Thin Film Tandem Photovoltaic Cell Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar cells, particularly those using crystalline and thin film technologies, face limitations such as high costs, low energy conversion efficiencies, and poor reliability, making them unsuitable for widespread adoption as a clean and renewable energy source.
Innovation Solution
A method and structure for forming a thin film tandem photovoltaic cell using copper indium disulfide species, which includes a bifacial top cell and a bottom cell with specific transparent conductive oxide and absorber materials, along with a coupling material to prevent parasitic junctions, allowing for improved energy conversion efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystalline materials are used to fabricate photovoltaic devices, then the devices can convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical power, but the materials are costly and difficult to make on a large scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from crystalline to thin film semiconductor materials, altering the physical state and structure to achieve both manufacturability and functional performance. This parameter change enables large-scale production while maintaining photovoltaic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite thin film structures comprising multiple layers including n-type semiconductor layer, p-type semiconductor layer, and transparent conductive oxide layers. These composite materials provide both the necessary electrical properties for photovoltaic conversion and the structural characteristics for scalable manufacturing.
2Ease of manufacture
If thin film technology is used to form photosensitive material, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the energy conversion efficiency is poor and film reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film photovoltaic device is segmented into multiple functional layers including n-type semiconductor layer, p-type semiconductor layer, transparent conductive oxide layers, and buffer layers. Each layer is optimized for specific functions, allowing the simple thin film manufacturing process to achieve reliable and efficient energy conversion through proper structural division.
3Ease of manufacture
If thin film solar cells are manufactured, then cost reduction is achieved, but the films are difficult to mechanically integrate with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent conductive oxide layers serve multiple functions: they act as electrodes for electrical connection, provide mechanical support for integrating different thin film layers, and maintain structural integrity across the device. This multi-functionality simplifies mechanical integration while preserving cost advantages of thin film technology.
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 thin film tandem photovoltaic cell achieves enhanced conversion efficiency and cost-effectiveness, enabling efficient conversion of sunlight into electrical energy with minimal modification to conventional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first interface region disposed between the window material and the top first transparent conductive oxide material, the first interface region being substantially free from one or more entities from the top first transparent conductive oxide material diffused into the window material
Implementation Method 2
Solar cells are often used... optoelectronic devices that include photovoltaic and photodiode devices that convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A tandem photovoltaic cell. The tandem photovoltaic cell includes a bifacial top cell and a bottom cell. The top bifacial cell includes a top first transparent conductive oxide material. A top window material underlies the top first transparent conductive oxide material. A first interface region is disposed between the top window material and the top first transparent conductive oxide material. The first interface region is substantially free from one or more entities from the top first transparent conductive oxide material diffused into the top window material. A top absorber material comprising a copper species, an indium species, and a sulfur species underlies the top window material. A top second transparent conductive oxide material underlies the top absorber material. A second interface region is disposed between the top second transparent conductive oxide material and the top absorber material. The bottom cell includes a bottom first transparent conductive oxide material. A bottom window material underlies the first bottom transparent conductive oxide material. A bottom absorber material underlies the bottom window material. A bottom electrode material underlies the bottom absorber material. The tandem photovoltaic cell further includes a coupling material free from a parasitic junction between the top cell and the bottom cell.