초록 ▼

Provided is a thin film photovoltaic device and a method of manufacturing the device. The thin film photovoltaic device comprises a film layer having particles which are smaller than about 30 microns in size held in an electrically insulating matrix material to reduce the potential for electrical sh

Provided is a thin film photovoltaic device and a method of manufacturing the device. The thin film photovoltaic device comprises a film layer having particles which are smaller than about 30 microns in size held in an electrically insulating matrix material to reduce the potential for electrical shorting through the film layer. The film layer may be provided by depositing preformed particles onto a surrogate substrate and binding the particles in a film-forming matrix material to form a flexible sheet with the film layer. The flexible sheet may be separated from the surrogate substrate and cut into flexible strips. A plurality of the flexible strips may be located adjacent to and supported by a common supporting substrate to form a photovoltaic module having a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells.

대표청구항 ▼

A photovoltaic device, the photovoltaic device comprising: a semiconductor layer capable of producing electrical energy in response to solar energy striking said semiconductor layer; and a first electrode and a second electrode, each of which is electrically interconnected with said semiconductor la

A photovoltaic device, the photovoltaic device comprising: a semiconductor layer capable of producing electrical energy in response to solar energy striking said semiconductor layer; and a first electrode and a second electrode, each of which is electrically interconnected with said semiconductor layer; said semiconductor layer comprising a first semiconductor film of a thickness of smaller than about 30 microns, said first semiconductor film including particles comprising a first semiconductor material in crystalline form and having spaces between said particles, wherein said spaces between said particles are at least partially occupied by an electrically insulating composition to reduce the potential for electrical shorting through said film; said semiconductor layer also comprising a second semiconductor film, adjacent said first semiconductor film, comprising a second semiconductor material, wherein said first semiconductor film and said second semiconductor film form a heterojunction for photovoltaic power production; an interlayer being located between said second semiconductor film and said second electrode, said interlayer being substantially electrically conductive in a direction across the thickness of said interlayer and being substantially electrically non-conductive in a direction laterally across said interlayer.