EP 4052305 A4 20231115 - IN-SITU RAPID ANNEALING AND OPERATION OF SOLAR CELLS FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENT APPLICATIONS
Title (en)
IN-SITU RAPID ANNEALING AND OPERATION OF SOLAR CELLS FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENT APPLICATIONS
Title (de)
SCHNELLES IN-SITU-TEMPERN UND BETRIEB VON SOLARZELLEN FÜR EXTREME UMGEBUNGSANWENDUNGEN
Title (fr)
RECUIT RAPIDE IN-SITU ET FONCTIONNEMENT DE CELLULES SOLAIRES POUR APPLICATIONS EN ENVIRONNEMENT EXTRÊME
Publication
Application
Priority
- US 201962928277 P 20191030
- US 2020058317 W 20201030
Abstract (en)
[origin: WO2021087331A1] Method and apparatus for annealing micro-scale or macro solar cells that can contain lithium or hydrogen. Heaters, a current that is applied in forward or reverse direction, or open-circuiting the cells are used optionally with a laser or other light source to increase the temperature of the cells to perform periodic anneals to recover energy conversion efficiency lost due to environmental conditions such as radiation damage and maintain desired operational conditions. Larger amounts of additional energy are harvested with the improved efficiency of the cells. Illuminating the cells with specific wavelengths of light can enhance the diffusion of the lithium or hydrogen, or their binding and unbinding from dopants or defects, in the silicon lattice. The lithium or hydrogen can diffuse into the cells via their inclusion in the polysilicon layer forming a tunneling oxide passivated contact. Dopants in the silicon can reduce annealing time and temperature.
IPC 8 full level
H01L 31/041 (2014.01); B64G 1/44 (2006.01); H01L 31/0288 (2006.01); H01L 31/068 (2012.01); H01L 31/0745 (2012.01); H01L 31/078 (2012.01); H01L 31/18 (2006.01); H02S 40/40 (2014.01)
CPC (source: EP)
B64G 1/443 (2013.01); H01L 31/0288 (2013.01); H01L 31/041 (2014.12); H01L 31/0682 (2013.01); H01L 31/0745 (2013.01); H01L 31/078 (2013.01); H01L 31/182 (2013.01); H01L 31/186 (2013.01); H01L 31/1864 (2013.01); H10N 10/13 (2023.02); Y02E 10/546 (2013.01); Y02P 70/50 (2015.11)
Citation (search report)
- [L] US 2020035853 A1 20200130 - OKANDAN MURAT [US], et al
- [X] US 2017330992 A1 20171116 - LIAU CHUNG-CHI [TW], et al
- [X] KR 20180095413 A 20180827 - LG ELECTRONICS INC [KR]
- [X] STATLER R. L.: "Radiation damage and annealing of lithium-doped silicon solar cells", JPL PROC. OF THE FOURTH ANN. CONF. ON EFFECTS OF LITHIUM DOPING ON SILICON SOLAR CELLS, 15 September 1971 (1971-09-15), pages 91 - 98, XP093089191
- See also references of WO 2021087331A1
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
DOCDB simple family (publication)
WO 2021087331 A1 20210506; EP 4052305 A1 20220907; EP 4052305 A4 20231115
DOCDB simple family (application)
US 2020058317 W 20201030; EP 20882338 A 20201030