IP Library Granted Patent US 8,101,858
Granted Patent B2
US 8,101,858 · App. 11/437,830 · Granted Jan 24, 2012

Chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising a metal substrate, coated metal substrate for a photovoltaic solar cell and manufacturing method thereof

Assignee: Corus Technology B.V.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,101,858
App. No.
11/437,830
Granted
Jan 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell. This cell comprises a metal substrate. A conductive layer is present between the metal substrate and a chalcopyrite semiconductor. The conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor. Also disclosed is a coated metal substrate, in particular a metal strip for producing the individual metal substrates of a solar cell, as well as a manufacturing method thereof.

Claims (16)

1. Chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising:

a metal substrate and

a planar chalcopyrite semiconductor layer having opposed first and second planar sides,

a planar conductive layer having opposed first and second planar sides between the metal substrate and the chalcopyrite semiconductor,

a transparent i-type semiconductor layer comprising zinc oxide and having opposed first and second sides; and

a diffusion barrier layer between the metal substrate and the conductive layer,

wherein the diffusion barrier layer comprises MoO 3 ,

wherein the conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor,

wherein the chalcopyrite semiconductor comprises a p type CIS semiconductor,

wherein the conductive layer comprises an n-type vanadium pentoxide;

wherein the first side of the chalcopyrite semiconductor layer directly contacts the second layer of the planar conductive layer and the second side of the chalcopyrite semiconductor layer directly contact the second layer of the transparent i-type semiconductor layer.

2. Solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the chalcopyrite semiconductor has a cubic crystal structure.

3. Solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the chalcopyrite semiconductor is made from CuInS or CuInSe.

4. Solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer has a substantially or orthorhombic structure.

5. Solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the metal substrate consists of carbon steel.

6. Solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the metal substrate has a strip shape.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 25, 2011
From: CORUS TECHNOLOGY BV
To: TATA STEEL NEDERLAND TECHNOLOGY BV
Reel/Frame 025874/0004 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2006
From: HANNOUR, MS. FOUZIA; FLORES RAMIREZ, MR. JOSE REYES; VAN HAASTRECHT, MR. GIJSBERTUS CORNELIS
To: CORUS TECHNOLOGY B.V.
Reel/Frame 018088/0462 →
Priority Claims (2)
EP 06075612 · Mar 14, 2006 · regional
EP 06009922 · May 15, 2006 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070261733A1 · Nov 15, 2007