First Solar. has been granted a patent for a photovoltaic device featuring an electron blocking layer made of cadmium zinc telluride and an absorber layer of cadmium telluride selenide. The design minimizes lattice mismatch between the layers, enhancing efficiency in solar energy conversion. 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 July 2024 was 39%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Photovoltaic device with electron blocking and absorber layers
The granted patent US12021163B2 describes a photovoltaic device that incorporates a multi-layer structure designed to enhance efficiency in solar energy conversion. The device features a front layer stack composed of transparent layers, an absorber layer made from cadmium, tellurium, and selenium, and an electron blocking layer that is strategically positioned to optimize performance. The electron blocking layer has a band gap at least 0.1 eV greater than that of the absorber layer, which is crucial for preventing electron recombination. Additionally, the patent specifies that the lattice mismatch between the electron blocking layer and the absorber layer should be less than 2%, ensuring compatibility and structural integrity.
Further claims detail the composition and grading of the materials used in the device. The absorber layer and electron blocking layer are both compositionally graded, with specific mole ratios of cadmium, zinc, tellurium, and selenium defined to enhance their performance. A transition layer may also be included to facilitate the interface between the absorber and electron blocking layers, maintaining a low difference in composition throughout. The back contact layer, which may consist of zinc telluride, is positioned to complete the device structure. Overall, the claims emphasize the importance of material composition, structural alignment, and grading in achieving a high-efficiency photovoltaic device.
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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.
