Patent ID: 7952018
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A stacked photovoltaic apparatus comprising: a first power generation unit including a first semiconductor layer functioning as a photoelectric conversion layer; a second power generation unit including a first conductive type second semiconductor layer formed on said first power generation unit and having a first refractive index, a third semiconductor layer of a substantially intrinsic amorphous semiconductor formed on said second semiconductor layer for functioning as another photoelectric conversion layer, and a second conductive type fourth semiconductor layer formed on said third semiconductor layer; an intermediate layer formed between said first power generation unit and said second power generation unit and having a second refractive index; and a reflection promotive layer formed between said intermediate layer and said second semiconductor layer of said second power generation unit and having a third refractive index such that the difference between said third refractive index and said first refractive index of said second semiconductor layer is larger than the difference between said second refractive index of said intermediate layer and said first refractive index of said second semiconductor layer, and wherein said reflection promotive layer is formed so as to cover all of a surface of said intermediate layer; wherein said intermediate layer includes a metal oxide layer, and said metal oxide layer constituting said intermediate layer includes a first portion having a first oxygen concentration and a second portion, positioned closer to said reflection promotive layer, having a second oxygen concentration lower than said first oxygen concentration of said first portion.