Formation of stretchable photovoltaic devices and carriers
Formation of stretchable photovoltaic devices and carriers is described. In some examples, a formation method includes: forming a stretchable carrier including a stretchable part having a given length, the given length being operable to change in response to a force being applied to the stretchable carrier; depositing a photovoltaic cell over a surface of the stretchable carrier; and interconnecting the photovoltaic cell to output terminals.
1. A method of forming a stretchable photovoltaic device, comprising:
depositing at least one of metal or plastic over a form to form a stretchable carrier including a stretchable part having a given length, the given length being operable to change in response to a force being applied to the stretchable carrier;
depositing a photovoltaic cell over a surface of the stretchable carrier; and
interconnecting the photovoltaic cell to output terminals.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stretchable part comprises at least one corrugation, and wherein the at least one of the metal or the plastic is deposited over the form so as to make a foil in the form of the at least one corrugation.
3. A method of forming a stretchable photovoltaic device, comprising:
forming a stretchable carrier including a stretchable part having a given length, the given length being operable to change in response to a force being applied to the stretchable carrier;
depositing a photovoltaic cell over a surface of the stretchable carrier by forming a photovoltaic stack having a junction of n-type and p-type semiconductor layers; and
wherein forming the photovoltaic stack comprises:
depositing a back-contact layer;
depositing the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers over the back-contact layer;
depositing a front-contact layer over the n-type and the p-type semiconductor layers; and
forming first and second conductors coupled to the front-contact layer and the back-contact layer, respectively.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
providing output terminals; and
depositing metal to form connections between the first and second conductors and first and second ones of the output terminals, respectively.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
providing output terminals; and
forming wire-bonds between the first and second conductors and first and second ones of the output terminals, respectively.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the stretchable carrier comprises:
forming a mounting site coupled to the stretchable part, wherein the mounting site defines the surface to which to affix the photovoltaic cell.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of forming the stretchable carrier comprises:
forming an aperture disposed adjacent to the mounting site and the stretchable part.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stretchable part comprises first and second stretchable parts, and wherein the first stretchable part is oriented orthogonally to the second stretchable part.
9. A method of forming a stretchable photovoltaic device, comprising:
forming a stretchable carrier including a mounting site and a stretchable part including at least one of corrugated foil, corrugated plastic, a spring, an elastic band, a hinge, or a rail;
forming a photovoltaic cell;
combining the photovoltaic cell with the stretchable carrier; and
interconnecting the photovoltaic cell to output terminals.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of forming the stretchable carrier comprises:
depositing at least one of metal or plastic over a form so as to make a foil in the form of the stretchable part and the mounting site.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of forming the stretchable carrier comprises:
forming at least one of metal or plastic in a first foil to form the stretchable part;
forming at least one metal or plastic in a second foil to form the mounting site; and
joining the first foil and the second foil.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of forming the at least one photovoltaic cell comprises:
forming a photovoltaic stack on a substrate, the photovoltaic stack having a junction of n-type and p-type semiconductor layers.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of forming the photovoltaic stack comprises:
depositing a back-contact layer;
depositing the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers over the back-contact layer;
depositing a front-contact layer over the n-type and the p-type semiconductor layers; and
forming first and second conductors coupled to the front-contact layer and the back-contact layer, respectively.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of interconnecting comprises:
depositing metal to form connections between the first and second conductors and first and second ones of the output terminals, respectively.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of interconnecting comprises:
forming wire-bonds between the first and second conductors and first and second ones of the output terminals, respectively.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of combining the photovoltaic cell with the stretchable carrier comprises:
attaching the photovoltaic cell to the mounting site.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of combining the photovoltaic cell with the stretchable carrier comprises:
attaching a pedestal or spacer to the mounting site; and
attaching the photovoltaic cell to the pedestal or spacer.
18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the stretchable part comprises first and second stretchable parts, and wherein the first stretchable part is oriented orthogonally to the second stretchable part.