An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.

Disclosed is interdigitated back contact (IBC) photovoltaic devices and modules that are based on a silicon structured device which includes: a silicon-based substrate, an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer a-Si:H(i) situated on substrate a first patterned silicon layer, and a second patterned nano-crystalline silicon layer on the first patterned silicon layer. The second patterned layer is of the same type of doping than the first patterned silicon layer The first patterned layer and the second patterned layer form photovoltaic structures, of which at least one constitutes a fiducial mark having, in a predetermined wavelength range, a different optical reflectivity, than the reflectivity of the intrinsic amorphous silicon (a-Si:H(i)) layer portions interstices between the photovoltaic structures. Also disclosed are a photovoltaic device, photovoltaic modules and a method of fabrication of the photovoltaic device.

Disclosed is interdigitated back contact (IBC) photovoltaic devices and modules that are based on a silicon structured device which includes: a silicon-based substrate, an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer a-Si:H(i) situated on substrate a first patterned silicon layer, and a second patterned nano-crystalline silicon layer on the first patterned silicon layer. The second patterned layer is of the same type of doping than the first patterned silicon layer The first patterned layer and the second patterned layer form photovoltaic structures, of which at least one constitutes a fiducial mark having, in a predetermined wavelength range, a different optical reflectivity, than the reflectivity of the intrinsic amorphous silicon (a-Si:H(i)) layer portions interstices between the photovoltaic structures. Also disclosed are a photovoltaic device, photovoltaic modules and a method of fabrication of the photovoltaic device.

A tandem photovoltaic device includes: a tunnel junction between an upper cell unit and a lower cell unit. The lower cell unit is a crystalline silicon cell. The tunnel junction includes: a carrier transport layer, a crystalline silicon layer, and an intermediate layer located between the carrier transport layer and the crystalline silicon layer. The carrier transport layer is a metal oxide layer. The intermediate layer includes a tunneling layer. The crystalline silicon layer has a doping concentration greater than or equal to 10.sup.17 cm.sup.−3. The carrier transport layer is in direct contact with a shadow surface of the upper cell unit. If the crystalline silicon layer is a p-type crystalline silicon layer, a first energy level is close to a second energy level. If the crystalline silicon layer is an n-type crystalline silicon layer, a third energy level is close to a fourth energy level.

A tandem photovoltaic device includes: a tunnel junction between an upper cell unit and a lower cell unit. The lower cell unit is a crystalline silicon cell. The tunnel junction includes: a carrier transport layer, a crystalline silicon layer, and an intermediate layer located between the carrier transport layer and the crystalline silicon layer. The carrier transport layer is a metal oxide layer. The intermediate layer includes a tunneling layer. The crystalline silicon layer has a doping concentration greater than or equal to 10.sup.17 cm.sup.−3. The carrier transport layer is in direct contact with a shadow surface of the upper cell unit. If the crystalline silicon layer is a p-type crystalline silicon layer, a first energy level is close to a second energy level. If the crystalline silicon layer is an n-type crystalline silicon layer, a third energy level is close to a fourth energy level.

A solar cell can include a silicon semiconductor substrate; an oxide layer on a first surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate; a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer; a diffusion region at a second surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate; a dielectric film on the polysilicon layer; a first electrode connected to the polysilicon layer through the dielectric film; a passivation film on the diffusion region; and a second electrode connected to the diffusion region through the passivation film.

A solar cell can include a silicon semiconductor substrate; an oxide layer on a first surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate; a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer; a diffusion region at a second surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate; a dielectric film on the polysilicon layer; a first electrode connected to the polysilicon layer through the dielectric film; a passivation film on the diffusion region; and a second electrode connected to the diffusion region through the passivation film.

A method of generating electricity from light, that uses a photovoltaic array, that includes a junction between an inorganic electron-donating layer and an inorganic electron-accepting layer. The electron-donating layer includes moieties which after photon activation have unpaired electrons, and wherein some of the electrons are freed when light strikes the electron-donating layer, thereby transforming the moieties into free radicals or equivalents but many of the freed electrons recombine. Also, many of the free radicals or equivalents in the triplet state are optimally responsive to a selective magnetic field that has been determined to optimally increase the lifetime of the triplet state of the free radicals and thereby forestall recombination of the freed electrons into the free radicals. A magnetic field of substantially the optimal strength that is substantially unvarying over the electron donating layer is created as the array is being exposed to light.

A method of generating electricity from light, that uses a photovoltaic array, that includes a junction between an inorganic electron-donating layer and an inorganic electron-accepting layer. The electron-donating layer includes moieties which after photon activation have unpaired electrons, and wherein some of the electrons are freed when light strikes the electron-donating layer, thereby transforming the moieties into free radicals or equivalents but many of the freed electrons recombine. Also, many of the free radicals or equivalents in the triplet state are optimally responsive to a selective magnetic field that has been determined to optimally increase the lifetime of the triplet state of the free radicals and thereby forestall recombination of the freed electrons into the free radicals. A magnetic field of substantially the optimal strength that is substantially unvarying over the electron donating layer is created as the array is being exposed to light.

A solar cell apparatus 100 and a method for forming said solar cell apparatus 100, comprising a substrate 101, a n-type transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer 102 deposited atop said substrate 101, a p-i-n structure 200 that includes a p-type layer 103, an i-type layer 104, a n-type layer 105, a metal back layer 106 deposited atop said n-type layer 105 of the p-i-n structure 200. The n-type layer 105 comprises n-type donors 115 including phosphorus atoms. The n-type donors 115 include oxygen atoms at an atomic concentration comprised between 5% and 25% of the overall atomic composition of the n-type layer 105.