GB2553163A - Composition and device - Google Patents
Composition and device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2553163A GB2553163A GB1700981.2A GB201700981A GB2553163A GB 2553163 A GB2553163 A GB 2553163A GB 201700981 A GB201700981 A GB 201700981A GB 2553163 A GB2553163 A GB 2553163A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- mol
- glass composition
- glass
- layer
- less
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 129
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 154
- 229910000311 lanthanide oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- CMIHHWBVHJVIGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N gadolinium(III) oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Gd+3].[Gd+3] CMIHHWBVHJVIGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Na2O Inorganic materials [O-2].[Na+].[Na+] KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000008393 encapsulating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002620 polyvinyl fluoride Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910021421 monocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- WMWLMWRWZQELOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N bismuth(iii) oxide Chemical compound O=[Bi]O[Bi]=O WMWLMWRWZQELOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 10
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 2
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 29
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 description 13
- 229910000416 bismuth oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- TYIXMATWDRGMPF-UHFFFAOYSA-N dibismuth;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Bi+3].[Bi+3] TYIXMATWDRGMPF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000006059 cover glass Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229910001938 gadolinium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 229940075613 gadolinium oxide Drugs 0.000 description 6
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 6
- DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N but-3-enoic acid;ethene Chemical compound C=C.OC(=O)CC=C DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000006121 base glass Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000005368 silicate glass Substances 0.000 description 4
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000005329 float glass Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006060 molten glass Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Orthosilicate Chemical compound [O-][Si]([O-])([O-])[O-] BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002189 fluorescence spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-phenyl-2h-tetrazole Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1C1=NNN=N1 MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012935 Averaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052693 Europium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- FUJCRWPEOMXPAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Li2O Inorganic materials [Li+].[Li+].[O-2] FUJCRWPEOMXPAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- -1 Tb2O3 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052771 Terbium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000013590 bulk material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 210000003850 cellular structure Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 150000004770 chalcogenides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004040 coloring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001940 conductive polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021419 crystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- XUCJHNOBJLKZNU-UHFFFAOYSA-M dilithium;hydroxide Chemical compound [Li+].[Li+].[OH-] XUCJHNOBJLKZNU-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- NLQFUUYNQFMIJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N dysprosium(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Dy]O[Dy]=O NLQFUUYNQFMIJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004993 emission spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N europium atom Chemical compound [Eu] OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001506 fluorescence spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005350 fused silica glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052732 germanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N germanium atom Chemical compound [Ge] GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000007496 glass forming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009616 inductively coupled plasma Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052741 iridium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iridium atom Chemical compound [Ir] GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052747 lanthanoid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002602 lanthanoids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021423 nanocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000004611 spectroscopical analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000601 superalloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GZCRRIHWUXGPOV-UHFFFAOYSA-N terbium atom Chemical compound [Tb] GZCRRIHWUXGPOV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052723 transition metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000003624 transition metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FIXNOXLJNSSSLJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ytterbium(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Yb]O[Yb]=O FIXNOXLJNSSSLJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C3/00—Glass compositions
- C03C3/04—Glass compositions containing silica
- C03C3/076—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight
- C03C3/095—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight containing rare earths
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C3/00—Glass compositions
- C03C3/04—Glass compositions containing silica
- C03C3/076—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight
- C03C3/083—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight containing aluminium oxide or an iron compound
- C03C3/085—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight containing aluminium oxide or an iron compound containing an oxide of a divalent metal
- C03C3/087—Glass compositions containing silica with 40% to 90% silica, by weight containing aluminium oxide or an iron compound containing an oxide of a divalent metal containing calcium oxide, e.g. common sheet or container glass
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C2201/00—Glass compositions
- C03C2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
- C03C2201/30—Doped silica-based glasses containing metals
- C03C2201/34—Doped silica-based glasses containing metals containing rare earth metals
- C03C2201/3452—Gadolinium
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
A glass composition is disclosed which comprises: 60 to 80 mol% SiO2; 0 to 5 mol% A12O3; 8 to 18 mol% Na2O; 2 to 15 mol% CaO; 0 to 8 mol% MgO; > 0 to 1 mol% Bi2O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of a lanthanide oxide; wherein the molar ratio of Bi2O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1. The lanthanide oxide may be Gd2O3. The glass composition is suitable for use in solar energy applications. The disclsoure also relates to a photovoltaic device.
Description
(71) Applicant(s):
Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
5th Floor, 25 Farringdon Street, LONDON, EC4A4AB,
United Kingdom
Solar Capture Technologies Limited PV Technical Centre, Albert Street, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 1LZ, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):
Benjamin Luke Allsopp Paul Adrian Bingham Jonathan Booth Simon Johnson Robin Orman (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Johnson Matthey Technology Centre
Blount's Court Road, Sonning Common, READING,
Berkshire, RG4 9NH, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:
C03C 3/095 (2006.01) H01L 31/042 (2014.01) (56) Documents Cited:
GB 1262799 A WO 2013/132116 A
DE 102009029086 A (58) Field of Search:
INT CL C03C
Other: WPI EPODOC SADIQ (54) Title of the Invention: Composition and device
Abstract Title: Glass composition for solar energy applications (57) A glass composition is disclosed which comprises: 60 to 80 mol% SiO2; 0 to 5 mol% A12O3; 8 to 18 mol% Na2O; 2 to 15 mol% CaO; 0 to 8 mol% MgO; > 0 to 1 mol% Bi2O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of a lanthanide oxide; wherein the molar ratio of Bi2O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1. The lanthanide oxide may be Gd2O3. The glass composition is suitable for use in solar energy applications. The disclsoure also relates to a photovoltaic device.
FIG. 1
This print incorporates corrections made under Section 117(1) of the Patents Act 1977.
/3
§ i § ws / A? issjsjiis §
FIG. 1
--,, •Xw,xx^s.
'•'•'•ΧΧνχχ.χχ^ς
B 8 e
SO 0* so SO
2/3
C o
rs* ϊϊ
X <<ζ os ii
Mf
Us \ ΛΪ \
so <0 xO w
*· ^^'«'-,,xU>Xxx _±™:2Sisx.;
B «*» yw / Ausu&i <0
5γΰ *O
SO \ί· <0 £S
*.£
4>
£
Oi »>x
Si
Ss
FIG. 2 ”X\ ¢0
I
3/3
FIG. 3
COMPOSITION AND DEVICE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a glass composition suitable for use in solar energy applications. The present invention also relates to a photovoltaic device.
Background of the Invention
The use of photovoltaic systems, such as solar modules, for the generation of electrical power is becoming increasingly popular and there is a global drive to reduce costs and increase efficiencies.
Solar modules comprise an assembly of solar cells typically covered by a sheet of glass (the cover glass). The cover glass provides protection from harsh environmental conditions and protects the sensitive components of solar cells from water and humidity ingress.
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, are semiconductor devices that are able to convert sunlight into electrical power. The most commonly used solar cells are wafer-based cells made of crystalline silicon, such as polycrystalline silicon or monocrystalline silicon. Alternatively, solar cells may be thin film solar cells, which are made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate, such as glass.
Solar cells suffer from an inherent inefficiency in that, typically, they are only able to convert a portion of the solar spectrum to electricity. This portion of the spectrum is the longer wavelength, lower energy portion of the spectrum, which means that the shorter wavelength, higher energy portion, in particular the ultraviolet (UV) portion is wasted. Further, exposure to UV radiation may result in degradation of solar cell components over time, thereby limiting the lifetime of solar cells.
US 3591420 describes a solar radiation converter comprising a cover glass member comprising fused silica doped with a phosphor material. By employing the phosphor material in the cover glass member, UV radiation impinging on the glass is converted to fluorescent radiation within the wavelength range to which the cell will respond to for the generation of electrical energy. The phosphors disclosed are terbium (Tb3+) and europium (Eu3+).
It has been found that the inclusion of bismuth oxide dopants in silicate-based glass compositions may provide a glass which produces fluorescence in the visible region of the solar spectrum (approximately 400-700nm) when excited by UV light, i.e. it has the effect of down-shifting UV light to a lower energy.
There remains a need in the art for improved glass compositions for use in photovoltaic applications.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a glass composition comprising:
to 80 mol% S1O2;
to 5 mol% AI2O3;
to 18 mol% Na2O;
to 15 mol% CaO;
to 8 mol% MgO;
> 0 to 1 mol% B12O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of a lanthanide oxide;
wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photovoltaic device comprising:
a photovoltaic layer having a light-receiving front side and an opposite back side and comprising at least one solar cell; and a layer of glass covering at least a portion of the light-receiving front side of the photovoltaic layer;
wherein the glass has a composition comprising:
to 80 mol% S1O2;
to 5 mol% AI2O3;
to 18 mol% Na2O;
to 15 mol% CaO;
to 8 mol% MgO;
> 0 to 1 mol% B12O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of a lanthanide oxide;
wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1.
The present inventors have found that in silicate-based glass compositions the inclusion of a lanthanide oxide dopant, for example a gadolinium oxide dopant, in addition to a bismuth oxide dopant enhances fluorescence produced in the visible region when the glass is exposed to UV light. Advantageously, when such a glass is used in a photovoltaic apparatus, for example, as a cover glass for a solar module, increased efficiency of the solar module may be achieved. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the fluorescence exhibited may provide additional visible light to the solar cell for conversion to electricity; thus, increased current may be generated. Further, degradation of solar cell and solar module components caused by exposure to UV radiation is reduced. Thus, the present invention may provide photovoltaic devices having increased efficiency and increased service lifetime.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows fluorescence spectra of a silicate glass doped with 0.2 mol% bismuth oxide and a silicate glass doped with 0.2 mol% bismuth oxide and 0.1 mol% gadolinium oxide.
Figure 2 shows fluorescence spectra of a silicate glass doped with 0.1 mol% bismuth oxide and 0.1 mol% gadolinium oxide and a silicate glass doped with 0.1 mol% bismuth oxide and 0.2 mol% gadolinium oxide.
Figure 3 shows the configuration of layers of material for preparation of a solar module.
Detailed Description
Preferred and/or optional features of the invention will now be set out. Any aspect of the invention may be combined with any other aspect of the invention unless the context demands otherwise. Any of the preferred and/or optional features of any aspect may be combined, either singly or in combination, with any aspect of the invention unless the context demands otherwise.
The glass composition described herein is given as mole percentages. The mole percentages are the mole percentages of the components used as starting materials in preparation of the glass compositions, on an oxide basis. As the skilled person will understand, starting materials such as oxides or carbonates may be used in preparing the glass composition of the present invention. Where a non-oxide starting material is used to supply a particular element to the glass composition, an appropriate amount of starting material is used to supply an equivalent molar quantity of the element had the oxide of that element been supplied at the recited mol%. This approach to defining glass compositions is typical in the art. As the skilled person will readily understand, volatile species (such as oxygen) may be lost during the manufacturing process of the glass, and so the composition of the resulting glass may not correspond exactly to the mole percentages of starting materials, which are given herein on an oxide basis.
Analysis of a glass composition by a process known to those skilled in the art, such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES), can be used to calculate the mol% of the starting materials of the glass composition in question.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises 60 to 80 mol% SiO2. The glass composition may comprise at least 65 mol%, at least 67 mol%, at least 68 mol% or at least 69mol% S1O2 The glass composition may comprise 75 mol% or less, 72 mol% or less, or 70 mol% or less SiCk. For example, the glass composition may comprise 65 to 75 mol% SiCk.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises 0 to 5 mol% AI2O3. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.1 mol%, at least 0.2 mol%, at least 0.3 mol%, at least 0.5 mol%, at least 1 mol%, at least 1.5 mol%, or at least 2 mol% AI2O3 The glass composition may comprise 4 mol% or less, 3 mol% or less, 2 mol% or less, or 1 mol% or less AI2O3. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0.5 to 2 mol% AI2O3.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises 8 to 18 mol% Na2O. The glass composition may comprise at least 10 mol%, at least 12 mol%, or at least 13 mol% Na2O. The glass composition may comprise 16 mol% or less, 15 mol% or less, or 14 mol% or less Na2O. For example, the glass composition may comprise 12 to 15 mol%Na2O.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises 1 to 15 mol% CaO. The glass composition may comprise at least 1.5 mol%, at least 2 mol%, or at least2.5 mol% CaO. The glass composition may comprise 12 mol% or less, 10 mol% or less, or 9 mol% or less CaO. For example, the glass composition may comprise 2 to 10 mol% CaO.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises 0 to 8 mol% MgO. The glass composition may comprise at least 1 mol%, at least 2 mol%, or at least 3 mol% MgO. The glass composition may comprise 7 mol% or less, 6 mol% or less, or 5 mol% or less MgO. For example, the glass composition may comprise 2 to 7 mol% MgO.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises greater than 0 to 1 mol% B12O3. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.025 mol%, at least 0.05 mol%, at least 0.075 mol%, at least 0.1 mol%, at least 0.2 mol%, or at least 0.5 mol% B12O3 The glass composition may comprise 0.75 mol% or less, 0.5 mol% or less, or 0.3 mol% or less B12O3. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0.05 to 0.5 mol% B12O3.
The glass composition according to the present invention comprises greater than 0 to 1 mol% of a lanthanide oxide. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.025 mol%, at least 0.05 mol%, at least 0.075 mol%, at least 0.1 mol%, at least 0.2 mol%, or at least 0.5 mol% lanthanide oxide. The glass composition may comprise 0.75 mol% or less, 0.5 mol% or less, or 0.3 mol% or less lanthanide oxide. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0.05 to 0.5 mol% lanthanide oxide.
The lanthanide oxide may include oxides of one or more lanthanide elements. The lanthanide oxide may be selected from Ta2CT, CeCh, PrCb, Nd2CT, SnuCT,
EU2O3, Gd2O3, Tb2O3, Dy2O3, HO2O3, EnCb, ΤΠΙ2Ο3, Yb2O3, TwCh and mixtures thereof.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lanthanide oxide comprises gadolinium (III) oxide (Gd2O3).
In the glass composition of the present invention, the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1. For example, the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide may be in the range 0.5: 1 to 1:1, in the range 1:1 to 2:1, or in the range 0.75:1 to 1.5:1. In one embodiment, the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide may be about 1:1.
The glass composition may further comprise ZnO. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 8 mol% ZnO. The glass composition may comprise at least 1 mol%, at least 2 mol%, or at least 5 mol% ZnO.. The glass composition may comprise 7 mol% or less, 6 mol% or less, or 5 mol% or less ZnO. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0 to 6 mol% ZnO.
In an alternative embodiment, the glass composition may be substantially free of zinc. For example, the glass composition may include less than 0.1 mol% ZnO, for example less than 0.05 mol%, less than 0.01 mol% or less than 0.005 mol% ZnO.
The glass composition may further comprise T1O2. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 3 mol% T1O2. For example, the glass composition may comprise at least 1 mol% or at least 2 mol% T1O2.
In an alternative embodiment, the glass composition may be substantially free of titanium. For example, the glass composition may include less than 0.1 mol% T1O2, for example less than 0.05 mol%, less than 0.01 mol% or less than 0.005 mol% T1O2.
The glass composition may further comprise SO3. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 1 mol% SO3. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.1 mol% or at least 0.2 mol% SO3. The glass composition may comprise 0.5 mol% or less or 0.3 mol% or less SO3. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0 to 0.5 mol% SO3.
The glass composition may further comprise K2O. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 3 mol% K2O. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.5 mol%, at least 1 mol%, or at least 2 mol% K2O. The glass composition may comprise 2.5 mol% or less, 2 mol% or less, or 1 mol% or less K2O. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0 to 2.5 mol% K2O.
The glass composition may further comprise L12O. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 3 mol% L12O. The glass composition may comprise at least 0.5 mol%, at least 1 mol%, or at least 2 mol% Li2O. The glass composition may comprise 2.5 mol% or less, 2 mol% or less, or 1 mol% or less L12O. For example, the glass composition may comprise 0 to 2.5 mol% L12O.
The glass composition may further comprise Fe2O3. The glass composition may comprise from 0 to 0.5 mol% Fe2O3.
In one embodiment, the glass composition may be substantially free of iron. For example, the glass composition may include less than 0.1 mol% Fe2O3, for example less than 0.05 mol%, less than 0.01 mol% or less than 0.005 mol% Fe2O3.
Preferably, the glass composition is substantially free of lead. For example, the glass composition may include less than 0.1 mol% PbO, for example less than 0.05 mol%, less than 0.01 mol% or less than 0.005 mol% PbO.
Preferably, the glass composition is substantially free of components which may cause colouring of the glass in the optical region, such as transition metals. The skilled person would be aware of such components. In particular, the glass composition may be substantially free of copper, manganese, cobalt, chromium and tungsten. For example, the glass composition may include less than 0.1 mol%, for example less than 0.05 mol%, less than 0.01 mol% or less than 0.005 mol% of components such as CuO, MnO, CoO, CT2O3 and/or WO3.
In a preferred embodiment, the mixed oxide may comprise:
to 80 mol% S1O2;
to 5 mol% AI2O3;
to 18 mol% Na20;
to 15 mol% CaO;
to 8 mol% MgO;
to 8 mol% ZnO;
to 1 mol% SO3;
> 0 to 1 mol% B12O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of Gd2O3;
wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to Gd2O3is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1.
The glass composition may consist essentially of a composition as described herein, and incidental impurities. In that case, as the skilled person will readily understand that the total mol % of the recited constituents will be 100 mol%, any balance being incidental impurities. Typically, any incidental impurity will be present at 0.1 mol% or less, 0.05 mol% or less, 0.01 mol% or less, 0.05 mol% or less, 0.001 mol% or less or 0.0001 mol% or less.
For example, the glass composition may consist essentially of:
to 80 mol% S1O2;
to 5 mol% AI2O3;
to 18 mol% Na2O;
to 15 mol% CaO;
to 8 mol% MgO;
to 8 mol% ZnO;
to 3 mol% T1O2;
to 1 mol% SO3;
to 3 mol% K2O;
to 3 mol% F12O;
to 0.5 mol% Fe2O3;
> 0 to 1 mol% B12O3;
> 0 to 1 mol% of lanthanide oxide; and incidental impurities;
wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1.
Typically, a glass having the glass composition according to the present invention may be prepared by any suitable glass forming process. Preferably, the glass may be a float glass, prepared via mixing together the raw materials and melting them to form a molten glass mixture, followed by floating the molten glass on a bath of molten tin and then allowing it to cool slowly, without being quenched. Typically, the resulting float glass sheets are subsequently heat treated in an annealing process to minimize residual stresses due to non-uniform cooling and thermal gradients. Such a process provides float glass sheets having uniform thickness and very flat surfaces.
Glasses having the glass composition according to the present invention preferably have a high transmission of solar radiation in the visible region, have high physical strength and high chemical durability.
The glass composition of the present invention may be employed in solar energy applications. For example, a glass sheet having the glass composition of the invention may be employed as cover glass for a solar module. Alternatively, glass sheets comprising the glass composition of the invention may be employed as substrates onto which one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material may be deposited in the manufacture of thin film solar cells.
The photovoltaic device according to the present invention comprises a photovoltaic layer having a light-receiving front side and an opposite back side and which photovoltaic layer comprises at least one solar cell; and a glass layer covering at least a portion of the light-receiving front side. The glass layer has a glass composition according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
Preferably, the glass layer covers the whole of the light-receiving front side of the photovoltaic layer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic device is a solar module wherein the photovoltaic layer comprises an array solar cells electrically connected with each other.
The at least one solar cell may comprise a wafer-based cell made of a bulk material such as silicon and/or germanium formed as a monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or ribbon structure. Alternatively, the at least one solar cell may be a thin-film solar cell which may comprise multi-layered thin-film composites, chalcogenide films of Cu(InxGai-x)(SexSi-x)2, cadmium telluride, conductive polymers, polymer (or organic) solar cells, perovskite solar cells, gallium arsenide (GaAs), dye-sensitized solar cells and/or silicon thin-films, including but not limited to, amorphous silicon, photocrystalline silicon or nanocrystalline silicon.
Preferably, the at least one solar cell is a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon wafer-based solar cell.
In one embodiment, one or more layers of additional material is present between the glass layer and the light-receiving front side of the photovoltaic layer. For example, the photovoltaic device may comprise a layer of encapsulant material between the glass layer and the photovoltaic layer. Such a layer of encapsulant material may serve to adhere the glass layer to the photovoltaic layer, whilst still allowing transmission of light to the light receiving front side of the photovoltaic layer.
A particular advantage of the present invention is that degradation of the encapsulant material due to UV exposure may be reduced.
The photovoltaic device may further comprise a back layer covering at least a portion of the back side of the photovoltaic layer. Preferably, the back layer covers the whole of the back side of the photovoltaic layer. The back layer may comprise a film such as a polyvinyl fluoride film. A suitable commercially available polyvinyl fluoride film is Tedlar® (available, for example, from DuPont). In this embodiment, or one or more layers of additional material may be present in between the back layer and the photovoltaic layer. For example, the photovoltaic device may comprise a layer of encapsulant material in between the back layer and the photovoltaic layer, in order to provide adhesion between said layers.
Suitable materials for forming one or more layers of encapsulant material in the photovoltaic device include thermoplastic adhesives, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) films.
The glass layer may have a thickness in the range 0.1 to 6 mm, preferably 1 to 4 mm, more preferably 1 to 3 mm.
The at least one solar cell of the photovoltaic layer may have a thickness in the range of 120 to 300 pm preferably 160 to 220 pm, more preferably 180 to 200 pm.
Where the photovoltaic device comprises a back layer, the back layer may have a thickness in the range of 0.10 to 0.50 mm preferably 0.15 to 0.40 mm, more preferably 0.17 to 0.35 mm.
Where the photovoltaic device comprises one or more layers of encapsulant material, each layer may have a thickness in the range of 300 to 1200 pm preferably 400 to 800 pm, more preferably 450 to 500 pm.
The photovoltaic device may further comprise mirrors and/or lenses for the purpose of concentrating light received by the photovoltaic layer.
The photovoltaic device may be mounted on a suitable frame.
Examples
The invention will now be further described with reference to the following examples, which are illustrative, but not limiting of the invention.
Glass sheet preparation
Glass sheets having base glass composition A and glass sheets having glass compositions 1 to 4 were prepared using commercially available raw materials. The composition of base glass A is set out in Table 1. Glass compositions 1 to 4 comprised the composition of base glass A doped with bismuth oxide or with bismuth oxide and gadolinium oxide in the amounts set out in Table 2. Each glass sheet was prepared according to the following procedure.
Raw materials for the glass were mixed and then melted at 1500°C in a 90PtlORh crucible for 7 hours in a furnace. The resulting molten glass was then poured into a steel mould which had been pre-heated to 565°C. The mould was then transferred to an annealing furnace and held at 565°C for 1 hour before gradually cooling to room temperature at l°C/min. The resulting glass sheets were then ground and polished to an optical finish using Regipol™ Iridium glass polishing powder (obtained for AMG Superalloys UK Ltd).
Table 1
Base glass | Mol% | |||||
SiO2 | AI2O3 | Na2O | CaO | MgO | SO3 | |
A | 70.6 | 0.6 | 13.9 | 9.2 | 5.5 | 0.2 |
Table 2
Glass Composition | Base Glass | Mol% of dopants | Molar ratio Bi2O to Gd2O | |
Bi2O3 | Gd2O3 | |||
1 | A | 0.2 | - | - |
2 | A | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2:1 |
3 | A | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1:1 |
4 | A | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1:2 |
Fluorescence Testing
Glass sheets having compositions 1 to 4 were analysed via fluorescence spectroscopy using a Cary Eclipse Fluorescence Spectrophotometer. The spectroscopy was carried out over a fluorescence wavelength range of 350 nm to 1100 nm, using an excitation wavelength of 320nm (i.e. UV), a scan rate of 120 nm/minute, a data interval of 1 nm and an averaging time of 0.5 seconds. Figure 1 shows the fluorescence exhibited by glasses 1. and 2 (both comprising 0.2mol% B12O3) and Figure 2 shows the fluorescence exhibited by glasses 3 and 4 (both comprising 0.1mol% B12O3).
As can be seen from Figure 1, the use of 0.2mol% B12O3 dopant in the absence of a lanthanide oxide provides a glass which exhibits fluorescence in the visible region when exposed to UV light; however, the presence of a Gd2Cb dopant in addition to the B12O3 dopant significantly enhances the fluorescence exhibited.
As can be seen from Figure 2, the amount of fluorescence achieved may also be influenced by the molar ratio of B12O3 dopant to Gd2Cb dopant.
Solar Module Preparation
Solar modules (i) to (vi) were prepared according to the following procedure.
The following layers of material were provided and assembled in the configuration shown in Figure 3: a glass layer comprising glass sheet as prepared above (1); a first layer of SOLARCAP® FC100011E/A ethylene vinyl acetate film (obtained from Evasa) (2); photovoltaic layer (3) having a light receiving front side (3a) and an opposite back side (3b) and comprising an array of 8 (4 x 2) NP6M Super 18 solar cells (obtained from Neo Solar Power) each cut to 3cm x 1cm; a second layer of SOLARCAP® FC100011E/A ethylene vinyl acetate film (obtained from Evasa) (4); and a back layer comprising a Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride film (AKASOL®-PTL 3-38/250 White obtained from Krempel) (5).
The resulting sandwich of layers was passed through a vacuum laminator at 150°C for 12 minutes, causing cross-linking of the EVA and consequently bonding of the layers of material assembled either side of the EVA films. The resulting solar modules were removed from the laminator and allowed to cool. Once cooled they were then trimmed to remove excess EVA and back layer.
The glass composition of the glass sheets employed in each solar module is set out in Table 3.
Table 3
Solar Module | Composition of Glass Layer |
(i) | A |
(ϋ) | 1 |
(iii) | 1 |
(iv) | A |
(v) | 3 |
(vi) | 3 |
Solar Module Performance
The solar modules prepared as described above were tested on a Spire
SPI240A solar simulator, operated to simulate global standard spectrum AM1.5g at 25°C, to determine the short-circuit current (Isc) and the current at maximum power point (Ipm) for each solar module. The skilled person is familiar with methods for determining Isc and Ipm.
Table 4 shows the percentage change in Isc and Ipm for solar modules (ii) and (iii) compared with the Isc and Ipm determined for solar module (i).
Table 5 shows the percentage change in Isc and Ipm for solar modules (v) and (vi) compared with the Isc and Ipm determined for solar module (iv).
Increases in Isc and Ipm indicate an increase in efficiency. Small changes in efficiency can be very valuable in commercial solar cells.
Table 4
Solar module | Isc % change | Ipm % change |
(ϋ) | -4.1 | -4.2 |
(iii) | -8.7 | -8.9 |
Table 5
Solar module | Isc % change | Ipm % change |
(v) | 1.0 | 3.4 |
(vi) | 0.4 | 2.5 |
The results shown in Table 4 demonstrate that the inclusion of a bismuth oxide 5 dopant, in the absence of a lanthanide oxide dopant, in a solar module cover glass composition may lead to reduced efficiency.
The results shown in Table 5 demonstrate that the inclusion of bismuth oxide and gadolinium oxide dopants in a solar module cover glass composition may provide increased efficiency.
Claims (28)
1. A glass composition comprising:
60 to 80 mol% S1O2;
0 to 5 mol% AI2O3;
8 to 18 mol% Na2O;
2 to 15 mol% CaO;
0 to 8 mol% MgO;
> 0 to 1 mol% B12O3; and > 0 to 1 mol% of lanthanide oxide;
wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to the lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 2:1.
2. A glass composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lanthanide oxide is Gd2O3.
3. A glass composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein S1O2 is present in an amount of 65 to 70 mol%, preferably 68 to 72 mol%.
4. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein AI2O3 is present in an amount of 0.1 to 4 mol%, preferably 0.2 to 3 mol%, more preferably 0.5 to 2 mol%.
5. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein Na2O is present in an amount of 10 to 16 mol%, preferably 12 to 15 mol%.
6. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein CaO is present in an amount of 1.5 to 12 mol%, preferably 2 to 10 mol%.
7. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein MgO is present in an amount of 1 to 8 mol%, preferably 2 to 7 mol%, more preferably 3 to 6 mol%.
8. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein B12O3 is present in an amount of 0.025 to 0.75 mol%, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mol%, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3mol%.
9. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein lanthanide oxide is present in an amount of 0.025 to 0.75 mol%, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mol%, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3mol%.
10. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.5:1 to 1:1.
11. A glass composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide is in the range 1:1 to 2:1.
12. A glass composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein the molar ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide is in the range 0.75:1 to 1.5:1.
13. A glass composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein the ratio of B12O3 to lanthanide oxide is about 1:1.
14. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises ZnO in an amount of 0 to 8 mol%, preferably 0 to 6 mol%.
15. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises K2O in an amount of 0 to 3 mol%, preferably 0 to 2.5 mol%, more preferably 0.5 to 2 mol%.
16. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises L12O in an amount of 0 to 3 mol%, preferably 0 to 2.5 mol%, more preferably 0.5 to 2 mol%.
17. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises Fe2O3 in an amount of 0 to 0.5 mol%.
18. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises less than less than 0.1 mol% PbO, preferably less than 0.05 mol% PbO, more preferably less than 0.01 mol% PbO, most preferably less than 0.005 mol% PbO.
19. A glass composition as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises less than less than 0.1 mol% T1O2, preferably less than 0.05 mol% T1O2, more preferably less than 0.01 mol% T1O2, most preferably less than 0.005 mol% T1O2.
20. A photovoltaic device comprising:
a photovoltaic layer having a light-receiving front side and an opposite back side and comprising at least one solar cell; and a layer of glass covering at least a portion of the light-receiving front side of the photovoltaic layer;
wherein the glass has a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19.
21. A photovoltaic device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the photovoltaic layer comprises an array of solar cells.
22. A photovoltaic device as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the at least one solar cell is a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon wafer-based solar cell.
23. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22 which further comprises a layer of encapsulant material between the glass layer and the photovoltaic layer.
24. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23 which further comprises a back layer covering at least a portion of the back side of the photovoltaic layer.
25. A photovoltaic device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the back layer comprises a polyvinyl fluoride film.
26. A photovoltaic device as claimed in claim 24 or 25 which further comprises a layer of encapsulant material between the photovoltaic layer and the back layer.
27. A photovoltaic device as claimed in claim 23 or 26 wherein the encapsulant material is formed from ethylene vinyl actetate.
28. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any of claims 20 to 27 wherein the glass layer has a thickness in the range 0.1 to 6 mm, preferably 1 to 4 mm, more preferably 1 to 3 mm.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1700981.2 Examiner: Nicholas Mole
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1700981.2A GB2553163A (en) | 2017-01-20 | 2017-01-20 | Composition and device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1700981.2A GB2553163A (en) | 2017-01-20 | 2017-01-20 | Composition and device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201700981D0 GB201700981D0 (en) | 2017-03-08 |
GB2553163A true GB2553163A (en) | 2018-02-28 |
Family
ID=58462916
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1700981.2A Withdrawn GB2553163A (en) | 2017-01-20 | 2017-01-20 | Composition and device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2553163A (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1262799A (en) * | 1969-07-03 | 1972-02-09 | Asahi Glass Co Ltd | Glass laser materials |
DE102009029086A1 (en) * | 2009-09-02 | 2011-03-03 | Schott Ag | Solarization-resistant soda-lime glass comprises titanium dioxide and/or cerium oxide with additions of lead oxide, tin oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, copper oxide bismuth oxide, manganese oxide, silver oxide and fluorine |
WO2013132116A1 (en) * | 2012-03-07 | 2013-09-12 | Universidad De Cantabria | High transmittance glass, method for producing same and photovoltaic applications thereof |
-
2017
- 2017-01-20 GB GB1700981.2A patent/GB2553163A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1262799A (en) * | 1969-07-03 | 1972-02-09 | Asahi Glass Co Ltd | Glass laser materials |
DE102009029086A1 (en) * | 2009-09-02 | 2011-03-03 | Schott Ag | Solarization-resistant soda-lime glass comprises titanium dioxide and/or cerium oxide with additions of lead oxide, tin oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, copper oxide bismuth oxide, manganese oxide, silver oxide and fluorine |
WO2013132116A1 (en) * | 2012-03-07 | 2013-09-12 | Universidad De Cantabria | High transmittance glass, method for producing same and photovoltaic applications thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201700981D0 (en) | 2017-03-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN100517766C (en) | Chalcopyrite-type solar cell | |
CN100524839C (en) | Chalcopyrite solar cell and manufacturing method thereof | |
US8071872B2 (en) | Thin film semi-conductor-on-glass solar cell devices | |
JP4757424B2 (en) | Alkali-containing aluminum borosilicate glass and use thereof | |
CN101889350B (en) | Improvements to elements capable of collecting light | |
CN102939663A (en) | Translucent laminate and solar cell module using same | |
US8679374B2 (en) | Compound semiconductors and their application | |
US20100288351A1 (en) | Thin-film solar cell | |
US20140007940A1 (en) | Light transmitting thermoplastic resins comprising down conversion material and their use in photovoltaic modules | |
CN101490852A (en) | Hermetically sealed nonplanar solar cells | |
JP2011522770A (en) | Glass plate and glass composition for solar unit | |
US20130233386A1 (en) | Glass substrate for cu-in-ga-se solar cells and solar cell using same | |
US20130306145A1 (en) | Glass substrate for cu-in-ga-se solar cell and solar cell using same | |
EP2708495A1 (en) | Novel compound semiconductor and usage for same | |
CN102781867A (en) | Photovoltaic cell | |
JP2011258954A (en) | Use of glass for application to photovoltaic power generation | |
EP2703344B1 (en) | Novel compound semiconductor and use thereof | |
KR101266103B1 (en) | Solar cell module and manufacturing method thereof | |
CN102782860A (en) | Photovoltaic cell having a novel TCO layer built therein | |
Allsopp et al. | Optical and structural properties of d 0 ion-doped silicate glasses for photovoltaic applications | |
GB2553163A (en) | Composition and device | |
US20130255745A1 (en) | Thin layered solar module having a composite wafer structure | |
US20100139748A1 (en) | Solar cell having europium-doped cover glass | |
US20100108136A1 (en) | Solar cell | |
US20110226316A1 (en) | Solar Cell Method of Fabrication via Float Glass Process |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |