Photovoltaic cell array
First Claim
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1. In an integrated array of connected, thin film, photovoltaic cells comprising:
- a substrate of electrically insulative material;
a plurality of thin film photovoltaic cells integrally united to a major surface of said substrate in a spaced-apart relationship, each of said cells comprising;
an electrically conductive bottom electrode united to said major surface of said substrate;
a film of first semiconductor material of one type conductivity covering and overlapping all but a portion adjacent an edge of said bottom electrode;
a film of second semiconductor material of opposite type conductivity and forming a p-n junction with the first semiconductor material and;
a top electrode, in contact with said second semiconductor material and which allows radiant energy to pass into the second semiconductor material, selected ones of said top and bottom electrodes of one cell being connected to selected top and bottom electrodes of adjacent cells to connect said cells in a series or parallel arrangement;
the improvement wherein said substrate comprises an insulative ceramic and said bottom electrode comprises an electrically conductive ceramic united to said major surface of said substrate.
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Abstract
In a photovoltaic cell which comprises: a substrate, a bottom electrode, a first layer of cadmium sulfide, a second layer of cuprous sulfide forming a barrier junction with said first layer and a top electrode, the improvement wherein said substrate is an insulative ceramic material and the bottom electrode is a conductive ceramic layer fused to said substrate. Said conductive layer is optionally coated with a metal having a high electrical conductivity.
93 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In an integrated array of connected, thin film, photovoltaic cells comprising:
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a substrate of electrically insulative material; a plurality of thin film photovoltaic cells integrally united to a major surface of said substrate in a spaced-apart relationship, each of said cells comprising; an electrically conductive bottom electrode united to said major surface of said substrate; a film of first semiconductor material of one type conductivity covering and overlapping all but a portion adjacent an edge of said bottom electrode; a film of second semiconductor material of opposite type conductivity and forming a p-n junction with the first semiconductor material and; a top electrode, in contact with said second semiconductor material and which allows radiant energy to pass into the second semiconductor material, selected ones of said top and bottom electrodes of one cell being connected to selected top and bottom electrodes of adjacent cells to connect said cells in a series or parallel arrangement;
the improvement wherein said substrate comprises an insulative ceramic and said bottom electrode comprises an electrically conductive ceramic united to said major surface of said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification