Back-Contact Electron Reflectors Enhancing Thin Film Solar Cell Efficiency
First Claim
1. A solar cell, comprising:
- a first metal layer disposed on a substrate;
a material layer formed above the first metal layer, the material layer operable as an electron reflector layer;
an absorber material layer formed above the material layer;
a buffer material layer formed above to the absorber material layer;
a transparent conductive oxide material layer formed above the buffer material layer; and
a second metal layer formed above the transparent conductive oxide material layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for improving the efficiency of solar cells are disclosed. A solar cell consistent with the present disclosure includes a back contact metal layer disposed on a substrate. The solar cell also includes an electron reflector material(s) layer formed on the back contact metal layer and an absorber material(s) layer disposed on the electron reflector material(s) layer. In addition, the solar cell includes a buffer material(s) layer formed on the absorber material(s) layer wherein the electron reflector material(s) layer, absorber material(s) layer, and buffer material(s) layer form a pn junction within the solar cell. Furthermore, a TCO material(s) layer is formed on the buffer material(s) layer. In addition, the front contact layer is formed on the TCO material(s) layer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar cell, comprising:
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a first metal layer disposed on a substrate; a material layer formed above the first metal layer, the material layer operable as an electron reflector layer; an absorber material layer formed above the material layer; a buffer material layer formed above to the absorber material layer; a transparent conductive oxide material layer formed above the buffer material layer; and a second metal layer formed above the transparent conductive oxide material layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of creating a thin film photovoltaic solar cell, comprising:
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forming a first metal layer above a substrate; forming a material layer above the first metal layer, the material layer operable as an electron reflector layer; forming an absorber material layer above the material layer; forming an transparent conductive oxide materials above the buffer material layer; and forming a second metal layer above the transparent conductive oxide material layer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A solar cell, comprising:
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a first metal layer disposed on a substrate; a material layer formed above the first metal layer, wherein the material layer comprises at least one of MoSe2, MoS2, ZnSnO3, MoOx, ZnTe, CuxTe, MoTe, or Sb2Te3; an absorber material layer formed above the material layer; a buffer material layer formed above to the absorber material layer; a transparent conductive oxide material layer formed above the buffer material layer; and a second metal layer formed above the transparent conductive oxide material layer.
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Specification