초록 ▼

Individual panels of solar cells are stacked one on top of the other and arranged so that incident light passes through each of the arrays of cells in each panel striking the one below it. The solar cells in each panel are selected to have a predetermined and different spectral response and thus are

Individual panels of solar cells are stacked one on top of the other and arranged so that incident light passes through each of the arrays of cells in each panel striking the one below it. The solar cells in each panel are selected to have a predetermined and different spectral response and thus are responsive to different frequencies of light. Electrical connection is individually made to each of the panels to collect the electrical energy generated from conversion of the light incident on the particular array of cells. Each of the panels may independently be constructed from microcrystalline thin films, amorphous silicon, single crystal silicon, compound semi-conductors, and the like. Individual panels may be constructed of the same semi-conductor material but compositionally modified to provide sensitivity to different portions of the light spectrum.

대표청구항 ▼

A photovoltaic module comprising: (A) a first independently operable panel of solar cells having a first bandgap and including a first optically transparent substrate having a plurality of thin film solar cells formed thereon, at least some of said thin film solar cells being electrically series int

A photovoltaic module comprising: (A) a first independently operable panel of solar cells having a first bandgap and including a first optically transparent substrate having a plurality of thin film solar cells formed thereon, at least some of said thin film solar cells being electrically series interconnected; (B) a first transparent conductive layer between said first substrate and said thin film solar cells and a second transparent conductive layer on the other side of said thin film solar cells; (C) a second independently operable panel of solar cells having a second bandgap, said first and second band gaps being different, said second panel including a second substrate carrying a plurality of solar cells, at least some of said solar cells on said second substrate being electrically series interconnected; (D) said second transparent conductive layer having a thickness such that the light passed through it is optimally at the peak of the spectral response of the semiconductor material in said second panel of solar cells; (E) said first and second panels being stacked one on top of the other with said solar cells facing each other in optical series; and (F) an interface layer of optically transparent and electrically insulative material sandwiched between said first and second panels.