公开(公告)号：US20190148574A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-16

申请号：US16192704

申请日：2018-11-15

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Rebecca Saive ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Sophia Coplin ,  Michael Kelzenberg ,  Sisir Yalamanchili ,  Colton Bukowsky ,  Thomas Russell

IPC: H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/0216 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0236

Abstract: Superstrates containing ETCs in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be implemented to reduce optical losses by decreasing the thickness of the TCO and by reducing or eliminating shading losses of metal grid fingers. ETC superstrates can include a transparent material with grooves, which can be infilled with reflective, conductive material(s) such as but not limited to silver and aluminum. In further embodiments, the grooves are triangular-shaped. ETC superstrates can enable a significant reduction in the TCO thickness required for current extraction with a high fill factor. By reducing the thickness of the TCO layer in solar cells, the short circuit current density can be enhanced by more than 1 mA/cm2 due to decreased parasitic absorption and optimized antireflection properties.

公开(公告)号：US10700234B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-30

申请号：US15999264

申请日：2018-08-17

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Rebecca Saive ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Sisir Yalamanchili ,  Colton Bukowsky ,  Thomas Russell

IPC: H01L21/00 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0224

Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.

公开(公告)号：US20200152821A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16745233

申请日：2020-01-16

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Rebecca Saive ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Sisir Yalamanchili ,  Colton Bukowsky ,  Thomas Russell

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0224

Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.

公开(公告)号：US20200028005A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-23

申请号：US16243930

申请日：2019-01-09

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Rebecca Saive ,  Thomas Russell ,  Harry A. Atwater

IPC: H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/02

Abstract: Bifacial solar cells have been gaining momentum due to their promise of reducing the price of photovoltaic generated electricity by increasing power output. In addition to front side illumination, bifacial solar cells can also accept photons incident on the rear side. In many embodiments, increased power output values of up to and around 50% can be achieved. In some circumstances, other values can be achieved. For example, ˜40-70% under cloudy conditions and between ˜13-35% under sunny conditions, depending on the height of the ground clearance, can be achieved. Other factors such as but not limited to the (spectral) albedo of the surroundings as well as the geometry in which the cells are mounted can strongly influence the power output. As can readily be appreciated, the exact amount of increased power output can vary widely depending on the configuration and operating conditions of the bifacial solar cell.

公开(公告)号：US20190074401A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-07

申请号：US15999264

申请日：2018-08-17

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Rebecca Saive ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Sisir Yalamanchili ,  Colton Bukowsky ,  Thomas Russell

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0224

Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.