Bifacial Solar Cell

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a double-sided solar cell structure that incorporates metal oxide nanorods within the active layer. These nanorods are designed with a tapering cross-section, wider at the base (next to the front contact) and narrowing toward the second contact, with their tips forming point contacts. This nanostructure helps reduce unwanted reflections, improves charge carrier transport, and allows the solar cell to be efficiently illuminated from both sides, leading to improved performance using less absorber material and potentially simplifying manufacturing.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Rooftop and facade solar panel installations that benefit from light from both sides (e.g., on transparent or semi-transparent surfaces)
• Building-integrated photovoltaics for windows, skylights, or facades
• Solar farms with bifacial panels to capture reflected light from the ground
• Portable or wearable solar power devices needing thin, efficient cells
• Automotive applications such as transparent or semi-transparent vehicle roofs

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Higher efficiency due to reduced reflection and improved light absorption from both sides
• Reduced quantity of expensive absorber material needed, lowering costs
• Simplified manufacturing by removing the need for certain buffer layers
• Improved carrier transport through point contacts for better electrical performance
• Flexible design compatible with various materials (e.g., silicon, chalcogenide semiconductors, organic materials)
• Potential for integration into tandem or stacked solar cell architectures

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

In the case of a double-sided solar cell, which has at least a transparent substrate (1) on which a TCO layer is arranged as first contact (2), on which there is located an active layer (4) which is provided with a further TCO layer as second contact (5), metal oxide nanorods (3) having a cross section tapering in the direction of the second contact (5) are arranged according to the invention in the active layer (4), wherein the base area of the metal oxide nanorods (3) with the larger cross section rests directly against the first contact (2) and the active layer (4) covers the entire height of the metal oxide nanorods (3), wherein the tips of the metal oxide nanorods (3) form point contacts.