IP Library Granted Patent US 9,748,414
Granted Patent B2
US 9,748,414 · App. 13/476,955 · Granted Aug 29, 2017

Self-activated front surface bias for a solar cell

Inventor: Arthur R. Zingher (Mountain View, CA)
H01L31/02021H01L31/042H01L31/05H01L31/0682Y02E10/547
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,748,414
App. No.
13/476,955
Granted
Aug 29, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A self-activated front surface bias for photovoltaic solar cell assembly is provided. The solar cell assembly comprises a front surface electrical bias activated by electrical energy generated by the solar cell assembly. The front surface bias improves generation efficiency for said solar cell assembly.

Claims (11)

1. A photovoltaic solar cell assembly for generating electrical energy from light, said solar cell assembly comprising:

a front surface electrical bias circuit activated by electrical energy generated by said solar cell assembly;

a bypass circuit connected to said front surface electrical bias circuit;

a transparent conductive layer positioned near or directly on a light receiving front surface of said solar cell; and

a bias wire activated by at least one electrode on said solar cell, said electrode providing some of said electrical energy to said front surface electrical bias circuit, said bias wire transferring said electrical energy to said transparent conductive layer to activate a front surface electrical bias, wherein said front surface bias circuit comprises at least a voltage divider formed by at least two resistors.

2. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface electrical bias circuit and said electrode have approximately equivalent voltages.

3. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface electrical bias circuit is directly connected to said electrode, said electrode having the same polarity as minority carriers in the solar cell.

4. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface electrical bias circuit further comprises a control, said control optimizing front surface bias to reduce the concentration of minority carriers near the front surface of the solar cell.

5. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface electrical bias circuit further comprises a control, said control responsive to operating conditions of said solar cell.

6. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 wherein said bypass circuit is at least partially unified with said front surface electrical bias circuit.

7. The photovoltaic solar cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein said bypass circuit comprises at least a bypass diode.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF LOAN DOCUMENTS Recorded Sep 29, 2017
From: OPUS BANK
To: OB REALTY, LLC
Reel/Frame 044062/0383 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 28, 2017
From: SOLEXEL, INC.
To: BEAMREACH SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 043367/0649 →
RECORDATION OF FORECLOSURE OF PATENT PROPERTIES Recorded Jul 27, 2017
From: OB REALTY, LLC
To: OB REALTY, LLC
Reel/Frame 043350/0822 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 26, 2017
From: SOLEXEL, INC.
To: BEAMREACH SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 043342/0439 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2015
From: ZINGHER, ARTHUR R.
To: SOLEXEL, INC.
Reel/Frame 034943/0460 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: SOLEXEL, INC.
To: OPUS BANK
Reel/Frame 034731/0001 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61488668 · May 20, 2011
Related Publication 20130125950A1 · May 23, 2013