The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2009
Isik C. Kizilyalli, San Francisco, CA (US);
Melissa Archer, Mountain View, CA (US);
Harry Atwater, South Pasadena, CA (US);
Thomas J. Gmitter, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Gang He, Cupertino, CA (US);
Andreas Hegedus, Burlingame, CA (US);
Gregg Higashi, San Jose, CA (US);
Isik C. Kizilyalli, San Francisco, CA (US);
Melissa Archer, Mountain View, CA (US);
Harry Atwater, South Pasadena, CA (US);
Thomas J. Gmitter, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Gang He, Cupertino, CA (US);
Andreas Hegedus, Burlingame, CA (US);
Gregg Higashi, San Jose, CA (US);
Alta Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit may have all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing and increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer formed at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.