Monolithic integration of non-planar solar cells

Abstract

A solar cell unit comprising a substrate and a plurality of photovoltaic cells is provided. The substrate has a first end and a second end. The plurality of photovoltaic cells, which are linearly arranged on the substrate, comprises a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell. Each photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises (i) a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the substrate, (ii) a semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and, (iii) a transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent conductive layer of the first photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells is in serial electrical communication with the back-electrode of the second photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11 / 378,835 filed Mar. 18, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to solar cell assemblies for converting solar energy into electrical energy and more particularly to improved solar cell assemblies.2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Solar cells are typically fabricated as separate physical entities with light gathering surface areas on the order of 4-6 cm2 or larger. For this reason, it is standard practice for power generating applications to mount the cells in a flat array on a supporting substrate or panel so that their light gathering surfaces provide an approximation of a single large light gathering surface. Also, since each cell itself generates only a small amount of power, the required voltage and / or current is realized by interconnecting the cells of the array in a series and / or parallel matrix...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a solar cell unit comprising a substrate and a plurality of photovoltaic cells. The substrate has a first end and a second end. The plurality of photovoltaic cells includes a first terminal photovoltaic cell and a second terminal photovoltaic cell. The first and second photovoltaic cells have a back-electrode, a semiconductor junction layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer of each photovoltaic cell is in serial electrical communication with the back-electrode of an adjacent photovoltaic cell. The substrate can be made of plastic, metal, or glass. The invention provides a solar cell unit with improved efficiency and durability."

Problems solved by technology

However, even when a TCO layer is present, a bus bar network 114 is typically needed in conventional solar cells to draw off current since the TCO has too much resistance to efficiently perform this function in larger solar cells.

Although such cells are highly efficient when they are smaller, larger planar solar cells have reduced efficiency because it is harder to make the semiconductor films that form the junction in such solar cells uniform.

Furthermore, the occurrence of pinholes and similar flaws increase in larger planar solar cells.

These features can cause shunts across the junction.

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