Emcore Solar Power, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150194551 | SOLAR CELL ARRAY HAVING TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CELLS - A solar cell array includes multiple cells connected to one another in series on a surface. The array includes first and second different types of solar cells. Incorporating two different types of cells can facilitate various layouts of the cells in the array, including compact arrangements. In some implementations, the use of two different types of cells can allow arrangements in which voltage terminals of opposite polarity to be disposed at a sufficiently large distance from one another so as to help reduce the occurrence of ESD. | 07-09-2015 |
20150104898 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - A method of fabricating both a multijunction solar cell and an inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell in a single process using a MOCVD reactor by forming a first multijunction solar cell on a semiconductor substrate; forming a release layer over the first solar cell; forming an inverted metamorphic second solar cell over the release layer; and etching the release layer so as to separate the multijunction first solar cell and the inverted metamorphic second solar cell. | 04-16-2015 |
20150090321 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS WITH DOPED ALPHA LAYER - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising at least an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell, the method including forming a first alpha layer over said middle solar subcell using a surfactant and dopant including selenium, the first alpha layer configured to prevent threading dislocations from propagating; forming a metamorphic grading interlayer over and directly adjacent to said first alpha layer; forming a second alpha layer using a surfactant and dopant including selenium over and directly adjacent to said grading interlayer to prevent threading dislocations from propagating; and forming a lower solar subcell over said grading interlayer such that said lower solar subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said middle solar subcell. | 04-02-2015 |
20150059837 | SOLAR CELL WITH PASSIVATION ON THE CONTACT LAYER - A multijunction solar cell including a contact layer with sulfur passivation on the surface of the contact layer adjacent to the window layer overlying the top subcell of the solar cell. The passivation is performed by application of a solution of ammonium sulphide. | 03-05-2015 |
20150040972 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH SURFACE PASSIVATION OF THE CONTACT LAYER - An inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell including a contact layer with sulfur passivation on the surface of the contact layer. | 02-12-2015 |
20150040971 | FABRICATION OF SOLAR CELLS WITH ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYIMIDE ADHESIVE - The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a solar cell including: providing a first substrate and a second substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell including a top subcell and a bottom subcell; forming a back metal contact over the bottom subcell; applying a conductive polyimide adhesive to the second substrate; attaching the second substrate on top of the back metal contact; and removing the first substrate to expose the surface of the top subcell. | 02-12-2015 |
20150034152 | SOLAR CELL WITH PASSIVATION ON THE WINDOW LAYER - A multijunction solar cell including a window layer with sulfur passivation on the surface of the window layer adjacent to the contact layer overlying the top subcell of the solar cell. The passivation is performed by application of a solution of ammonium sulphide. | 02-05-2015 |
20150034151 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH PASSIVATION IN THE WINDOW LAYER - An inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell including a window layer with sulfur passivation on the surface of the window layer of the top solar subcell. | 02-05-2015 |
20140373905 | METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH SURFACE PASSIVATION - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell; a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell; a first graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; a third solar subcell adjacent to the first graded interlayer such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell. A second graded interlayer is provided adjacent to the third solar subcell, and a lower fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to the second graded interlayer, such that the fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the third subcell. An encapsulating layer composed of silicon nitride or titanium oxide disposed on the top surface of the solar cell, and an antireflection coating layer disposed over the encapsulating layer. | 12-25-2014 |
20140342494 | OHMIC N-CONTACT FORMED AT LOW TEMPERATURE IN INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell including an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell by providing a substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on the substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over the first solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; forming a graded interlayer over the second subcell, the graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; forming a third solar subcell over the graded interlayer having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; and forming a contact composed of a sequence of layers over the first subcell at a temperature of 280° C. or less and having a contact resistance of less than 5×10 | 11-20-2014 |
20140166067 | SOLAR POWER SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT, WATERCRAFT, OR LAND VEHICLES USING INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - A system for generating electrical power from solar radiation utilizing a thin film III-V compound multijunction semiconductor solar cell mounted on a support in a non-planar configuration is disclosed herein. | 06-19-2014 |
20140116500 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS MOUNTED ON FLEXIBLE SUPPORT WITH BIFACIAL CONTACTS - A method of manufacturing a mounted solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material to form a multijunction solar cell using an MOCVD process; depositing a metal electrode layer on its surface of the layers of semiconductor material; attaching a metallic flexible film comprising a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy material, or a nickel iron alloy material, directly to the surface of the metal electrode layer of the semiconductor solar cell. The first substrate is removed, and an electrical interconnection member is attached to the solar cell. | 05-01-2014 |
20140102529 | SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A solar cell interconnect assembly and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In an embodiment, the method may include: providing a solar cell having an interconnect member formed thereon, the interconnect member comprising a metallic part formed on a surface of the solar cell and a first precursor layer formed over the metallic part; providing an interconnector comprising a second precursor layer at a surface thereof; heating the interconnector and the interconnect member to a temperature equal to or above a eutectic temperature of the materials of the first and second precursor layers and pressing one of them against the other so as to form a eutectic liquid phase; and isothermal solidifying the eutectic liquid to form a bonding layer of eutectic alloy. | 04-17-2014 |
20140000672 | SOLAR CELL ASSEMBLY, SOLAR CELL PANEL, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME | 01-02-2014 |
20130327378 | RADIATION RESISTANT INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL - A multijunction solar cell including a first solar subcell having a first band gap and a first short-circuit current; a second solar subcell disposed over the first solar subcell and having a second band gap greater than the first band gap and a second short-circuit current greater than the first short-circuit current by an amount in the range of 2% to 6%; a third solar subcell disposed over the second solar subcell and having a third band gap greater than the second band gap and a third short-circuit current less than the first short-circuit current by an amount in the range of 2% to 6%; and a fourth solar subcell disposed over the third solar subcell having a fourth band gap greater than the third band gap, and a fourth short-circuit current less than the third short-circuit current by an amount in the range of 6% to 10%, so that at an “end of life” state of the multijunction solar cell in an AM0 space environment the short-circuit current of each of the subcells are substantially identical. | 12-12-2013 |
20130312818 | Metamorphic Layers in Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell comprising providing first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on said substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over said first subcell having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; and forming a grading interlayer over said second sub cell having a third band gap larger than said second band gap forming a third solar subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than said second band gap such that said third subcell is lattice mis-matched with respect to said second subcell. | 11-28-2013 |
20130228216 | SOLAR CELL WITH GRADATION IN DOPING IN THE WINDOW LAYER - A multijunction solar cell including a window layer with a gradation in doping from the region in the window layer adjacent to the emitter region to the region in the window layer adjacent to the surface layer overlying the window layer, so that minority carriers in the window layer experience an electric field which would tend to drive them in the direction of the emitter layer, thereby increasing the efficiency of the solar cell. | 09-05-2013 |
20130139877 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH GRADATION IN DOPING IN THE WINDOW LAYER - A multijunction solar cell including a window layer with a gradation in doping; an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap adjacent to the window layer; a second solar subcell adjacent to said first solar subcell; a first graded interlayer adjacent to said second solar subcell, said first graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than said second band gap; a third solar subcell adjacent to said first graded interlayer; a second interlayer adjacent to said third solar subcell, said second graded interlayer having a fifth band gap greater than said fourth band gap; a fourth solar subcell adjacent to said second graded interlayer, such that said fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said third subcell. | 06-06-2013 |
20130014803 | WAFER LEVEL INTERCONNECTION OF INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - A method of forming a plurality of discrete, interconnected solar cells mounted on a carrier by providing a first semiconductor substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell structure; forming a metal back contact layer over the solar cell structure; mounting a carrier on top of the metal back contact; removing the first substrate; and lithographically patterning and etching the solar cell structure to form a plurality of discrete solar cells mounted on the carrier. | 01-17-2013 |
20120285519 | GRID DESIGN FOR III-V COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR CELL - A photovoltaic solar cell for producing energy from the sun including a germanium substrate including a first photoactive junction and forming a bottom solar subcell; a gallium arsenide middle cell disposed on said substrate; an indium gallium phosphide top cell disposed over the middle cell; and a surface grid including a plurality of spaced apart grid lines, wherein the grid lines have a thickness greater than 7 microns, and each grid line has a cross-section in the shape of a trapezoid with a cross-sectional area between 45 and 55 square microns. | 11-15-2012 |
20120276676 | EPITAXIAL LIFT OFF IN INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - The present disclosure provides a process for manufacturing a solar cell by selectively freeing an epitaxial layer from a single crystal substrate upon which it was grown. In some embodiments the process includes, among other things, providing a first substrate; depositing a separation layer on said first substrate; depositing on said separation layer a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting and bonding a flexible support on top of the sequence of layers; etching said separation layer while applying an agitating action to the etchant solution so as to remove said flexible support with said epitaxial layer from said first substrate. | 11-01-2012 |
20120247535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICAL POWER FROM SUNLIGHT - A system for the generation of electrical power from sunlight includes a solar cell assembly with at least two sets of solar cells, each of these sets being adapted to a set-specific light frequency spectrum so as to convert light having said set-specific frequency spectrum into electrical energy with an optimized energy conversion efficiency. The system is arranged to respond to changes in the frequency spectrum of the sunlight, for example, in accordance with the time of the day, by causing the sunlight to selectively impinge on one or another of the different sets of solar cells. Thus, an enhanced energy conversion efficiency of the system is obtained. | 10-04-2012 |
20120227797 | HETEROJUNCTION SUBCELLS IN INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - Inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells having a heterojunction middle subcell and a graded interlayer, and methods of making same, are disclosed herein. The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a solar cell using an MOCVD process, wherein the graded interlayer is composed of (In | 09-13-2012 |
20120211071 | FOUR JUNCTION INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH A SINGLE METAMORPHIC LAYER - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell, the first graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; and a third solar subcell adjacent to the graded interlayer, the third subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell. A lower fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to the third subcell and lattice matched thereto, the lower fourth subcell having a fifth band gap smaller than the fourth band gap. | 08-23-2012 |
20120211068 | INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL WITH TWO METAMORPHIC LAYERS AND HOMOJUNCTION TOP CELL - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell, and the base-emitter junction of the upper first solar subcell being a homojunction; a second solar subcell adjacent to said first solar subcell; a third solar subcell adjacent to said second solar subcell. A first graded interlayer is provided adjacent to said third solar subcell. A fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to said first graded interlayer, said fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said third subcell. A second graded interlayer is provided adjacent to said fourth solar subcell; and a lower fifth solar subcell is provided adjacent to said second graded interlayer, said lower fifth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said fourth subcell. | 08-23-2012 |
20120211047 | STRING INTERCONNECTION OF INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS ON FLEXIBLE PERFORATED CARRIERS - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell string by mounting first and second multijunction solar cells on a first side of a perforated carrier; attaching a first electrical interconnect to the contact pad of said first multijunction solar cell, the electrical interconnect extending through said perforated carrier; attaching a second electrical interconnect to the metal contact layer of said second multijunction solar cell, the electrical interconnect extending through said perforated carrier; and connecting said first electrical interconnect to said second electrical interconnect. | 08-23-2012 |
20120186641 | INVERTED MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS WITH GROUP IV ALLOYS - A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising providing a growth substrate; depositing on said growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell, including at least one subcell composed of a group IV alloy such as GeSiSn; and removing the semiconductor substrate. | 07-26-2012 |
20120142139 | MOUNTING OF SOLAR CELLS ON A FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE - According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a solar cell includes depositing a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming at least one solar cell on a first substrate; temporarily bonding a flexible film to a support second substrate; permanently bonding the sequence of layers of semiconductor material to the flexible film so that the flexible film is interposed between the first and second substrates; thinning the first substrate while bonded to the support substrate to expose the sequence of layers of semiconductor material; and subsequently removing the support substrate from the flexible film. | 06-07-2012 |
20120132250 | CONTACT LAYOUT AND STRING INTERCONNECTION OF INVERTED METAMORPHIC MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELLS - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell disposed adjacent the top surface of the multijunction solar cell; a middle second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell; a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; and a lower solar subcell adjacent to the interlayer; a metal contact layer adjacent to the lower solar subcell for making an electrical contact thereto; and a cut-out extending from a peripheral edge along the top surface of the solar cell to the metal contact layer to allow an electrical contact to be made to the lower subcell from the top surface of the solar cell. | 05-31-2012 |
20110289750 | Methods and Devices for Assembling a Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array - Methods and devices for assembling a terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array. The methods may include securing a torque tube to an alignment fixture by positioning a flange at an end of the torque tube over a shelf on the alignment fixture and positioning a section of the torque tube inward from the flange into a receptacle on the shelf of the alignment fixture. The method may include aligning and mounting a mount to the torque tube at a point along the torque tube inward from the end of the torque tube. The method may include aligning and mounting a solar cell module to the mount with the solar cell module including an array of lenses positioned over a set of corresponding receivers that include one or more III-V compound semiconductor solar cells. The method may include removing the torque tube from the alignment fixture after the solar cell module is mounted to the mount. The method may include aligning and mounting the torque tube to an end of a longitudinal support with the torque tube being coaxial with the longitudinal support and the solar cell module being able to rotate with the torque tube about a first axis that extends through the torque tube and the longitudinal support and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. | 12-01-2011 |
20110263067 | Methods of Forming a Concentrating Photovoltaic Module - Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The modules includes a housing formed from three separate members that are attached together to form an interior space. A top member extends across an open side of the housing and includes one or more lenses. One or more solar cell receivers are positioned within the interior space of the house and are aligned with one or more of the lenses to receive and convert the solar energy into electrical energy. | 10-27-2011 |
20110155217 | Concentrated Photovoltaic System Modules Using III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module. | 06-30-2011 |
20110048535 | Encapsulated Concentrated Photovoltaic System Subassembly for III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - A solar cell receiver subassembly for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell by a factor of 1000 or more for converting solar energy to electricity, including an optical element defining an optical channel, a solar cell receiver having a support; a solar cell mounted on the support adjacent to the optical element and in the optical path of the optical channel, the solar cell comprising one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers and capable of generating in excess of 20 watts of peak DC power; a diode mounted on the support and coupled in parallel with the solar cell; and first and second electrical contacts mounted on the support and coupled in parallel with the solar cell and the diode; and an encapsulant covering the support, the solar cell, the diode, and at least a portion of the exterior sides of the optical element. | 03-03-2011 |
20110041898 | Back Metal Layers in Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A multijunction solar cell comprising an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a middle second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap, and having a base layer and an emitter layer; a graded interlayer adjacent to said second solar subcell, having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; a lower solar subcell adjacent to the grading interlayer, having a fourth band gap smaller than said second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said second subcell; and a metal electrode layer deposited on said lower subcell and having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to that of the subcells. | 02-24-2011 |
20110030774 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells with Back Contacts - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing sequentially on the first substrate a plurality of semiconductor layers, the plurality of semiconductor layers comprising a first layer and a last layer in the direction of deposition; forming a backside contact layer on the last semiconductor layer; forming on the last semiconductor layer a back cathode contact isolated from at least a first portion of the backside contact layer, the first portion forming the anode contact; attaching a second substrate on the backside contact layer and removing the first substrate to expose the first semiconductor layer and to define a front surface and an opposite back surface of a solar cell; forming a front cathode contact on the front surface of the solar cell; etching a first trench through the plurality of semiconductor layers to define an active portion of the solar cell with a first mesa structure including the front cathode contact and the anode contact and being surrounded by the first trench, the first mesa having a first sidewall in the first trench and a lateral peripheral region beyond the sidewall, and forming in the lateral peripheral region an electrically conductive layer extending from the front surface where it is electrically connected to the front cathode contact along the first sidewall of the first trench to be electrically connected to the back cathode contact. | 02-10-2011 |
20110017285 | Solar Cell with Textured Coverglass - A solar cell including a semiconductor body including at least one photoactive junction, and a textured layer or coverglass having a textured surface disposed over the top surface of the semiconductor body. The textured layer may be between 200 and 1800 nm in thickness, and may have a graded index of refraction. | 01-27-2011 |
20100313954 | Concentrated Photovoltaic System Receiver for III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - According to an embodiment, a solar cell receiver for converting solar energy to electricity includes a ceramic substrate, a solar cell and a heat sink. The ceramic substrate has a first metallized surface and an opposing second metallized surface. The first metallized surface of the ceramic substrate has separated conductive regions. The solar cell has a conductive first surface connected to a first one of the conductive regions of the ceramic substrate and an opposing second surface having a conductive contact area connected to a second one of the conductive regions. The heat sink is bonded to the second metallized surface of the ceramic substrate with a thermally conductive attach media, such as a metal-filled epoxy adhesive or solder. | 12-16-2010 |
20100294337 | Periodic Alignment Adjustment Techniques for Terrestrial Solar Arrays - An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system may include motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun. An alignment analysis procedure, e.g., a find sun routine, is performed to ensure that the solar cell system is properly aligned with the sun during solar tracking. This procedure may sweep the solar cell system along determined paths (e.g., azimuth and elevation paths) while measuring an output parameter indicative of system performance. The measured data is analyzed to determine if the solar cell system is in misalignment in which case the solar cell system is moved into proper alignment. The alignment procedure may be implemented on a periodic basis or using triggers, and maybe automatically executed or manually executed. | 11-25-2010 |
20100282307 | Multijunction Solar Cells with Group IV/III-V Hybrid Alloys for Terrestrial Applications - A solar cell including a substrate; a first solar subcell composed of GeSiSn disposed over the substrate and having a first band gap; a second solar subcell composed of GaAs, InGaAsP, or InGaP and disposed over the first solar subcell having a second band gap greater than the first band gap and lattice matched to said first solar subcell; and a third solar subcell composed of GaInP and disposed over the second solar subcell having a third band gap greater than the second band gap and lattice matched with respect to the second subcell. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282306 | Multijunction Solar Cells with Group IV/III-V Hybrid Alloys - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a germanium semiconductor growth substrate; and depositing on the semiconductor growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell, including a subcell composed of a group IV/III-V hybrid alloy. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282305 | Inverted Multijunction Solar Cells with Group IV/III-V Hybrid Alloys - A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising providing a growth substrate; depositing on said growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell, including at least one subcell composed of a group IV/III-V hybrid alloy such as GeSiSn; and removing the semiconductor substrate. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282288 | Solar Cell Interconnection on a Flexible Substrate - A solar cell array comprising: a substrate having a carrier surface on which a plurality of electrically conductive bonding pads are provided, the bonding pads being spaced from one another along a main direction; a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell of the plurality including a back electrode bonded to a first portion of a respective bonding pad, wherein each bonding pad comprises a second portion defining an exposed contact region not covered by the back electrode of the respective solar cell, and wherein an interconnecting lead electrically connects the second portion of the bonding pad associated with a first solar cell with an electrode of a directly adjacent second solar cell. | 11-11-2010 |
20100248411 | Demounting of Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell including an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell by providing a first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on the substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over the first solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; forming a graded interlayer over the second subcell; forming a third solar subcell over the graded interlayer having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; attaching a surrogate second substrate over the third solar subcell and removing the first substrate; and etching a first trough around the periphery of the solar cell to the surrogate second substrate so as to form a mesa structure on the surrogate second substrate and facilitate the removal of the solar cell from the surrogate second substrate. | 09-30-2010 |
20100240171 | Method of Fabricating a Multijunction Solar Cell with a Phosphorus-Containing Nucleation Layer - A multijunction solar cell is fabricated according to an embodiment by providing a substrate, depositing a nucleation first layer over and directly in contact with the substrate, depositing a second layer containing an arsenic dopant over the nucleation layer and depositing a sequence of layers over the second layer forming at least one solar subcell. The nucleation layer serves as a diffusion barrier to the arsenic dopant such that diffusion of the arsenic dopant into the substrate is limited in depth by the nucleation layer. | 09-23-2010 |
20100236615 | Integrated Semiconductor Structure with a Solar Cell and a Bypass Diode - An integral semiconductor device having a sequence of layers of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device may include a first region in which the sequence of layers of semiconductor material forms at least one cell of a multijunction solar cell including a metamorphic layer with a graded lattice constant. The semiconductor device may also include a second region, spaced apart from the first region, in which the sequence of layers in the second region forms a support for a bypass diode that functions to pass current when the solar cell is shaded. | 09-23-2010 |
20100233839 | String Interconnection and Fabrication of Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on a first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell including at least a top subcell and a bottom subcell; mounting a surrogate substrate on top of the sequence of layers adjacent to the bottom subcell; removing the first substrate to expose the surface of the top subcell; removing the surrogate substrate; and holding the solar cell on a vacuum chuck to support it for subsequent fabrication operations, such as attaching interconnects to the solar cells to form an interconnected array. | 09-16-2010 |
20100233838 | Mounting of Solar Cells on a Flexible Substrate - According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a solar cell includes depositing a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming at least one solar cell on a first substrate; temporarily bonding a flexible film to a support second substrate; permanently bonding the sequence of layers of semiconductor material to the flexible film so that the flexible film is interposed between the first and second substrates; thinning the first substrate while bonded to the support substrate to expose the sequence of layers of semiconductor material; and subsequently removing the support substrate from the flexible film. | 09-16-2010 |
20100229947 | Optical Element with a Reflective Surface Coating for Use in a Concentrator Photovoltaic System - An optical element for use in a concentrating photovoltaic system for converting incident solar radiation to electrical energy. The optical element may include an entry aperture for receiving light beams from a primary focusing element, and an exit aperture for transmitting light beams to a solar cell. The optical element may also include an intermediate section whereby at least some of the light beams reflect off the intermediate section and are transmitted to the solar cell. This region may be composed of a layered structure with a first material layer having a first optical characteristic, and a second material layer having a second optical characteristic. The material composition and thickness of the layers may be adapted so that the reflectivity of the light beams off the surfaces and transmitted to the solar cell optimizes the aggregate irradiance on the surface of the solar cell over the incident solar spectrum. | 09-16-2010 |
20100229933 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells with a Supporting Coating - A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising providing a growth substrate; depositing on said growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; applying a coating layer over said sequence of layers; and removing the semiconductor substrate. | 09-16-2010 |
20100229932 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell comprising providing a first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on said substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over said first subcell having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; and forming a grading interlayer over said second subcell having a third band gap larger than said second band gap forming a third solar subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than said second band gap such that said third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said second subcell. | 09-16-2010 |
20100229926 | Four Junction Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cell with a Single Metamorphic Layer - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; the first graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; and a third solar subcell adjacent to the graded interlayer, the third subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell. A lower fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to the third subcell and lattice matched thereto, the lower fourth subcell having a fifth band gap smaller than the fourth band gap. | 09-16-2010 |
20100229913 | Contact Layout and String Interconnection of Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap disposed adjacent the top surface of the multijunction solar cell; a middle second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; the graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; and a lower solar subcell adjacent to the interlayer, the lower subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; a metal contact layer adjacent to the lower solar subcell for making an electrical contact thereto; and a cut-out extending from a peripheral edge along the top surface of the solar cell to the metal contact layer to allow an electrical contact to be made to the lower subcell from the top surface of the solar cell. | 09-16-2010 |
20100206365 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells on Low Density Carriers - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting and bonding a surrogate second substrate on top of the sequence of layers; removing the first substrate; and thinning a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart portions of the backside of the surrogate second substrate so as to reduce its weight. | 08-19-2010 |
20100203730 | Epitaxial Lift Off in Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A process for selectively freeing an epitaxial layer from a single crystal substrate upon which it was grown, by providing a first substrate; depositing a separation layer on said first substrate; depositing on said separation layer a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting and bonding a surrogate substrate on top of the sequence of layers; attaching a connecting link element to at least two opposed points on the periphery of the surrogate substrate; and etching said separation layer while applying tension to said link element so as to remove said epitaxial layer from said first substrate. | 08-12-2010 |
20100186804 | String Interconnection of Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells on Flexible Perforated Carriers - A method of forming a multijunction solar cell string by providing a first multijunction solar cell including a contact pad disposed adjacent the top surface of the multijunction solar cell along a first peripheral edge thereof; providing a second multijunction solar cell disposed adjacent said first multijunction solar cell, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and including a cut-out extending from a second peripheral edge along the top surface of the second solar cell located adjacent the first peripheral edge of said first multijunction solar cell, and extending to a metal contact layer adjacent the bottom surface of said second multijunction solar cell to allow an electrical contact to be made to the metal contact layer; mounting said first and said second multijunction solar cells on a first side of a perforated carrier; attaching a first electrical interconnect to the contact pad of said first multijunction solar cell, the electrical interconnect extending through said perforated carrier; attaching a second electrical interconnect to the metal contact layer of said second multijunction solar cell, the electrical interconnect extending through said perforated carrier; and connecting said first electrical interconnect to said second electrical interconnect. | 07-29-2010 |
20100170559 | System and Method for the Generation of Electrical Power from Sunlight - A system for the generation of electrical power from sunlight includes a solar cell assembly with at least two sets of solar cells, each of these sets being adapted to a set-specific light frequency spectrum so as to convert light having said set-specific frequency spectrum into electrical energy with an optimized energy conversion efficiency. The system is arranged to respond to changes in the frequency spectrum of the sunlight, for example, in accordance with the time of the day, by causing the sunlight to selectively impinge on one or another of the different sets of solar cells. Thus, an enhanced energy conversion efficiency of the system is obtained. | 07-08-2010 |
20100151618 | Growth Substrates for Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a gallium arsenide carrier with a prepared bonding surface; providing a sapphire substrate; bonding the gallium arsenide carrier and the sapphire substrate to produce a composite structure; detaching the bulk of the gallium arsenide carrier from the composite structure, leaving a gallium arsenide growth substrate on the sapphire substrate; and depositing a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell on the growth substrate. For some solar cells, the method further includes mounting a surrogate second substrate on top of the sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; and removing the growth substrate. | 06-17-2010 |
20100147372 | VIA STRUCTURES IN SOLAR CELLS WITH BYPASS DIODE - A solar cell including a semiconductor body with a multijunction solar cell and an integral bypass diode, at least one via extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the semiconductor body and electrically conducting elements of the solar cell. | 06-17-2010 |
20100147366 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells with Distributed Bragg Reflector - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a middle second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap, and having a base layer and an emitter layer, a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; the graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than said second band gap; a third solar subcell adjacent to the interlayer, the third subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) adjacent the second or third subcell. | 06-17-2010 |
20100139752 | SOLAR CELL RECEIVER HAVING AN INSULATED BYPASS DIODE - A solar cell receiver comprising a solar cell having one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers, a diode coupled in parallel with the solar cell and operable to be forward-biased in instances when the solar cell is not generating above a threshold voltage, a coating substantially encapsulating the diode, an undercoating that substantially eliminates any air gap between the anode and cathode of the diode, and a connector adapted to couple to other solar cell receivers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100122764 | Surrogate Substrates for Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on a first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting and bonding a surrogate second substrate composed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to that of the semiconductor layer on top of the sequence of layers; and removing the first substrate. | 05-20-2010 |
20100122724 | Four Junction Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cell with Two Metamorphic Layers - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; a first graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar subcell; the first graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; and a third solar subcell adjacent to the first graded interlayer, the third subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell. A second graded interlayer is provided adjacent to the third solar subcell; the second graded interlayer having a fifth band gap greater than the fourth band gap; and a lower fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to the second graded interlayer, the lower fourth subcell having a sixth band gap smaller than the fourth band gap such that the fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the third subcell. | 05-20-2010 |
20100108860 | Techniques for Monitoring Solar Array Performance and Applications Thereof - An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine. | 05-06-2010 |
20100102202 | Solar Tracking for Terrestrial Solar Arrays with Variable Start and Stop Positions - An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system includes motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun, wherein a first motor adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and a second motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to that surface. The method includes (a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time; (b) using a computer model to determine respective positions for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time; and (c) activating and operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun. The future time may correspond to any time during operation. An initial future time may correspond to a start up time after sunrise at which point the solar cell is to begin tracking the sun. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102201 | Solar Tracking for Terrestrial Solar Arrays - An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system includes motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun, wherein a first motor adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and a second motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to that surface. The method includes (a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time; (b) using a computer model to determine respective positions for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time; and (c) activating and operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102200 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array - A terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array that may include an elongated frame configured to mount solar cell modules in a longitudinally-extending and spaced-apart arrangement. The frame is able to rotate each of the solar cell modules along a first axis to simultaneously track the elevation of the sun during the course of a day. The frame is also able to rotate each solar cell array module along second axes that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis to track the azimuthal position of the sun during the course of the day. | 04-29-2010 |
20100101632 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array With Offset Solar Cell Modules - Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic arrays that may include a modular design that is sized and weighted to facilitate installation with a small amount of manpower. The array may further be adapted to be adjusted during or after installation to accommodate the necessary power requirements. The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array may include a torque tube that may be constructed of discrete sections. A drive may be connected to the torque tube to rotate the torque tube. A number of solar cell modules may be connected to the torque tube. The modules may be positioned at offsetting angular orientations depending upon their distance away from the drive. This offset positioning compensates for twisting distortion of the torque tube caused by the drive rotating the torque tube. At one point of rotation, each of the solar cell modules may be substantially aligned in a common plane. | 04-29-2010 |
20100101630 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array with Slew Speed Reducer - A terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array with a longitudinal support that may be constructed of discrete sections. The overall length of the array may be adjusted depending upon the necessary size of the array. A drive may be configured to rotate the longitudinal support about a first axis. The drive may include a slew speed reducer. Solar cell modules are positioned along the longitudinal support and may each include a rectangular case with a plurality of lenses that are positioned over corresponding receivers. Linkages may be connected to frames and are axially movable along the longitudinal support to rotate the solar cell modules within second planes that are each orthogonal to the first plane to further track the sun during the course of the day. | 04-29-2010 |
20100101625 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array - The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array includes a longitudinal support that may be constructed of discrete sections. The overall length of the array may be adjusted depending upon the necessary size of the array. A drive may be configured to rotate the longitudinal support in first and second directions about a first axis. Solar cell modules are positioned along the longitudinal support and may each include a rectangular case with a plurality of lenses that are positioned over corresponding receivers. Linkages may be connected to the solar cell modules and are axially movable along the longitudinal support to rotate the solar cell modules within second planes that each orthogonal to the first plane to further track the sun during the course of the day. The array may be configured to facilitate rotation about the first axis. The array may be constructed with a center of gravity of the array to extending through the longitudinal support. | 04-29-2010 |
20100093127 | Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cell Mounted on Metallized Flexible Film - A method of manufacturing a mounted solar cell by providing a metallic flexible film having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion; and attaching the semiconductor solar cell to the metallic film, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the semiconductor body closely matching the predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic film. | 04-15-2010 |
20100047959 | Epitaxial Lift Off on Film Mounted Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A process for selectively freeing an epitaxial layer from a single crystal substrate upon which it was grown, by providing a first substrate; depositing a separation layer on the first substrate; depositing on the separation layer a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting and bonding a thin flexible support having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially greater than that of the adjacent semiconductor material on top of the sequence of layers at an elevated temperature; and etching the separation layer while the temperature of the support and layers of semiconductor material decrease, so that the support and the attached layer curls away from the first substrate in view of their differences in coefficient of thermal expansion, so as to remove the epitaxial layer from the substrate. | 02-25-2010 |
20100041178 | Demounting of Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A method of forming a multifunction solar cell including an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell by providing a first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on the substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over the first solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; forming a graded interlayer over the second subcell, the graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; forming a third solar subcell over the graded interlayer having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; attaching a surrogate second substrate over the third solar subcell and removing the first substrate; and etching a first trough around the periphery of the solar cell to the surrogate second substrate so as to form a mesa structure on the surrogate second substrate and facilitate the removal of said solar cell from the surrogate second substrate. | 02-18-2010 |
20100037935 | Concentrated Photovoltaic System Modules Using III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - A solar cell module to convert light to electricity. The module may include a housing with a first side and an opposing spaced-apart second side. A plurality of lenses may be positioned on the first side of the housing, and a plurality of solar cell receivers may be positioned on the second side of the housing. Each of the plurality of solar cell receivers may include a III-V compound semiconductor multifunction solar cell. Each may also include a bypass diode coupled with the solar cell. At least one optical element may be positioned above the solar cell to guide the light from one of the lenses onto the solar cell. Each of said solar cell receivers may be disposed in an optical path of one of the lenses. The lens and the at least one optical element may concentrate the light onto the respective solar cell by a factor of 1000 or more to generate in excess of 25 watts of peak power. | 02-18-2010 |
20100012175 | Ohmic n-contact formed at low temperature in inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells - A method of forming a multifunction solar cell including an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell by providing a substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on the substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over the first solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; forming a graded interlayer over the second subcell, the graded interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; forming a third solar subcell over the graded interlayer having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell; and forming a contact composed of a sequence of layers over the first subcell at a temperature of 280° C. or less and having a contact resistance of less than 5×10 | 01-21-2010 |
20090272430 | Refractive Index Matching in Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction Solar Cells - A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap; a middle second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap and having a base layer and an adjacent emitter layer, wherein the other layer adjacent to the emitter layer has an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the emitter layer; a graded interlayer adjacent to the second solar having a third band gap greater than said second band gap; and a lower solar subcell adjacent to the interlayer, and having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap, the third subcell being lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell. | 11-05-2009 |