Patent ID: 6468828
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for fabricating a photovoltaic module having an enhanced absorption of light of a wavelength &lgr;, said method comprising:providing an electrically insulating substrate; disposing a layer of electrically conductive, bottom electrode material on said substrate; removing selected portions of said bottom electrode material so as to define a plurality of spaced apart bottom electrodes which are electrically isolated from one another; depositing a body of photovoltaic material onto said substrate so as to cover said plurality of bottom electrodes; selecting a wavelength of light &lgr; at which the absorption of light, by said photovoltaic module, is to be enhanced; calculating the thickness T of a layer of transparent, electrically conductive top electrode material which is to be deposited upon said body of photovoltaic material according to the formula: T=3&it;â€ƒ&it;Î»4&it;n,wherein &lgr; is said selected wavelength of light, and n is the index of refraction of said top electrode material at &lgr;;depositing said layer of transparent, electrically conductive top electrode material, having said thickness T, upon said body of photovoltaic material; whereby said layer of transparent, electrically conductive top electrode material establishes an anti-reflective condition for said wavelength of light &lgr; thereby enhancing the absorption of said wavelength of light by said body of photovoltaic material; removing portions of said layer of top electrode material so as to define a plurality of spaced apart top electrodes, each top electrode having a major portion which overlies a corresponding bottom electrode, and is spaced apart therefrom by said body of photovoltaic material, and each top electrode further including a minor portion which overlies a minor portion of an adjacent bottom electrode, and is spaced apart therefrom by said body of photovoltaic material; forming a plurality of electrically conductive shunts through said body of photovoltaic material, each of said shunts having higher electrical conductivity than does said body of photovoltaic material, each shunt establishing electrical communication between the minor portion of a respective one of said top electrodes, and the minor portion of an adjacent bottom electrode whereby a series electrical communication is established between a plurality of photovoltaic cells.