First Solar. has filed a patent for a photovoltaic device with a CdSeTe layer and a p-type semiconductor absorber layer. The method involves forming the CdSeTe layer over a substrate structure with a TCO layer and alloying it to create an absorber layer with a gradient of selenium concentration. GlobalData’s report on First Solar gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on First Solar, Photovoltaic roof tiles was a key innovation area identified from patents. First Solar's grant share as of January 2024 was 38%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for forming photovoltaic structure with cdsete absorber layer
The patent application (Publication Number: US20240030367A1) describes a method for forming a photovoltaic structure involving the creation of an absorber layer over a substrate structure. The method includes steps such as providing a substrate structure with a transparent conductive oxide layer, forming a CdSeTe layer over the substrate, alloying the CdSeTe layer to create the absorber layer, and forming a back contact over the absorber layer. The absorber layer is composed of a p-type cadmium selenide telluride layer with a gradient of selenium concentration, higher near the substrate structure and decreasing towards the back contact.
Furthermore, the patent application details variations in the method, such as different techniques for forming the CdSeTe layer, incorporating dopants into the absorber layer, and depositing additional layers like CdTe. The application also includes steps for activating the absorber layer through contact with materials containing chlorine and annealing processes. The resulting photovoltaic structure features a p-n junction between the absorber layer and the substrate structure, with specific compositional ratios of selenium throughout the absorber layer. The method aims to optimize the efficiency and performance of the photovoltaic structure by carefully controlling the composition and formation of the absorber layer.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
