IP Library Patent Application 13592545
Patent Application
App. No. 13/592,545

SOLAR CELL

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/592,545
Abstract

A solar cell includes a crystalline Si layer including a pn junction and a semiconductor layer formed on a first main surface of the crystalline Si layer. The semiconductor layer has the same conductivity as a portion of the crystalline Si layer that is in contact with the semiconductor layer. The open circuit voltage under light irradiation onto the solar cell is different from a level difference between the quasi Fermi level of electrons and the quasi Fermi level of holes in the crystalline Si layer.

Claims (15)

1 . A solar cell comprising:

a crystalline silicon layer including a pn junction; and

a semiconductor layer formed on a first main surface of the crystalline silicon layer, wherein

the semiconductor layer has the same conductivity type as a portion of the crystalline silicon layer that is in contact with the semiconductor layer, and

an open circuit voltage under light irradiation onto the solar cell is different from a level difference between a quasi Fermi level of electrons and a quasi Fermi level of holes in the crystalline silicon layer.

2 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein a numerical value obtained by subtracting the level difference from the open circuit voltage is a positive value.

3 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , comprising a passivation layer formed on a second main surface which is on the opposite side of the crystalline silicon layer from the first main surface.

4 . The solar cell according to claim 2 , comprising a passivation layer formed on a second main surface which is on the opposite side of the crystalline silicon layer from the first main surface.

5 . A solar cell comprising:

a crystalline silicon layer including a pn junction; and

a semiconductor layer formed on a first main surface of the crystalline silicon layer and made of an amorphous semiconductor containing hydrogen, wherein

the semiconductor layer contains a dopant of the same conductivity type as a portion of the crystalline silicon layer that is in contact with the semiconductor layer, and

the dopant concentration of the semiconductor layer in the vicinity of an interface with the crystalline silicon layer is 1×10 19 /cc or higher.

6 . The solar cell according to claim 5 , comprising a passivation layer formed on a second main surface which is on the opposite side of the crystalline silicon layer from the first main surface.

7 . The solar cell according to claim 6 , wherein the passivation layer is formed of an amorphous semiconductor containing hydrogen.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035071/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 035071/0508 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2012
From: BABA, TOSHIAKI
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 029015/0153 →