THIN FILM ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR FORMING A REDUCED CONDUCTIVE AREA IN TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE FILMS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

• US 20120000520A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Solar Incorporated, First Solar Malaysia Sendirian Berhad (First Solar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PrimeStar Solar, Inc. (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: FREY, Jonathan Mack, FELDMAN-PEABODY, Scott Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,525,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/256
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/022466 made of transparent conductive layers, e.g. TCO, ITO layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0463 characterised by special patterning methods to connect the PV cells in a module, e.g. laser cutting of the conductive or active layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0465 comprising particular structures for the electrical interconnection of adjacent PV cells in the module H01L31/0463 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/073 comprising only AIIBVI compound semiconductors, e.g. CdS/CdTe solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/1884 Manufacture of transparent electrodes, e.g. TCO, ITO
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/543 Solar cells from Group II-VI materials

Abstract

A method for forming a reduced conductive area in transparent conductive. The method includes providing a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A reducing atmosphere is provided and concentrated electromagnetic energy from an energy source is directed toward a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material to form a reduced conductive area. The reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A thin film article and photovoltaic module are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for forming a reduced conductive area in transparent conductive films, the method comprising:

providing a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material;

providing a reducing atmosphere; and

,

directing concentrated electromagnetic energy from an energy source toward a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material to form a reduced conductive area;

wherein the reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducible material is a transparent conductive oxide.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transparent conductive oxide is selected from the group consisting of SnO₂, In₂O₃, Cd₂SnO₄, ZnO and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material is a conductive layer of a thin film photovoltaic module.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material is a dead area.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced conductive area is located along the layer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing atmosphere includes a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, reforming gas and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the reducing atmosphere further comprises providing a gas additive.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the gas additive is an organometallic gas.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the organometallic gas is selected from the group consisting of tin tetrachloride, dimethyl cadmium, dimethyl zinc and combinations thereof.

11. A thin film article having selectively modified electrical conductivity:

a substrate including a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material; and

a reduced conductive area selectively disposed within the electrically conductive, chemically reducible material;

wherein the reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the reduced conductive area is metallic.

13. The article of claim 11, wherein the reduced conductive area further includes a reduced organometallic gas additive.

14. The article of claim 11, wherein the thin film article forms a portion of a photovoltaic module.

15. The article of claim 11, wherein the reduced conductive area is disposed within a dead area of the photovoltaic module.

16. The article of claim 11, wherein the thin film article includes a photovoltaic cell including CdTe.

17. A thin film photovoltaic module having a transparent conductive oxide layer comprising:

a selectively disposed reduced conductive area within the transparent conductive oxide layer;

wherein the reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent conductive oxide layer.

18. The photovoltaic module of claim 17, wherein the reduced conductive area is metallic.

19. The photovoltaic module of claim 17, wherein the reduced conductive area further includes a reduced organometallic gas additive.

20. The photovoltaic module of claim 17, wherein the reduced conductive area is disposed within a dead area of the photovoltaic module.