IP Library Patent Application 14034711
Patent Application
App. No. 14/034,711

SOLAR CELL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SOLAR CELL

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
14/034,711
Abstract

A solar cell having improved carrier collection efficiency is provided. A solar cell ( 1 ) is provided with a semiconductor substrate ( 10 ) having one type of conductivity, a first semiconductor layer ( 12 n ), a second semiconductor layer ( 13 p ), a first electrode ( 14 ), and a second electrode ( 15 ). The first semiconductor layer ( 12 n ) is arranged on one main surface ( 10 b ) of the semiconductor substrate ( 10 ). The first semiconductor layer ( 12 n ) has the one type of conductivity. The second semiconductor layer ( 13 p ) is arranged on the one main surface ( 10 b ) of the semiconductor substrate ( 10 ). The second semiconductor layer ( 13 p ) has the other type of conductivity. The first electrode ( 14 ) is connected electrically to the first semiconductor layer ( 12 n ). The second electrode ( 15 ) is connected electrically to the second semiconductor layer ( 13 p ). The thickness of the second semiconductor layer ( 13 p ) is thinner than the thickness of the first semiconductor layer ( 12 n ).

Claims (18)

1 . A solar cell comprising:

a semiconductor substrate having one type of conductivity;

a first semiconductor substrate having the one type of conductivity arranged on one main surface of the semiconductor substrate;

a second semiconductor substrate having the other type of conductivity arranged on the one main surface of the semiconductor substrate;

a first electrode connected electrically to the first semiconductor layer; and

a second electrode connected electrically to the second semiconductor layer;

the thickness of the second semiconductor layer being thinner than the thickness of the first semiconductor layer.

2 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second semiconductor layers each have a plurality of linear portions, the width of the linear portions of the first semiconductor layer being smaller than the width of the linear portions of the second semiconductor layer.

3 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first semiconductor layer contains hydrogen.

4 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein a first i-type semiconductor layer is further provided between the first semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate.

5 . The solar cell according to claim 4 , wherein a second i-type semiconductor layer is arranged between the second semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate, the second i-type semiconductor layer being thinner than the first i-type semiconductor layer.

6 . The solar cell according to claim 1 , wherein the other main surface of the semiconductor substrate is the light-receiving surface.

7 . A method for manufacturing a solar cell comprising the steps of:

forming a first semiconductor layer having one type of conductivity on a portion of one main surface of a semiconductor substrate having the one type of conductivity;

forming a semiconductor film having the other type of conductivity on the one main surface of the semiconductor substrate including the first semiconductor layer;

exposing the first semiconductor layer by removing at least one part of the portion of the semiconductor film positioned on the first semiconductor layer, and forming a second semiconductor layer from the semiconductor film; and

forming a first electrode on the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode on the second semiconductor layer;

the thickness of the second semiconductor layer being thinner than the thickness of the first semiconductor layer.

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, 2013
From: HASEGAWA, ISAO; ASAUMI, TOSHIO; SAKATA, HITOSHI
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 031265/0154 →