Elongated photovoltaic cells in casings with a filling layer

Abstract

A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The tubular shaped solar cell comprises a back-electrode, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent tubular casing is circumferentially sealed onto the transparent conductive layer of the cylindrical shaped solar cell. A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell, a filler layer, and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The cylindrical shaped solar cell comprises a cylindrical substrate, a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the cylindrical substrate, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The filler layer is circumferentially disposed on the transparent conductive layer and the transparent tubular casing is circumferentially disposed onto the filler layer.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A solar cell unit comprising:
 (A) a solar cell comprising:
 a rigid substrate, wherein the substrate is either (i) tubular or (ii) a solid rod; 
 a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on said substrate; 
 a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on said back-electrode; and 
 a transparent conductive layer disposed on said semiconductor junction; 
   (B) a filler layer circumferentially disposed on said transparent conductive layer; and   C) a transparent tubular casing circumferentially disposed onto said filler layer.   
     
     
         67 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein said rigid substrate has a solid core. 
     
     
         68 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the rigid substrate comprises plastic, metal or glass. 
     
     
         69 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the rigid substrate comprises a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer, polybenzamidazole, 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. 
     
     
         70 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the rigid 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. 
     
     
         71 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein said semiconductor junction comprises an absorber layer and a junction partner layer, wherein
 said junction partner layer is circumferentially disposed on said absorber layer; and   said absorber layer is circumferentially disposed on said back-electrode.   
     
     
         72 . The solar cell unit of  claim 71 , wherein said absorber layer is copper-indium-gallium-diselenide and said junction partner layer is In 2 Se 3 , In 2 S 3 , ZnS, ZnSe, CdInS, CdZnS, ZnIn 2 Se 4 , Zn 1-x MgO, CdS, SnO 2 , ZnO, ZrO 2 , or doped ZnO. 
     
     
         73 . The solar cell unit of  claim 71 , wherein the absorber layer comprises CIGS having a <110> crystallographic orientation a <112> crystallographic orientation, or no crystallographic orientation. 
     
     
         74 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein said solar cell unit further comprises:
 (D) an antireflective coating circumferentially disposed on said transparent tubular casing.   
     
     
         75 . The solar cell unit of  claim 74 , wherein the antireflective coating comprises MgF 2 , silicon nitrate, titanium nitrate, silicon monoxide, or silicon oxide nitrite. 
     
     
         76 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein 
       
         
           
             
               
                 r 
                 i 
               
               ≥ 
               
                 
                   r 
                   o 
                 
                 
                   η 
                   
                     outer 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     ring 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       wherein
 r i  is a radius of the solar cell; 
 r o  is the radius of the transparent tubular casing; and 
 η outer ring  is the refractive index of the transparent tubular casing. 
 
     
     
         77 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is formed directly on said filler layer by casting or UV curing. 
     
     
         78 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises a plurality of transparent tubular casing layers including a first transparent tubular casing layer and a second transparent tubular casing layer, and wherein the first transparent tubular casing layer is circumferentially disposed on said filler layer and the second transparent tubular casing layer is circumferentially disposed on said first transparent tubular casing layer. 
     
     
         79 . A solar cell unit comprising:
 (A) a solar cell comprising:
 a rigid substrate, wherein said substrate is either (i) tubular or (ii) a solid rod; 
 a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the rigid substrate; 
 a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode; and 
 a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction; 
   (B) a water resistant layer circumferentially disposed on the transparent conductive layer;   (C) a filler layer circumferentially disposed on the water resistant layer; and   (D) a transparent tubular casing circumferentially disposed on the filler layer.   
     
     
         80 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein said rigid substrate is a tube. 
     
     
         81 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein 
       
         
           
             
               
                 r 
                 i 
               
               ≥ 
               
                 
                   r 
                   o 
                 
                 
                   η 
                   
                     outer 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     ring 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       wherein
 r i  is a radius of the solar cell; 
 r o  is the radius of the transparent tubular casing; and 
 η outer ring  is the refractive index of the transparent tubular casing. 
 
     
     
         82 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises a plurality of transparent tubular casing layers including a first transparent tubular casing layer and a second transparent tubular casing layer, and wherein the first transparent tubular casing layer is circumferentially disposed on said filler layer and the second transparent tubular casing layer is circumferentially disposed on said first transparent tubular casing layer. 
     
     
         83 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is formed by casting or UV curing directly onto the filler layer. 
     
     
         84 . A solar cell unit comprising:
 (A) a solar cell comprising:
 a rigid substrate, wherein said substrate is tubular or a solid rod shaped; 
 a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on said rigid substrate; 
 a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on said back-electrode; and 
 a transparent conductive layer disposed on said semiconductor junction; 
   (B) a filler layer circumferentially disposed on said transparent conductive layer;   (C) a water resistant layer circumferentially disposed on said filler layer; and   (D) a transparent tubular casing circumferentially disposed onto said water resistant layer.   
     
     
         85 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein 
       
         
           
             
               
                 r 
                 i 
               
               ≥ 
               
                 
                   r 
                   o 
                 
                 
                   η 
                   
                     outer 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     ring 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       wherein
 r i  is a radius of the solar cell; 
 r o  is the radius of the transparent tubular casing; and 
 η outer ring  is the refractive index of the transparent tubular casing. 
 
     
     
         86 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein said rigid substrate is a tube. 
     
     
         87 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is formed by casting or UV curing directly onto the water resistant layer. 
     
     
         88 - 94 . (canceled) 
     
     
         95 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing 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, flint glass, or cereated glass. 
     
     
         96 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer, a silicone, a silicone gel, an epoxy, a polyamide, or a polyolefin. 
     
     
         97 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon (PFA), nylon, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephtalate glycol (PETG), polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 
     
     
         98 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing 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, flint glass, or cereated glass. 
     
     
         99 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer, a silicone, a silicone gel, an epoxy, a polyamide, or a polyolefin. 
     
     
         100 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon (PFA), nylon, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephtalate glycol (PETG), polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 
     
     
         101 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the transparent tubular casing 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, flint glass, or cereated glass. 
     
     
         102 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer, a silicone, a silicone gel, an epoxy, a polyamide, or a polyolefin. 
     
     
         103 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the transparent tubular casing comprises polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon (PFA), nylon, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephtalate glycol (PETG), polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 
     
     
         104 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the filler layer comprises 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. 
     
     
         105 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the filler layer comprises 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. 
     
     
         106 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the filler layer comprises 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. 
     
     
         107 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the solar cell has a length and a diameter, wherein the length is much larger than the diameter and wherein a cross-section of the solar cell has cross-sectional radial symmetry or approximate cross-sectional radial symmetry. 
     
     
         108 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the solar cell has a length and a diameter, wherein the length is much larger than the diameter and wherein a cross-section of the solar cell has cross-sectional radial symmetry or approximate cross-sectional radial symmetry. 
     
     
         109 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the solar cell has a length and a diameter, wherein the length is much larger than the diameter and wherein a cross-section of the solar cell has cross-sectional radial symmetry or approximate cross-sectional radial symmetry. 
     
     
         110 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the semiconductor junction comprises a first composition that comprises a first semiconductor element and said second layer comprises a second composition that comprises a second semiconductor element, wherein said first semiconductor element is different than said second semiconductor element and wherein the first composition in the first layer forms a junction with said second composition in said second composition in said second layer. 
     
     
         111 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the semiconductor junction comprises a first composition that comprises a first semiconductor element and said second layer comprises a second composition that comprises a second semiconductor element, wherein said first semiconductor element is different than said second semiconductor element and wherein the first composition in the first layer forms a junction with said second composition in said second composition in said second layer. 
     
     
         112 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein said semiconductor junction comprises an absorber layer and a junction partner layer, wherein
 said junction partner layer is circumferentially disposed on said absorber layer; and   said absorber layer is circumferentially disposed on said back-electrode.   
     
     
         113 . The solar cell unit of  claim 112 , wherein said absorber layer is copper-indium-gallium-diselenide and said junction partner layer is In 2 Se 3 , In 2 S 3 , ZnS, ZnSe, CdInS, CdZnS, ZnIn 2 Se 4 , Zn 1-x MgO, CdS, SnO 2 , ZnO, ZrO 2 , or doped ZnO. 
     
     
         114 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the semiconductor junction comprises a first composition that comprises a first semiconductor element and said second layer comprises a second composition that comprises a second semiconductor element, wherein said first semiconductor element is different than said second semiconductor element and wherein the first composition in the first layer forms a junction with said second composition in said second composition in said second layer. 
     
     
         115 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein said semiconductor junction comprises an absorber layer and a junction partner layer, wherein
 said junction partner layer is circumferentially disposed on said absorber layer; and   said absorber layer is circumferentially disposed on said back-electrode.   
     
     
         116 . The solar cell unit of  claim 115 , wherein said absorber layer is copper-indium-gallium-diselenide and said junction partner layer is In 2 Se 3 , In 2 S 3 , ZnS, ZnSe, CdInS, CdZnS, ZnIn 2 Se 4 , Zn 1-x MgO, CdS, SnO 2 , ZnO, ZrO 2 , or doped ZnO. 
     
     
         117 . The solar cell unit of  claim 66 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is made out of plastic or glass. 
     
     
         118 . The solar cell unit of  claim 79 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is made out of plastic or glass. 
     
     
         119 . The solar cell unit of  claim 84 , wherein the transparent tubular casing is made out of plastic or glass.