Patent ID: 6706959
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: C30B,H01L,H02S,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A photovoltaic apparatus comprising:(a) a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each being of an approximately spherical shape and including a fir St semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer which is located outside the first semiconductor layer, for generating photoelectromotive force between the first and second semiconductor layers, the second semiconductor layer having an opening through which a portion of the first semiconductor layer is exposed; and (b) a support including a first conductor, a second conductor, and an insulator disposed between the first and second conductors for electrically insulting the first and second conductors from each other, the support having a plurality of recesses which are arranged adjacent to each other and of which inside surfaces are constituted by the first conductor or a coating formed thereon, the photoelectric conversion elements being disposed in the respective recesses so that the photoelectric conversion elements are illuminated with light reflected by part of the first conductor or coating formed thereon which constitutes the recess, the first conductor being electrically connected to the second semiconductor layers of the photoelectric conversion elements, and the second conductor being electrically connected to the exposed portion of the first semiconductor layers.