All Front Contact Solar Cell Edge Exclusion Zone
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in solar cell configurations is to enhance the packing density and reliability of solar arrays while reducing assembly costs and maintaining the active area of solar cells, particularly in high-power spacecraft applications where increased numbers of cells are required.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an all front contact (AFC) interconnector arrangement, where the P-side contact is disposed within or proximate to the edge exclusion zone of a circular wafer substrate, allowing for electrical coupling of solar cells with minimal loss of active area and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional solar cell configuration with back contact and front grid is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but the back surface electrode occupies valuable area and reduces panel packing ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the P-side contact from the back surface to the front surface of the solar cell, utilizing the front surface dimension that would otherwise be occupied by the N-side grid. This dimensional relocation eliminates the need for back surface electrodes and enables more efficient panel packing while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the all front contact interconnector arrangement
2Productivity
If circular wafers are used to form square or rectangular solar cells, then packing density is improved, but corner edge segments are lost and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by confining the P-side contact to specific regions (corner edge segments) of the solar cell. By placing the P-side contact in these previously wasted corner regions and using an all front contact arrangement, the design transforms previously non-functional areas into useful electrical connection points, eliminating material waste while simplifying the overall manufacturing process
3Power
If more solar cells are arranged on each solar panel to meet higher power demands, then power output increases, but assembly costs and interconnection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the N-side and P-side contact functions onto the same front surface through the all front contact arrangement. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate back surface electrodes and simplifies interconnection requirements, reducing assembly complexity and cost while enabling higher power output through increased cell density on each panel
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration decreases solar array assembly costs, maintains the active area of solar cells, and enables more economical interconnection of solar cells, improving the panel packing ratio and reliability, while avoiding the need for a back surface electrode.
Implementation Method 1
photovoltaic solar cell formed from a circular wafer substrate... an N-side layer proximate to a first planar surface, a P-side layer proximate to a second planar surface... The first planar surface may be a light receiving surface
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic solar cell, including an N-side layer proximate to a first planar surface and a P-side layer proximate to a second planar surface that is opposite to the first planar surface, is formed from a circular wafer substrate. An N-side conductive contact is electrically coupled with the N-side layer, and a P-side conductive contact electrically coupled with the P-side layer. The P-side conductive contact and the N-side conductive contact are each disposed proximate to the first planar surface, the circular wafer substrate includes an edge exclusion zone, and the P-side contact is disposed within or proximate to the edge exclusion zone.