Monolithic integration of non-planar solar cells

Abstract

A solar cell unit comprising a substrate and a plurality of photovoltaic cells is provided. The substrate has a first end and a second end. The plurality of photovoltaic cells, which are linearly arranged on the substrate, comprises a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell. Each photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises (i) a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the substrate, (ii) a semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and, (iii) a transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent conductive layer of the first photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells is in serial electrical communication with the back-electrode of the second photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

1 . A solar cell unit comprising:
 (A) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate has at least one non-planar surface; and   (B) a plurality of photovoltaic cells linearly disposed on said at least one non-planar surface, the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprising a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, wherein   the first photovoltaic cell in said plurality of photovoltaic cells is coupled electrically in series to the second photovoltaic cell in said plurality of photovoltaic cells.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises three or more photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         6 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises ten or more photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         7 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises fifty or more photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         8 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises one hundred or more photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises plastic, metal or glass. 
     
     
         15 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer, polybenzimidazole, polymide, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyetheretherketone, polyamide-imide, glass-based phenolic, polystyrene, cross-linked polystyrene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polytetrafluoro-ethylene, polymethacrylate, nylon 6,6, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate, rigid vinyl, plasticized vinyl, or polypropylene. 
     
     
         16 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, dichroic glass, germanium/semiconductor glass, glass ceramic, silicate/fused silica glass, soda lime glass, quartz glass, chalcogenide/sulphide glass, fluoride glass, a glass-based phenolic, flint glass, or cereated glass. 
     
     
         17 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is has a hollowed cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         18 . The solar cell unit of  claim 17 , wherein the substrate is configured so that a fluid is passed through said substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The solar cell unit of  claim 18 , wherein said fluid is air, water, nitrogen, or helium. 
     
     
         20 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a rigid solid rod. 
     
     
         21 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the back-electrode of a photovoltaic cell in said plurality of photovoltaic cells is made of aluminum, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, rhodium, niobium, chromium, tantalum, titanium, steel, nickel, platinum, silver, gold, an alloy thereof, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein a length of said solar cell unit is between 2 centimeters and 300 centimeters. 
     
     
         40 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein a length of said solar cell unit is between 2 centimeters and 30 centimeters. 
     
     
         41 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein a length of said solar cell unit is between 30 centimeters and 300 centimeters. 
     
     
         42 . A solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of solar cell units, each solar cell unit in the plurality of solar cell units having the structure of the solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein solar cell units in said plurality of solar cell units are arranged in coplanar rows to form said solar cell assembly. 
     
     
         43 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A solar cell assembly comprising:
 (A) a plurality of solar cell units, each solar cell unit in the plurality of solar cell units having the structure of the solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein solar cell units in said plurality of solar cells units are geometrically arranged in a parallel or a near parallel manner thereby forming a planar array having a first face and a second face;   (B) a transparent electrically insulating substrate that covers all or a portion of said first face of said planar array; and   (C) a transparent insulating covering disposed on said second face of said planar array, thereby encasing said plurality of elongated solar cells between said transparent insulating covering and said transparent electrically insulating substrate.   
     
     
         54 . The solar cell assembly of  claim 53 , wherein said transparent insulating covering and said transparent insulating substrate are bonded together by a sealant. 
     
     
         55 . The solar cell assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said sealant is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), silicone, silicone gel, epoxy, polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), RTV silicone rubber, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polycarbonate, an acrylic, a fluoropolymer, or a urethane. 
     
     
         56 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A solar cell unit comprising:
 (A) a substrate, wherein the substrate has at least one non-planar surface;   (B) a first photovoltaic cell comprising:
 a first back-electrode circumferentially disposed on a first portion of said substrate; 
 a first semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on said first back-electrode; and 
 a first transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on said first semiconductor junction; and 
   (C) a second photovoltaic cell comprising:
 a second back-electrode circumferentially disposed on a second portion of said substrate; 
 a second semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on said second back-electrode; and 
 a second transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on said second semiconductor junction; wherein 
   (i) the first photovoltaic cell is adjacent to the second photovoltaic cell;   (ii) the first transparent conductive layer is in serial electrical communication with the second back-electrode;   (iii) the first transparent conductive layer is electrically isolated from the second transparent conductive layer; and   (iv) the first back-electrode is electrically isolated from the second back-electrode.   
     
     
         60 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . The solar cell unit of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is either (i) tubular shaped or (ii) a rigid solid rod shaped. 
     
     
         64 . The solar cell unit of  claim 59 , wherein the substrate is either (i) tubular shaped or (ii) a rigid solid rod shaped. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled)