WO2010128460A2 - Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010128460A2
WO2010128460A2 PCT/IB2010/051966 IB2010051966W WO2010128460A2 WO 2010128460 A2 WO2010128460 A2 WO 2010128460A2 IB 2010051966 W IB2010051966 W IB 2010051966W WO 2010128460 A2 WO2010128460 A2 WO 2010128460A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
cells
layer
electrode layer
counter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2010/051966
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010128460A3 (en
WO2010128460A8 (en
Inventor
Fabio Renato Cappelli
Stefano Segato
Antonio Maroscia
Original Assignee
Solargenius S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solargenius S.R.L. filed Critical Solargenius S.R.L.
Priority to BRPI1007652A priority Critical patent/BRPI1007652A2/en
Priority to EP10725277A priority patent/EP2427916A2/en
Publication of WO2010128460A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010128460A2/en
Publication of WO2010128460A8 publication Critical patent/WO2010128460A8/en
Publication of WO2010128460A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010128460A3/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
    • B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
    • B82Y10/00—Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
    • 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
    • H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
    • H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
    • H01L31/0508—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module the interconnection means having a particular shape
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K30/00—Organic devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation
    • H10K30/80—Constructional details
    • H10K30/88—Passivation; Containers; Encapsulations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
    • H01G9/00—Electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices; Processes of their manufacture
    • H01G9/20—Light-sensitive devices
    • H01G9/2068—Panels or arrays of photoelectrochemical cells, e.g. photovoltaic modules based on photoelectrochemical cells
    • H01G9/2077—Sealing arrangements, e.g. to prevent the leakage of the electrolyte
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K85/00—Organic materials used in the body or electrodes of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10K85/10—Organic polymers or oligomers
    • H10K85/111—Organic polymers or oligomers comprising aromatic, heteroaromatic, or aryl chains, e.g. polyaniline, polyphenylene or polyphenylene vinylene
    • H10K85/113—Heteroaromatic compounds comprising sulfur or selene, e.g. polythiophene
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K85/00—Organic materials used in the body or electrodes of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10K85/10—Organic polymers or oligomers
    • H10K85/111—Organic polymers or oligomers comprising aromatic, heteroaromatic, or aryl chains, e.g. polyaniline, polyphenylene or polyphenylene vinylene
    • H10K85/114—Poly-phenylenevinylene; Derivatives thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K85/00—Organic materials used in the body or electrodes of devices covered by this subclass
    • H10K85/20—Carbon compounds, e.g. carbon nanotubes or fullerenes
    • H10K85/211—Fullerenes, e.g. C60
    • H10K85/215—Fullerenes, e.g. C60 comprising substituents, e.g. PCBM
    • 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
    • Y02E10/549—Organic PV cells
    • 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
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention finds application in the field of renewable energies and particularly relates to a photovoltaic electric energy generating device, which device is obtained by application of a multilayer photovoltaic paint deposited on the surface of a support, which is susceptible of being oriented toward a light source.
  • a further aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such photovoltaic device.
  • a peculiar feature of this prior art paint is that the layer deposition process is carried out by using materials in a liquid or pasty state, which allows the use of highly simple deposition techniques, i.e. jet spray, paintbrush, palette-knife painting techniques or the like.
  • the layers have very small thicknesses, i.e. from a few nm to a few ⁇ m, which dramatically reduces the cost of the photovoltaic panels that can be obtained from said paint and allows them to fit any shape.
  • a further aspect of the above mentioned photovoltaic paint is that none of the l layers contains silicon oxides, which obviates the need for a supply of these materials.
  • the method of application of said multilayer paint includes the steps of depositing the layer of base material onto the outer surface of the support, to form an anchoring surface, and later successively depositing the remaining layers thereby defining an integral wafer.
  • photovoltaic devices may be formed on surfaces of any type and size, in an easy manner and at low cost.
  • solar panels consist of a plurality of modules, which are in turn composed of a plurality of series/parallel connected cells, to obtain solar strings and fields.
  • Currently available standard modules are composed of 72 cells with a power from 150 to 200 W.
  • Each cell generally consists of a very thin silicon foil with a square or rectangular plan shape and a size from 8 to 15 cm.
  • the cells are placed on a rigid support surface, e.g. a front glass or plate, and are series- or parallel- connected together by contacts consisting of a network of very thin metal connectors, obtained by metal vapor deposition or equivalent methods.
  • a rigid support surface e.g. a front glass or plate
  • contacts consisting of a network of very thin metal connectors, obtained by metal vapor deposition or equivalent methods.
  • the device shall have functional features similar to those of traditional silicon panels, especially concerning voltages and currents generated at the output of the terminals to be connected to the circuits, while increasing efficiency and transparency to light radiation.
  • the various layers shall have the size required for optimized electric energy generation, while maintaining maximum transparency with respect to the layer of optoelectronically active material, i.e. allowing the latter to receive as much light radiation as afforded by the assigned cell size.
  • a main object of the invention is to provide a photovoltaic device by deposition of a multilayer photovoltaic paint, having high efficiency as related to manufacturing costs.
  • Another object is to provide a photovoltaic device as mentioned above, that allows generation of electric energy with standard voltage and current values, complying with market requirements.
  • Yet another object is to provide a method of making the photovoltaic device that minimizes obstruction of the front part of the device, and affords maximum collection of light radiation.
  • the intermediate layers of said structure consisting of said second, said third and said fourth layers are arranged discontinuously to define a plurality of adjacent cells of predetermined thicknesses and plan sizes, every two or more adjacent cells being electrically connected by said connectors in a series and/or parallel arrangement to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values, said connectors being arranged and placed to maximize the area of said active layer exposed to light radiation.
  • a method is provided of making a photovoltaic electric energy generating device by depositing a multilayer photovoltaic paint in accordance with claim 11.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a limited area of the photovoltaic device of the invention, with series and parallel cells arrangements;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1 with series cells arrangement
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1 with parallel cells arrangements
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the detail of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of the detail of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the detail of FIG. 5, as taken along a plane Vl- Vl.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the detail of FIG. 4, as taken along a plane VII - VII.
  • a photovoltaic device of the invention which is designed to generate electric energy to be injected into an external electric network or into a network of public or private users, is generally designated by numeral 100.
  • the device 100 essentially comprises a movable or stationary support T, such as a fixed wall of a building or a plate, or a land, sea or the like vehicle, having an outer surface E susceptible of being oriented toward a light source.
  • a movable or stationary support T such as a fixed wall of a building or a plate, or a land, sea or the like vehicle, having an outer surface E susceptible of being oriented toward a light source.
  • a multilayer photovoltaic paint structure is deposited on the surface E, whose characteristics partially correspond to those described in the international patent application WO2008/018030, which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the paint structure may or may not include at least one first base layer 1 of an electronically, chemically and mechanically inert material, which is designed to at least partially cover said outer surface E.
  • the surface E has inherent dielectric characteristics, due to either the inherent nature of the base material of the support T or treatments of the surface E by electrically insulating materials, then the deposition of the base layer 1 may be avoided.
  • the photovoltaic paint structure comprises an electrode layer 2, an active layer 3 and a counter-electrode layer 4 which are mutually superimposed.
  • the lower layer 2 is made of a material having a function and a predetermined electronic potential, defining an electrode evenly in contact with the active layer 3.
  • the active layer 3, superposed to the second layer 2, is made of an optoelectronically active material susceptible of converting photons into electrons.
  • An upper layer 4 is laid on the active layer 3, in electric contact therewith, which upper layer is made of a second electrically conductive material with an electronic potential different from that of the second layer 2 so as to define a counter-electrode.
  • Electrode layer 2 examples of materials for the electrode layer 2, the active layer 3 and the counter-electrode layer 4 are extensively described in WO2008/018030, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is essential that all these materials are all initially in the liquid or pasty state, and be susceptible of being cured in a natural manner or, even better, by chemical or light catalysts, such as UV radiation.
  • At least one first connector 6 is further provided, which is made of an electrically conductive material and which is placed underneath and in contact with the electrode layer 2, to allow passage of electric charges harvested from the electrode layer.
  • At least one second connector 7 is also provided, which is made of an electrically conductive material and is placed in contact with the counter- electrode layer 4, to allow passage of electric charges harvested from the counter-electrode layer 4.
  • a protective layer 5 of an optically transparent material is provided, to define a protective sealing barrier against external agents, particularly oxygen.
  • the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4, the connectors, the base layer 1 , if any, and the protective layer 5 are formed from paints or inks that can be cured by additives as described in the above mentioned international application WO2008/018030.
  • the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4 of the above described paint structure are discontinuously arranged, to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells, designated in the drawings by numerals 8, 8', 8", ....
  • At least one first connector 6 and one second connector 7 consist of layers of an electrically conductive material, whose conformation and position allow connection of adjacent or contiguous cells 8, 8', 8", ... in series and/or parallel connection arrangements, to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values.
  • the device so obtained will provide the voltages and currents required for powering external user systems or supplying power to the mains, through electronic components that are also found in conventional silicon photovoltaic panels, such as inverters, diodes, transformers, if any, etc.
  • the connectors 6, 7 are configured and positioned relative to the cells 8, 8', 8", ... to maximize the volume of the optoelectronically active layer 3 exposed to light radiation.
  • the cells may have a size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
  • the cells may have a polygonal, particularly rectangular plan shape, although other plan shapes may be also provided, such as square or hexagonal shapes, not shown, with predetermined sizes.
  • the cells shown in the figures have a rectangular plan shape with a length from 2mm to 50mm, preferably from 3mm to 10 mm and more preferably about 5mm.
  • the width W is preferably from 0,5mm to 5mm, preferably from 0,5mm to 2mm, more preferably about 1mm.
  • the distance D between cells will be as small as allowed by the layer deposition process and their electric insulation. For example, it can be from 0,05 mm to 0,5 mm, is preferably about 0,2 mm.
  • the overall thickness of each cell which is determined by the sum of the thicknesses of the layers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 may be from 10 nm to 100 ⁇ m, preferably from 100 nm to 50 ⁇ m, more preferably about 30 ⁇ m.
  • the connectors 6, 7 may be situated either at the side edges or at the transverse edges of the cells 8, either in horizontal or in vertical arrangement relative to the lying plane of the cells 8.
  • the connectors 6, 7 of the figures are in the form of rectangular strips, with a width C of minimum value to reduce cell obstruction area, especially when the base material is non transparent, and will be anyway compatible with the maximum current intensity to be carried.
  • the connectors will preferably have a rectangular cross section, with a thickness from 50nm to 200 ⁇ m, preferably about 50 ⁇ m, according to the maximum amperage that is locally attained.
  • the maximum width C may be from 0,1mm to 0,5mm, preferably about 0,2mm.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a portion of the device 100 including both series and parallel cell connection arrangements.
  • FIGS. 2 and 4 show series string-forming arrangements of cells 8, 8', 8", ....
  • the cells 8, 8', 8", ... are connected in pairs with sections of connectors 6, 7 lying under and in contact with the electrode layer 2 and above and in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4 respectively.
  • Contacts or terminals 9, 10 are provided at the ends of the connectors 6, 7 for connection of the string with a collector of the apparatus, not shown in the figures.
  • a further connector section 6' may be provided to connect the last cell 8 n of the series to the terminal 9, in parallel with those that connect the cells in pairs.
  • FIGS. 3 and 5 show parallel string-forming arrangements of cells. All the cells 8, 8', 8", ... are mutually connected at one end by a connector 6 placed underneath and in contact with the electrode layer 2 and by a connector 7 above and in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4.
  • two or more series or parallel cells strings may be in turn series- or parallel-connected together to appropriately adjust the voltage and current in a photovoltaic device, not shown in the figure.
  • the connectors 6, 7 are staggered in height by a predetermined offset H approximately corresponding to the thickness of the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4.
  • a method of making an electric current generating device as described above includes the application of a multilayer photovoltaic paint, through the following steps: providing a movable and/or stationary support T having an outer surface E susceptible of being oriented toward the light source; depositing at least one first base layer 1 of an electronically, chemically and mechanically inert material on the surface E; providing at least one first connector 6 made of an electrically conductive material; providing at least one second layer 2 of an electrically conductive material with a predetermined electronic potential defining an electrode; providing at least one third layer 3 made of an optoelectronically active material; providing at least one fourth layer 4 of a second electrically conductive material with an electronic potential different from that of the second layer 2 defining a counter-electrode; providing at least one second connector 7 made of an electrically conductive material in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4; providing at least one fifth protective layer 5 of an optically transparent material to define a protective sealing barrier against external agents and against oxygen.
  • At least the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4 are deposited in discontinuous fashion to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells 8 of predetermined size.
  • two or more adjacent or contiguous cells are electrically connected with each other by said at least two connectors 6, 7 in series and/or parallel connection arrangements, to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values.
  • the connectors 6, 7 are selected, configured and positioned to maximize the volume of the active layer 3 exposed to light radiation.
  • all the layers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and the connectors 6, 7 are deposited in the liquid or pasty state by jet-spreading on the surface E of the support T.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Abstract

A photovoltaic device comprises a support (T) with an outer surface (E), a multilayer photovoltaic paint structure comprising a first connector (6), an electrode layer (2) made of a material with a predetermined electronic potential, and placed in contact with the first connector (6) an active layer (3) of an optoelectronic material, a counter-electrode layer (4) of a second material with an electronic potential different from that of the electrode layer, a second connector (7) placed in contact with the counter-electrode layer (4). The intermediate layers (2, 3, 4) are discontinuously arranged to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells (8, 8', 8"), which are electrically connected by the two connectors (6, 7) in series and/or parallel connection arrangements. The connectors (6, 7) are so arranged to maximize the volume of the active layer (3).

Description

PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
Field of the invention
The present invention finds application in the field of renewable energies and particularly relates to a photovoltaic electric energy generating device, which device is obtained by application of a multilayer photovoltaic paint deposited on the surface of a support, which is susceptible of being oriented toward a light source.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such photovoltaic device.
Background art
From the international application WO2008/018030 in the name of the same applicants a multilayer photovoltaic paint is known that can be applied to outdoor or indoor surfaces for absorption and conversion of light radiation into electric energy and which comprises all the features as defined in the preamble of claim 1.
A peculiar feature of this prior art paint is that the layer deposition process is carried out by using materials in a liquid or pasty state, which allows the use of highly simple deposition techniques, i.e. jet spray, paintbrush, palette-knife painting techniques or the like.
Advantageously, the layers have very small thicknesses, i.e. from a few nm to a few μm, which dramatically reduces the cost of the photovoltaic panels that can be obtained from said paint and allows them to fit any shape.
A further aspect of the above mentioned photovoltaic paint is that none of the l layers contains silicon oxides, which obviates the need for a supply of these materials.
The method of application of said multilayer paint includes the steps of depositing the layer of base material onto the outer surface of the support, to form an anchoring surface, and later successively depositing the remaining layers thereby defining an integral wafer.
Thanks to this method, photovoltaic devices may be formed on surfaces of any type and size, in an easy manner and at low cost.
While this prior art device provides advantageous features, it still cannot adapt its configuration to a desired energy level.
Furthermore, it is unsuitable for industrial-scale production, allowing delivery of electric energy with predetermined characteristics, i.e. with desired voltage and current values, for use in local systems or public and/or private user grids.
According to a known technique, which is widely used in the field of silicon- based photovoltaic devices, solar panels consist of a plurality of modules, which are in turn composed of a plurality of series/parallel connected cells, to obtain solar strings and fields. Currently available standard modules are composed of 72 cells with a power from 150 to 200 W.
Each cell generally consists of a very thin silicon foil with a square or rectangular plan shape and a size from 8 to 15 cm. The cells are placed on a rigid support surface, e.g. a front glass or plate, and are series- or parallel- connected together by contacts consisting of a network of very thin metal connectors, obtained by metal vapor deposition or equivalent methods. One drawback of these known connectors is that they inevitably reduce "transparency" to light radiation, due to the cells being obstructed at the contact areas.
It is apparent that, in order to meet commercial use requirements, the device shall have functional features similar to those of traditional silicon panels, especially concerning voltages and currents generated at the output of the terminals to be connected to the circuits, while increasing efficiency and transparency to light radiation.
In multilayer paint devices, like the present device, the various layers shall have the size required for optimized electric energy generation, while maintaining maximum transparency with respect to the layer of optoelectronically active material, i.e. allowing the latter to receive as much light radiation as afforded by the assigned cell size.
Disclosure of the invention
A main object of the invention is to provide a photovoltaic device by deposition of a multilayer photovoltaic paint, having high efficiency as related to manufacturing costs.
Another object is to provide a photovoltaic device as mentioned above, that allows generation of electric energy with standard voltage and current values, complying with market requirements.
Yet another object is to provide a method of making the photovoltaic device that minimizes obstruction of the front part of the device, and affords maximum collection of light radiation.
These objects are fulfilled by a photovoltaic electric energy generating device in accordance with claim 1.
Particularly, the intermediate layers of said structure consisting of said second, said third and said fourth layers are arranged discontinuously to define a plurality of adjacent cells of predetermined thicknesses and plan sizes, every two or more adjacent cells being electrically connected by said connectors in a series and/or parallel arrangement to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values, said connectors being arranged and placed to maximize the area of said active layer exposed to light radiation.
In a second aspect, a method is provided of making a photovoltaic electric energy generating device by depositing a multilayer photovoltaic paint in accordance with claim 11.
Brief description of the figures
Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon reading of the detailed description of a preferred non-exclusive embodiment of the multilayer photovoltaic paint of the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a limited area of the photovoltaic device of the invention, with series and parallel cells arrangements;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1 with series cells arrangement;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1 with parallel cells arrangements;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the detail of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the detail of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the detail of FIG. 5, as taken along a plane Vl- Vl.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the detail of FIG. 4, as taken along a plane VII - VII.
Description of a few preferred embodiments
Referring to FIG. 1 , a photovoltaic device of the invention, which is designed to generate electric energy to be injected into an external electric network or into a network of public or private users, is generally designated by numeral 100.
The device 100 essentially comprises a movable or stationary support T, such as a fixed wall of a building or a plate, or a land, sea or the like vehicle, having an outer surface E susceptible of being oriented toward a light source.
A multilayer photovoltaic paint structure is deposited on the surface E, whose characteristics partially correspond to those described in the international patent application WO2008/018030, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Particularly, the paint structure may or may not include at least one first base layer 1 of an electronically, chemically and mechanically inert material, which is designed to at least partially cover said outer surface E.
If the surface E has inherent dielectric characteristics, due to either the inherent nature of the base material of the support T or treatments of the surface E by electrically insulating materials, then the deposition of the base layer 1 may be avoided.
The photovoltaic paint structure comprises an electrode layer 2, an active layer 3 and a counter-electrode layer 4 which are mutually superimposed. Particularly, the lower layer 2 is made of a material having a function and a predetermined electronic potential, defining an electrode evenly in contact with the active layer 3.
The active layer 3, superposed to the second layer 2, is made of an optoelectronically active material susceptible of converting photons into electrons.
An upper layer 4 is laid on the active layer 3, in electric contact therewith, which upper layer is made of a second electrically conductive material with an electronic potential different from that of the second layer 2 so as to define a counter-electrode.
Examples of materials for the electrode layer 2, the active layer 3 and the counter-electrode layer 4 are extensively described in WO2008/018030, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is essential that all these materials are all initially in the liquid or pasty state, and be susceptible of being cured in a natural manner or, even better, by chemical or light catalysts, such as UV radiation.
At least one first connector 6 is further provided, which is made of an electrically conductive material and which is placed underneath and in contact with the electrode layer 2, to allow passage of electric charges harvested from the electrode layer.
At least one second connector 7 is also provided, which is made of an electrically conductive material and is placed in contact with the counter- electrode layer 4, to allow passage of electric charges harvested from the counter-electrode layer 4.
Optionally a protective layer 5 of an optically transparent material is provided, to define a protective sealing barrier against external agents, particularly oxygen.
Therefore, the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4, the connectors, the base layer 1 , if any, and the protective layer 5 are formed from paints or inks that can be cured by additives as described in the above mentioned international application WO2008/018030.
According to the invention, the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4 of the above described paint structure are discontinuously arranged, to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells, designated in the drawings by numerals 8, 8', 8", ....
Furthermore, at least one first connector 6 and one second connector 7 consist of layers of an electrically conductive material, whose conformation and position allow connection of adjacent or contiguous cells 8, 8', 8", ... in series and/or parallel connection arrangements, to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values.
The device so obtained will provide the voltages and currents required for powering external user systems or supplying power to the mains, through electronic components that are also found in conventional silicon photovoltaic panels, such as inverters, diodes, transformers, if any, etc.
Conveniently, the connectors 6, 7 are configured and positioned relative to the cells 8, 8', 8", ... to maximize the volume of the optoelectronically active layer 3 exposed to light radiation.
For this purpose, the cells may have a size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. By the way of example, the cells may have a polygonal, particularly rectangular plan shape, although other plan shapes may be also provided, such as square or hexagonal shapes, not shown, with predetermined sizes.
By way of example, the cells shown in the figures have a rectangular plan shape with a length from 2mm to 50mm, preferably from 3mm to 10 mm and more preferably about 5mm. The width W is preferably from 0,5mm to 5mm, preferably from 0,5mm to 2mm, more preferably about 1mm. The distance D between cells will be as small as allowed by the layer deposition process and their electric insulation. For example, it can be from 0,05 mm to 0,5 mm, is preferably about 0,2 mm. The overall thickness of each cell, which is determined by the sum of the thicknesses of the layers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 may be from 10 nm to 100μm, preferably from 100 nm to 50μm, more preferably about 30μm.
In series or parallel connections, the connectors 6, 7 may be situated either at the side edges or at the transverse edges of the cells 8, either in horizontal or in vertical arrangement relative to the lying plane of the cells 8.
The connectors 6, 7 of the figures are in the form of rectangular strips, with a width C of minimum value to reduce cell obstruction area, especially when the base material is non transparent, and will be anyway compatible with the maximum current intensity to be carried. Particularly, the connectors will preferably have a rectangular cross section, with a thickness from 50nm to 200μm, preferably about 50μm, according to the maximum amperage that is locally attained. The maximum width C may be from 0,1mm to 0,5mm, preferably about 0,2mm.
FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a portion of the device 100 including both series and parallel cell connection arrangements.
FIGS. 2 and 4 show series string-forming arrangements of cells 8, 8', 8", .... The cells 8, 8', 8", ... are connected in pairs with sections of connectors 6, 7 lying under and in contact with the electrode layer 2 and above and in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4 respectively. Contacts or terminals 9, 10 are provided at the ends of the connectors 6, 7 for connection of the string with a collector of the apparatus, not shown in the figures. A further connector section 6' may be provided to connect the last cell 8n of the series to the terminal 9, in parallel with those that connect the cells in pairs.
FIGS. 3 and 5 show parallel string-forming arrangements of cells. All the cells 8, 8', 8", ... are mutually connected at one end by a connector 6 placed underneath and in contact with the electrode layer 2 and by a connector 7 above and in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4.
Of course, two or more series or parallel cells strings may be in turn series- or parallel-connected together to appropriately adjust the voltage and current in a photovoltaic device, not shown in the figure.
Conveniently, the connectors 6, 7 are staggered in height by a predetermined offset H approximately corresponding to the thickness of the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4.
A method of making an electric current generating device as described above includes the application of a multilayer photovoltaic paint, through the following steps: providing a movable and/or stationary support T having an outer surface E susceptible of being oriented toward the light source; depositing at least one first base layer 1 of an electronically, chemically and mechanically inert material on the surface E; providing at least one first connector 6 made of an electrically conductive material; providing at least one second layer 2 of an electrically conductive material with a predetermined electronic potential defining an electrode; providing at least one third layer 3 made of an optoelectronically active material; providing at least one fourth layer 4 of a second electrically conductive material with an electronic potential different from that of the second layer 2 defining a counter-electrode; providing at least one second connector 7 made of an electrically conductive material in contact with the counter-electrode layer 4; providing at least one fifth protective layer 5 of an optically transparent material to define a protective sealing barrier against external agents and against oxygen.
According to the invention, at least the intermediate layers 2, 3, 4 are deposited in discontinuous fashion to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells 8 of predetermined size.
Furthermore, two or more adjacent or contiguous cells are electrically connected with each other by said at least two connectors 6, 7 in series and/or parallel connection arrangements, to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values.
The connectors 6, 7 are selected, configured and positioned to maximize the volume of the active layer 3 exposed to light radiation.
Suitably, all the layers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and the connectors 6, 7 are deposited in the liquid or pasty state by jet-spreading on the surface E of the support T.
The device and method of the invention are susceptible to a number of changes or variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the annexed claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.
While the device and method of the invention have been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic electric energy generating device, comprising a movable or stationary support (T) with an outer surface (E) susceptible of being oriented toward a light source and a multilayer photovoltaic paint structure deposited on said surface (E), which structure comprises: at least one first electric connector (6); at least one electrode layer (2) of a first material with a predetermined electronic potential, placed in contact with said at least one first electric connector (6); at least one active layer (3) of an optoelectronic material at least susceptible of converting photons into electrons; at least one counter-electrode layer (4) of a second material with an electronic potential, different from that of said electrode layer (2); at least one second connector (7) placed in contact with said at least one counter-electrode layer (4); wherein said intermediate electrode, active and counter-electrode layers (2, 3, 4) of said structure are arranged discontinuously to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells (8, 8', 8", ...), said at least one first (6) and one second connector (7) comprising layers of an electrically conductive material conformed to connect said adjacent or contiguous cells (8, 8', 8", ...) in series and/or parallel arrangements to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values, said connectors (6, 7) being arranged and positioned to maximize the volume of said active layer (3) exposed to light radiation.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cells (8, 8', 8", ...) have substantially parallel longitudinal edges and substantially aligned transverse edges, said connectors (6, 7) being arranged at either the longitudinal or the transverse edges of said cells (8, 8', 8", ...).
3. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said intermediate layers (2, 3, 4) of said cells (8, 8', 8", ...) have predetermined thickness (S) and plan size (L, W) and substantially identical plan shapes.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plan shape of said cells is substantially polygonal, preferably rectangular, square or hexagonal, with substantially parallel longitudinal and transverse edges.
5. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one first connector (6) is laid on said outer surface (E) in contact with said counter-electrode (2) and said at least one second connector (7) is placed directly in contact with said counter-electrode layer (4).
6. Device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said layers defining said at least one first connector (6) and said at least one second connector (7) are laid on planes that are offset by a predetermined offset (H).
7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said offset (H) is at least equal to the thickness of said active layer (3) and both said electrode (2) and counter- electrode (4) layers.
8. Device as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of adjacent and parallel mutually parallel — connected cells (8, 8\ 8") defines a string (9) with terminals (10, 11) consisting of the ends of a first connector layer (6) and a second connector layer (7) respectively.
9. Device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said series and/or parallel strings of cells (8, 8', 8", ...) are mutually connected by appropriate collectors, said collectors being formed of layers of conductive material similar to that of said connectors (6, 7).
10. Device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cells are series and/or parallel connected together to generate voltages and currents at the terminals (10, 11) of said connectors (6, 7) which comply with the requirements for local user or grid-connected.
11. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a base layer (1) of an electronically, chemically and mechanically inert material is provided, which is designed to at least partially cover said surface (E).
12. Device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said electrode layer (2) in each pair of adjacent or contiguous series-connected cells (8', 8"), is in contact with said base layer (1).
13. A method of making an electric current generating device, including the application of a multilayer photovoltaic paint, through the following steps: providing a movable and/or stationary support (T) having an outer surface (E) susceptible of being oriented toward the light source; providing at least one first connector (6) made of an electrically conductive material; providing at least one electrode layer (2) of an electrically conductive material with a first predetermined electronic potential; providing at least one active layer (3) of an optoelectronic material susceptible of converting photons into electrons; providing at least one counter-electrode layer (4) of a second electrically conductive material with an electronic potential different from that of the electrode layer (2); providing at least one second connector (7) made of an electrically conductive material in contact with the counter-electrode layer (4); wherein one or more of the intermediate layers (2, 3, 4) of said structure consisting of said second (2), said third (3) and said fourth (4) layers are arranged discontinuously to define a plurality of adjacent or contiguous cells of predetermined sizes, every two or more adjacent or contiguous cells being electrically connected by said at least two connectors (6, 7) in series and/or parallel arrangements to generate electric energy with predetermined voltage and current values, said connectors (6, 7) being selected, configured and positioned to maximize the volume of said active layer (3) exposed to light radiation.
14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one base layer (1) is deposited on said surface (E).
15. Method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein one or more of said layers (1 , 2, 3, 4) and said connectors (6, 7) are deposited in the liquid or pasty state by jet-spreading on said surface (E) of said support (T).
PCT/IB2010/051966 2009-05-05 2010-05-05 Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method WO2010128460A2 (en)

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CN103367509A (en) * 2012-04-06 2013-10-23 聚日（苏州）科技有限公司 Solar cell and formation method thereof
CN103367509B (en) * 2012-04-06 2017-12-15 聚日（苏州）科技有限公司 A kind of solar cell and forming method thereof
CN103606570A (en) * 2013-11-21 2014-02-26 英利集团有限公司 Solar cell

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BRPI1007652A2 (en) 2019-09-24
EP2427916A2 (en) 2012-03-14

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