of the device segments consisting of one or more of the device segments is centrally positioned and is surrounded by a second group of the device segments comprising at least two device segments and wherein two or more of the plurality of the device segments are connected in series for developing a voltage when radiation of selected wavelengths is incident on the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a stacked-layered thin film solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof. The stacked-layered thin film solar cell includes plural unit cells connected together electrically, each including a substrate, a first electrode layer, a first photoconductive layer, an interlayer, a second photoconductive layer and a second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer is divided by plural first grooves; plural second grooves are formed through the second photoconductive layer, the interlayer, and the first photoconductive layer; and plural third grooves are formed in the second electrode layer and extended downward through the first photoconductive layer. The first, second and third grooves are offset with respect to one another.

Abstract: A process of forming an array of monolithically integrated thin film photovoltaic cells from a stack of thin film layers formed on an insulating substrate includes forming at least one cell isolation scribe in the stack of thin film layers. A second electrical contact layer isolation scribe is formed for each cell isolation scribe adjacent to a respective cell isolation scribe. A via scribe is formed in the stack of thin film layers between each cell isolation scribe and its respective second electrical contact layer isolation scribe. Insulating ink is disposed in each cell isolation scribe, and conductive ink is disposed in each via scribe to form a via. Conductive ink is also disposed along the top surface of the stack of thin film layers to form at least one conductive grid.

Abstract: A see-through type solar battery module includes optically transparent first and second substrates and a plurality of annular clusters. Each cluster includes: a plurality of spherical solar cells; a conductive layer to which first electrodes of the plurality of solar cells are electrically connected in parallel; a conductive member to which second electrodes of the plurality of solar cells are electrically connected in parallel; a bypass diode connected to the conductive layer and the conductive member; and a conductive connection member that electrically connects the conductive layer to conductive member of the cluster that is adjacent in a predetermined direction. By providing the clusters in a snowflake configuration, or in a single rectilinear pattern, the scope is enlarged for selecting the ratio between sunlight transmission ratio and electrical generation capability, so that enhanced freedom of design for use as a window material is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a method for fabricating the same. The solar cell according to the present invention comprises a substrate including a plurality of unit cell regions and a plurality of wiring regions positioned between the unit cell regions; a first semiconductor layer being formed on any one unit cell area of the plurality of unit cell regions; a partition layer being formed on the first semiconductor layer and partitioning a region on the first semiconductor layer into first and second regions; a separation layer being formed on any one wiring region of the plurality of wiring regions; a first electrode layer being formed on the first region of the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer being formed on the second region of the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode layer being formed on the second semiconductor layer; and an electrode connection layer being connected to one end of the second electrode layer as the same layer and being formed on the separation layer.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a photovoltaic cell module including a plurality of photovoltaic cell structures including a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer which are disposed on a common photoelectric conversion layer so that electromotive force polarities are alternately different, wherein the photovoltaic cell structures are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly includes a flexible photovoltaic module, a flexible back barrier layer, and electrically conductive first and second flexible bus bars. The photovoltaic module includes opposing front and back outer surfaces and first and second electrical contacts on the front outer surface. The photovoltaic module is adapted to generate an electrical potential difference between the first and second electrical contacts in response to light incident on the front outer surface. The flexible back barrier layer is disposed on the back outer surface of the photovoltaic module. The electrically conductive first and second flexible bus bars are electrically coupled to the first and second electrical contacts, respectively, and the first and second flexible bus bars wrap around the flexible photovoltaic module and extend through the back barrier layer.

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: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device. The method comprising: forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a first unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer on the first electrode; forming an intermediate reflector on the first unit cell, and the intermediate reflector comprising a plurality of sub-layers stacked alternately by changing a flow rate of non-silicon based source gas; forming a second unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer on the intermediate reflector; and forming a second electrode on the second unit cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic module with bypass diodes that has a high electricity generating capacity per unit area and high productivity. This photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic cell assembly in which a plurality of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in series, and a diode assembly in which a plurality of diodes are formed on a substrate in the arrangement that is consistent with the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells to which the diodes are to be attached. The diode assembly is disposed on a non-light receiving side of the photovoltaic cells, and the diodes are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cell assembly and the diode assembly are sealed and united by a sealant.