Coated Glass for Photovoltaic Cells with Low Haze
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coated glass articles for photovoltaic cells face challenges in maximizing visible light entry and minimizing electrical resistance, which affects power output.
Innovation Solution
A coated glass article is developed with a glass substrate and multiple coating layers, including a first layer of fluorine doped tin oxide and a second layer of silicon dioxide with phosphorus or boron, optimized to reduce haze and electrical resistance, enhancing light transmission and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coating is deposited on glass substrate to form conductive layer for photovoltaic cell, then electrical resistance is reduced, but visible light transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple layers: a first coating layer (conductive metal oxide like ITO or FTO) and a second coating layer (different material composition). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function - the first layer provides electrical conductivity while the second layer optimizes optical properties for light transmission, resolving the contradiction between electrical performance and optical transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure with at least two different coating materials deposited on the glass substrate. The first coating material provides electrical conductivity, while the second coating material is selected to have complementary optical properties. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of low electrical resistance and high visible light transmission, which cannot be achieved with a single material.
2Reliability
If coating thickness is increased to improve conductivity, then electrical resistance decreases, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single thick coating layer, the patent segments the coating into multiple thinner layers with different material compositions. The first coating layer can be optimized for conductivity at a specific thickness, while the second coating layer compensates for any light transmission loss. This allows achieving low electrical resistance without sacrificing light transmission, thereby maintaining high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter between layers rather than simply increasing thickness. By selecting a second coating material with different optical and electrical properties, the system can tune the overall performance to achieve optimal balance between conductivity and light transmission, avoiding the trade-off that would result from merely thickening a single layer.
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
The coated glass article improves light transmission and reduces electrical resistance, leading to increased power output and reduced losses in photovoltaic cells.
Implementation Method 1
The first coating layer comprises fluorine doped tin oxide
Implementation Method 2
The second coating layer comprises silicon dioxide and at least one of phosphorus and boron
Implementation Method 3
The coated glass article exhibits a haze of 2.0% or less
Data Source
AI summary
A coated glass article includes a glass substrate. A coating is formed on the glass substrate. The coating includes a first coating layer. The first coating layer includes fluorine doped tin oxide. A second coating layer is provided between the glass substrate and the first coating layer. The second coating layer includes silicon dioxide and at least one of phosphorus and boron. The coated glass article exhibits a haze of 2.0% or less.