Concentrated Photovoltaic Cell with Patterned Electrodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional concentrated photovoltaic cells experience reduced power generation efficiency due to uneven light intensity distribution caused by uneven light concentration, leading to higher resistance and lower overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A concentrated photovoltaic cell design featuring a semiconductor stack with an upper surface that absorbs light and an upper electrode pattern corresponding to the light intensity distribution, including high and low light-concentrated areas, optimized with adjustable grid and collector electrode widths and pitches to match the light distribution, reducing light shielding and increasing short-circuit current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional uniform electrode patterns are used, then manufacturing is simple, but power generation efficiency is reduced due to uneven light concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the electrode pattern characteristics (width, pitch, spacing) in different regions of the photovoltaic cell to match the local light intensity distribution. High light-concentrated areas receive different electrode configurations compared to low light-concentrated areas, optimizing each region's electrical performance according to its specific lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the electrode pattern adjustable and adaptable to different light concentration scenarios. The electrode configuration can be modified based on the actual light intensity distribution, allowing the system to optimize its performance dynamically rather than relying on a fixed uniform pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If electrode width is increased to reduce resistance, then electrical conductivity improves, but light shielding increases reducing photoelectric conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidphotoelectric conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by setting different electrode widths for different regions of the photovoltaic cell. In high light-concentrated areas where more current is generated, wider electrodes are used to reduce resistance. In low light-concentrated areas, narrower electrodes are used to minimize light shielding, thus optimizing the balance between conductivity and photoelectric conversion for each specific region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform electrode spacing is used, then manufacturing is easy, but resistance increases due to uneven light distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode fabrication simplicityVSAvoidelectrical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing non-uniform electrode spacing that corresponds to the light intensity distribution. Regions with higher light concentration have different spacing characteristics compared to regions with lower light concentration, ensuring that electrical resistance is optimized locally rather than uniformly across the entire cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If collector electrode width is increased to collect more current, then current collection improves, but active area for light absorption decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent collection efficiencyVSAvoidlight absorption area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the collector electrode width according to the local light concentration. In high light-concentrated areas, wider collector electrodes are used to efficiently collect the higher current density. In low light-concentrated areas, narrower collector electrodes are used to preserve more active area for light absorption, thus optimizing the trade-off between current collection and light absorption for each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 optimized electrode pattern enhances power generation efficiency by reducing resistance and increasing short-circuit current, improving the overall performance of the photovoltaic cell by matching the electrode layout to the light intensity distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the upper surface is operable to absorb a light which comprises a light intensity distribution on the upper surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9537021B2Photovoltaic cell

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 ENNOSTAR CORP

AI summary

A concentrated photovoltaic cell comprises a semiconductor stack comprising an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is operable to absorb a light which comprises a light intensity distribution on the upper surface; and an upper electrode formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor stack and comprising an electrode pattern approximately corresponding to the light intensity distribution, wherein the light intensity distribution comprises a high light-concentrated area having a first light intensity and a low light-concentrated area having a second light intensity, wherein the second light intensity is lower than the first light intensity.