Photovoltaic device

• US 5,885,725 A
• Filed: 08/28/1996
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Katsumi, Toyama, Noboru
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERSTEEG, STEVEN H
• Application Number:
  US08/704,136
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/245, 136/251, 136/256, 136/258 AM, 136/259, 136/291, 136/292, 52/173.3, 244/173, 257/436, 429/9
• US Class Current: 429/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/03921 including only elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/056 the light-reflecting means being of the back surface reflector [BSR] type
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/076 Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/1884 Manufacture of transparent electrodes, e.g. TCO, ITO
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/206 Particular processes or apparatus for continuous treatment of the devices, e.g. roll-to roll processes, multi-chamber deposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/541 CuInSe2 material PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/547 Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/548 Amorphous silicon PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/292 Space - satellite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 : Circuits

Abstract

A photovoltaic device comprises a metal with a smooth surface; a transparent conductive layer formed on the smooth surface; and a photoelectric conversion layer formed on the transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer has an irregular surface at a side opposite to the smooth surface.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery having a container comprising:

a photovoltaic device provided on a surface of said container, said photovoltaic device comprising a metal layer;

a transparent conductive layer formed on said metal layer, a photoelectric conversion layer formed on said transparent conductive layer and a transparent electrode formed on said photoelectric conversion layer, wherein said transparent conductive layer has an irregular surface at a side opposite to an interface to said metal layer, and said metal layer has a smooth surface at the interface.

2. A rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said container is a substrate for said photovoltaic device.

3. A rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic device is connected electrically to a battery mechanism through a diode for blocking reverse current flow from a battery into said photovoltaic device.

4. A rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said smooth surface has concavities and convexities not greater than 1000 Å

.

5. A rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said transparent conductive layer is ZnO or SnO₂.

6. A rechargeable battery according to claim 5, wherein said transparent conductive layer is either ZnO doped with a copper impurity or SnO₂ doped with an aluminum impurity.