Patent ID: 8563850
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A tandem photovoltaic cell device comprising: a lower cell configured for substantial independent operation of an upper cell, the lower cell comprising: a lower glass substrate material; a lower electrode layer made of a reflective material overlying the glass material; a lower absorber layer overlying the lower electrode layer, the absorber layer made of a first semiconductor material having a first band gap energy (Eg) in a range of 0.7 to 1.1 eV; a lower window layer overlying the lower absorber layer; a lower transparent conductive oxide layer overlying the lower window layer; a first optical coupling material comprising first ethylene vinyl acetate overlying the lower transparent conductive oxide layer; the upper cell coupled to the lower cell, the upper cell comprising: an intermediary glass substrate material, the intermediary glass substrate material comprising a thickness, a lower surface, and an upper surface, the thickness being about 1.1 millimeter and less, the lower surface being overlying the optical coupling material; a first upper transparent conductor layer overlying the upper surface of the intermediary glass substrate material; an upper p type absorber layer overlying the first upper transparent conductor layer, the p type absorber layer made of a second semiconductor material having a second band gap energy (Eg) in a range of 1.5 to 1.9 eV; an upper n type window layer overlying the upper p type absorber layer; a second upper transparent conductive oxide layer overlying the upper n type window layer; a second optical coupling material comprising first ethylene vinyl acetate overlying the second upper transparent conductive oxide layer; and an upper glass material overlying the upper transparent conductive oxide layer; a first edge sealing material provided between the lower glass substrate material and the lower surface of the intermediary glass substrate material; and a second edge sealing material provided between the upper glass material and the upper surface of the intermediary glass substrate material.