Invention Description
Solar cell fabrication requires the use of transparent conductive oxides on the front face (sun facing side) and rear contact to provide a current path for operation. Typically, only one layer of Indium Tin Oxide is sputtered from an alloy composition target,
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technology that involves the development and optimization of multilayer thin films deposited on silicon or glass substrates, designed to combine high optical transparency with low electrical resistance. This innovation provides precise control of the thickness of the layers to tune them to admit desired radiation while reflecting undesirable wavelengths, to reduce photovoltaic cell operating temperatures and enhance electrical performance without the required use of ITO on the front or rear contact.
These multilayer films achieve outstanding transmittance and conductivity, while maintaining superior mechanical flexibility and durability, suitable for next-generation lower cost solar applications as one example.
Potential Applications
- Applies to current and future Solar Cell technologies (PERC, SHJ, TopCon, and Perovskite composites) as used in residential, power grid and automotive applications
- Applies to fixed display systems as well as mobile handheld devices
Benefits and Advantages
- Simultaneously provides a planar embedded solution for the current carrying function while improving photon admittance
- Provides a low-cost alternative method for display systems and touchscreen devices, such as notebooks, iPads, and cell phones
- Reduces Solar cell shading and also easing the downstream test constraints being imposed as buss bar count is increased
- Global Indium supplies are limited, both Indium and Tin are relatively expensive as compared to alternate TCO options used in this invention