Solar cells and method of making solar cells

摘要

A multi-junction photovoltaic cell includes at least two P-N junctions electrically connected to each other in series. Each P-N junction includes a P-type absorber layer and a N-type emitter layer, each P-type absorber layer including a plurality of alternating thin film layers of zinc telluride and lead telluride, wherein zinc telluride and lead telluride have respective bandgaps when in bulk thickness and the effective bandgap of each P-type absorber layer is between the respective bandgaps. The effective bandgap of at least one P-type absorber layer is different from that of at least one other P-type absorber layer.

主权项

1. A multi-junction solar cell comprising:
a glass substrate coated with a conductive layer; a multi-cell tandem solar cell comprising a plurality of P-N junctions electrically connected to each other in series, each P-N junction including (i) a P-type absorber layer including a periodic array of alternating layers of first and second semiconductor materials electrodeposited over the glass substrate and (ii) a N-type emitter layer,
wherein the first and second semiconductor materials have different bandgaps when provided in bulk thickness, wherein the alternating layers are provided in thicknesses less than bulk thickness and sufficiently thin such that the effective bandgap of the absorber layer is between the bandgaps of the materials when provided in bulk thickness,wherein the effective bandgap of at least one of the absorber layers is different from that of at least one other absorber layer,wherein the layers are alternating layers of II-VI and IV-VI compounds; and electrical contacts for passing current out of said solar cell upon irradiation thereof with radiation which produces a potential across at least one of said P-N junctions.