Mobil Solar Energy Corporation

Mobil Tyco Solar Energy Corporation

Fritz Wald

Juris P Kalejs

Jacob Murad

An improved solar cell of the type including a semiconductor substrate having a shallow p-n junction adjacent its front surface, a rear electrode affixed in adherent mechanical and electrical contact with the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a front generally grid-shaped electrode including an array of narrow, elongate, parallel fingers and at least one bus bar extending at right angles to the fingers in electrical contact therewith affixed in mechanically adherent and low resistance electrical contact with the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The improvement includes the removal of the bus bar portion of the front grid-shaped electrode from intimate mechanical and electrical contact with the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The improvement increases the open circuit voltage and efficiency of the solar cell, and allows the bus bar portion of the grid shaped electrode to be formed of materials different from the finger portions of that electrode thereby providing cost advantages and design flexibility without detriment to solar cell efficiency. A method of making the improved solar cell also is disclosed.

Solar cell and method of making same

The invention pertains to growth of silicon bodies from a melt and comprises enveloping the liquid/solid interface with a mixture of an inert gas and more than a trace amount of a carbon-containing gas. The carbon-containing gas may be a compound of carbon and oxygen such as CO or CO.sub.2, and oxygen gas also may be introduced to the growth zone.

Control of atmosphere surrounding crystal growth zone

The invention provides light sensitive electronic devices wherein cadmium telluride films are supported on iron substrates.

Growing community of inventors

Wayland, MA, United States of America

Fritz Wald