Ultra-high current density cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules

摘要

Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules have the highest possible conversion of photons to electrons in order to optimize their sunlight-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency. The electric current and sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency of CdTe modules is increased by about 20% with a new module design that (1) allows more light to pass through the glass and top layers to reach the PV junction area while (2) protecting the module against manufacturability pitfalls (shorts, shunts, and weak diodes) that have previously prevented the successful development of any equivalent module.