Transparent Back Electrode Thin-Film PV Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin-film photovoltaic cells with non-transparent back electrodes interfere with display screens by blocking light and reducing photoelectric conversion efficiency, especially in weak light conditions.
Innovation Solution
Designing thin-film photovoltaic cells with both front and back electrodes made transparent, allowing bidirectional light absorption and improved conversion efficiency, and incorporating a transparent insulating layer to prevent corrosion and enhance transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-transparent metal is used as the back electrode, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the light transmittance deteriorates causing interference fringes and reducing photoelectric conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the back electrode from non-transparent metal to transparent conductive oxide (such as ITO, IZO, or GZO), fundamentally altering the optical properties while maintaining electrical conductivity. This enables the back electrode to transmit light while still performing its electrical function, thereby resolving the contradiction between conductivity and light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where transparent conductive oxide layers are combined with other functional layers (such as buffer layers, light absorption layers, and protective layers) to create a multi-layer back electrode system. This composite structure achieves both high electrical conductivity and high light transmittance, eliminating the interference fringes caused by non-transparent metals while maintaining reliable electrical performance.
2Device complexity
If only single-side light absorption is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency deteriorates especially in weak light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-side light absorption to bidirectional light absorption by making the back electrode transparent. This adds a new dimension to light absorption - light can now enter from both the front surface and the back surface of the photovoltaic cell. The transparent back electrode allows light to pass through and be absorbed by the light absorption layer from both directions, effectively doubling the light harvesting capability without significantly complicating the device structure.
3Productivity
If the display area is covered with non-transparent photovoltaic cells, then the power generation area is increased, but the display quality deteriorates due to interference fringes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the back electrode from non-transparent to transparent, allowing light to pass through the photovoltaic cell structure in the display area. This enables the photovoltaic cell to maintain its power generation function while being visually transparent, thus improving display quality by eliminating interference fringes and allowing the display content to be clearly visible through the cell structure.
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
Enhances photoelectric conversion efficiency, particularly in weak light conditions, and reduces interference fringes on display screens by maintaining transparency in the wiring area, thereby improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorption layer disposed on the transparent front electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a thin-film photovoltaic cell with a high photoelectric conversion rate and a preparation process thereof. The thin-film photovoltaic cell comprises a transparent substrate and photovoltaic units which are disposed on the transparent substrate and arranged toward the display module, and the photovoltaic unit disposed in the display area comprises a transparent front electrode disposed on the transparent substrate, a light absorption layer disposed on the transparent front electrode and a transparent back electrode disposed on the light absorption layer; and the photovoltaic unit disposed in the non-display area comprises a transparent front electrode disposed on the transparent substrate, a light absorption layer disposed on the transparent front electrode and a metal back electrode disposed on the light absorption layer.