US20150053258A1 - Hermetically sealed glass photovoltaic module - Google Patents
Hermetically sealed glass photovoltaic module Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150053258A1 US20150053258A1 US14/457,917 US201414457917A US2015053258A1 US 20150053258 A1 US20150053258 A1 US 20150053258A1 US 201414457917 A US201414457917 A US 201414457917A US 2015053258 A1 US2015053258 A1 US 2015053258A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- glass
- photovoltaic module
- photovoltaic device
- photovoltaic
- glass sheet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 189
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 65
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910004613 CdTe Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910021419 crystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- DVRDHUBQLOKMHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N chalcopyrite Chemical compound [S-2].[S-2].[Fe+2].[Cu+2] DVRDHUBQLOKMHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052951 chalcopyrite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 25
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 7
- 125000000484 butyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 6
- 239000008393 encapsulating agent Substances 0.000 description 6
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- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
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- 229920002620 polyvinyl fluoride Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
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- KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Na2O Inorganic materials [O-2].[Na+].[Na+] KKCBUQHMOMHUOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 description 1
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KTSFMFGEAAANTF-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Cu].[Se].[Se].[In] Chemical compound [Cu].[Se].[Se].[In] KTSFMFGEAAANTF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002318 adhesion promoter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006107 alkali alkaline earth silicate glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005397 alkali-lead silicate glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005359 alkaline earth aluminosilicate glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052785 arsenic Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N arsenic atom Chemical compound [As] RQNWIZPPADIBDY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005388 borosilicate glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- WILFBXOGIULNAF-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper sulfanylidenetin zinc Chemical compound [Sn]=S.[Zn].[Cu] WILFBXOGIULNAF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052593 corundum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009477 glass transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000554 ionomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002037 poly(vinyl butyral) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005361 soda-lime glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052716 thallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BKVIYDNLLOSFOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N thallium Chemical compound [Tl] BKVIYDNLLOSFOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001845 yogo sapphire Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K85/00—Organic materials used in the body or electrodes of devices covered by this subclass
- H10K85/50—Organic perovskites; Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites [HOIP], e.g. CH3NH3PbI3
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- H10K30/00—Organic devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation
- H10K30/80—Constructional details
- H10K30/88—Passivation; Containers; Encapsulations
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/541—CuInSe2 material PV cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/542—Dye sensitized solar cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/544—Solar cells from Group III-V materials
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/547—Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/548—Amorphous silicon PV cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the present invention relates to photovoltaic devices, and in particular to glass-sealed photovoltaic modules.
- PV modules based on silicon (Si) wafer technology employ a front glass/encapsulant/wafer/encapsulant/backsheet structure.
- Polyvinyl fluoride e.g., Tedlar® from DuPont
- Tedlar® is the most commonly used backsheet in wafer-based Si PV modules. This material is inherently transparent for water vapor and gases—i.e., it does not enable or maintain a hermetic seal.
- Thin-film PV modules based on amorphous Si (a-Si), CdTe, or copper indium gallium selenide (CuIn x Ga 1-x Se 2 or CIGS) most often utilize a glass-glass architecture with one of the glass sheets either serving as the substrate (CIGS) or superstrate (a-Si, CdTe) onto which the active PV material is deposited directly.
- the function of the second glass sheet is to serve as either the protective top (CIGS) or back cover (a-Si, CdTe). Both sheets of glass are held together with a single encapsulant layer.
- the 1.8-4 mm-thick sheets of glass are impermeable to water and gases.
- butyl-based edge seals are typically applied, as butyl rubber has water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) on the order of 10 ⁇ 6 g/m 2 -day, orders of magnitude below the WVTR for typical encapsulant materials.
- WVTR water vapor transmission rates
- Embodiments of the present invention provide PV modules hermetically sealed against environmental contamination via edge seals consisting entirely of glass. While preferred embodiments of the invention utilize “thin-film” PV modules featuring PV devices based on CIGS, a-Si, or CdTe, other embodiments of the invention utilize PV devices based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- crystalline Si e.g., in wafer or ribbon form
- III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- PV devices are the active PV materials within PV modules, and these typically include or consist essentially of materials forming one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions that each absorb at least a portion of the solar spectrum and convert it into electricity.
- a powder consisting essentially of or consisting of glass is utilized to seal a PV device fronted and backed by glass sheets, thereby forming a sealed PV module.
- the glass powder is locally heated to a temperature higher than the melting point, glass transition temperature, and/or softening point of the powder such that the powder softens and/or flows into a unified mass that bonds with the glass sheets to form a hermetic seal.
- embodiments of the present invention increase the active area of the PV module, and hence the power output for a fixed PV module size.
- Typical safety requirements e.g., IEC or UL, mandate a minimum insulation distance from the current-carrying live parts inside a PV module to the outside edge of the module—i.e., the clearance and creepage distance.
- Such “edge delete” losses depend on various aspects such as the total system voltage or micro-environment (e.g., pollution degree and altitude), but are typically at the order of 8-15 mm.
- the insulation against electrical shock is compromised and, in the case of moisture ingress, current can track over the glass or polymer surface from the module circuit to its edge.
- the glass-based seals in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are truly durable cemented joints retaining their superior electrical insulation properties over time. These seals allow the clearance—i.e., the edge delete—to be smaller, in turn proportionally increasing the power output from the PV module for the same total area.
- the polymeric encapsulant (filler sheet)—e.g., EVA, PVB, polyolefin, ionomers, TPU—conventionally utilized to bond glass sheets together may be eliminated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
- filler sheets are typically the most expensive elements of thin-film PV modules.
- embodiments of the invention enable significant reductions in material cost.
- elimination of polymeric filler sheets and the conventional butyl rubber edge seals also enables PV modules in accordance with embodiments of the invention to obtain higher fire ratings.
- elimination of such conventional polymer-based filler sheets and edge seals obviates the need for the slow and capital-intensive lamination step, resulting in additional manufacturing cost savings for PV modules in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
- PV modules that are hermetically sealed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention exhibit advantageously enhanced durability in climates and/or ambient conditions that have high relative humidity, e.g., coastal or equatorial locations.
- PV modules and devices sealed in accordance with embodiments of the invention do not rely on seals based on glass-polymer adhesion, they are less susceptible than to fatigue under conditions such as UV radiation, elevated temperature, and high humidity or moisture levels. Glass-polymer bonds also tend to be susceptible to failure due to mechanical stresses from, e.g., etch pinch during module lamination.
- embodiments of the invention feature a photovoltaic module that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a first glass sheet, a photovoltaic device disposed on the first glass sheet, a second glass sheet disposed over and in contact with at least a portion of the photovoltaic device, and a layer of melted glass powder.
- the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet have a gap therebetween spanned, over only a portion of an area of the gap, by the photovoltaic device, and the layer of melted glass powder seals the gap between the first and second glass sheets at an edge region proximate an edge of at least one of the first or second glass sheets so as to hermetically seal the photovoltaic device.
- Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following in any of a variety of different combinations.
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an active region including, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions.
- the photovoltaic module may include (i) a first substrate layer disposed between the active region and the first glass sheet and/or (ii) a second substrate layer disposed between the active region and the second glass sheet.
- the first and/or second substrate layers may each include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal foil and/or a polymer layer.
- a conductive bus ribbon may be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic device and may extend out from the first and second glass sheets in contact with the layer of melted glass powder.
- the conductive bus ribbon may be (i) disposed in contact with both the first and second glass sheets, (ii) disposed in contact with the first glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the second glass sheet, (iii) disposed in contact with the second glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first glass sheet, or (iv) disposed in contact with the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first or second glass sheets.
- the melted glass powder may include a colorant or other absorber utilized to, e.g., locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light.
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of multiple junctions, each of which is a p-n junction or a p-i-n junction.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of amorphous silicon.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of CdTe.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 ).
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of kesterite (Cu 2 (Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se) 4 ).
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of crystalline silicon and/or GaAs.
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- the composition of the melted glass powder may be substantially the same as the composition of the first and/or second glass sheets.
- the composition of the melted glass powder may be different from a composition of either of the first or second glass sheets (i.e., different from the compositions of both of the first and second glass sheets).
- embodiments of the invention feature a method of hermetically sealing a photovoltaic module.
- a structure includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a first glass sheet, a photovoltaic device disposed on the first glass sheet, and a second glass sheet disposed over and in contact with at least a portion of the photovoltaic device, the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet defining a gap therebetween spanned, over only a portion of an area of the gap, by the photovoltaic device.
- a powder is disposed within the gap at an edge region proximate an edge of at least one of the first or second glass sheets.
- the powder includes, consists essentially of, or consists of glass.
- the powder is heated within the gap to seal the first and second glass sheets at the edge region with a layer of melted glass powder.
- Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following in any of a variety of different combinations. Heating the powder may include, consist essentially of, or consist of application of laser energy to the powder (e.g., through one or both of the first or second glass sheets).
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an active region including, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions.
- the photovoltaic module may include (i) a first substrate layer disposed between the active region and the first glass sheet and/or (ii) a second substrate layer disposed between the active region and the second glass sheet.
- the first and/or second substrate layers may each include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal foil and/or a polymer layer.
- a conductive bus ribbon may be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic device and may extend out from the first and second glass sheets in contact with the layer of melted glass powder (i.e., the powder may be melted at least partially around the bus ribbon in the edge region).
- the conductive bus ribbon may be (i) disposed in contact with both the first and second glass sheets, (ii) disposed in contact with the first glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the second glass sheet, (iii) disposed in contact with the second glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first glass sheet, or (iv) disposed in contact with the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first or second glass sheets.
- the powder may include a colorant or other absorber utilized to, e.g., locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light.
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of multiple junctions, each of which is a p-n junction or a p-i-n junction.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of amorphous silicon.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of CdTe.
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 ).
- the photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of kesterite (Cu 2 (Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se) 4 ).
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of crystalline silicon and/or GaAs.
- the photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- the composition of the melted glass powder may be substantially the same as the composition of the first and/or second glass sheets.
- the composition of the melted glass powder may be different from a composition of either of the first or second glass sheets (i.e., different from the compositions of both of the first and second glass sheets).
- a structure consisting essentially of glass will generally include only glass and only unintentional impurities (which may be metallic or non-metallic) that may be detectable via chemical analysis but do not contribute to function.
- a powder or seal consisting essentially of glass typically does not incorporate organic fillers, binders, solvents, glass frit, frit material(s), glass solder, and/or melting-point reduction agents such as Pb.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a portion of a photovoltaic module being sealed via application of thermal energy in accordance with various embodiments of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a photovoltaic module in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic cross-sections of edge portions of sealed photovoltaic modules in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a PV module 100 being sealed at an edge region via application of thermal energy in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
- the PV module 100 includes an active PV device 110 , one or more conductive bus ribbons 120 , a lower glass sheet 130 , and an upper glass sheet 140 .
- While preferred embodiments of the invention utilize thin-film PV modules 100 featuring PV devices 110 based on CIGS, a-Si, or CdTe, other embodiments of the invention utilize PV devices 110 based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid incorporating a dye such as hybrid perovskite CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 dye).
- the one or more bus ribbons 120 are electrically coupled to the PV device 110 and extend beyond the lower glass sheet 130 and upper glass sheet 140 (see FIG. 2 ), thereby enabling external electrical contact to the PV device 110 .
- the bus ribbon(s) may include, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more highly electrically conductive metals, e.g., aluminum, copper, or a multilayer stack of one or more aluminum layers and one or more copper layers.
- conventional alkali alkaline-earth silicate glasses i.e., soda lime glass
- alkali-lead silicate glass alkaline-earth aluminosilicate glass
- borosilicate glass any of which might also be utilized.
- one or both of the lower glass sheet 130 and the upper glass sheet 140 have a composition that is approximately 71% SiO 2 , approximately 15% alkali (e.g., primarily Na 2 O, but may also include K 2 O), approximately 13-16% alkaline earths (e.g., CaO+MgO), approximately 0-2% Al 2 O 3 , and, in some embodiments, BaO.
- alkali e.g., primarily Na 2 O, but may also include K 2 O
- approximately 13-16% alkaline earths e.g., CaO+MgO
- approximately 0-2% Al 2 O 3 e.g., BaO.
- a gap 150 between the glass sheets 130 , 140 is partially or substantially filled with a glass powder 160 at or near the edge of at least one of the glass sheets 130 , 140 , and the glass powder 160 is then melted via application of thermal energy 170 .
- the glass powder 160 may be dispensed within the gap 150 (or on at least one of the glass sheets 130 , 140 in the vicinity of gap 150 prior to one or both of the glass sheets 130 , 140 being applied to the PV device 110 ) as a bead.
- the gap 150 between the glass sheets 130 , 140 has a thickness (i.e., height) between approximately 50 ⁇ m and approximately 500 ⁇ m, for example, between approximately 50 ⁇ m and 100 ⁇ m.
- the glass powder 160 may have a grain size (or range of grain sizes) optimized to allow fast melting/fusing and to provide a geometrically stable powder track (e.g., width and height) during powder dispense.
- the glass powder 160 may have a grain size between approximately 0.1 ⁇ m and approximately 10 ⁇ m, or even between approximately 0.1 ⁇ m and 1 ⁇ m.
- the glass powder 160 does not require any preconditioning after it has been dispensed onto one or both of the glass sheets 130 , 140 , i.e. the upper glass sheet 140 may be placed on top immediately after the glass powder 160 is dispensed, and the sealing step is conducted in one operation.
- the melted glass powder 160 fuses into a solid glass seal filling the gap 150 between the sheets 130 , 140 and bonding to the sheets 130 , 140 , thereby forming a hermetic seal that is much more durable than similar seals utilizing polymer-based fills.
- the glass powder 160 may consist entirely or essentially of glass, in contrast with glass-frit materials that incorporate organic fillers, binders, solvents, and/or melting-point reduction agents such as Pb.
- the glass powder may include colorants or other absorbers utilized to locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light.
- the glass powder 160 utilized to seal the gap 150 has the same composition as at least one of the glass sheets 130 , 140 .
- the glass powder 160 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a low-melting glass that fuses with glass sheets 130 , 140 upon melting.
- the melting point of the glass powder 160 may be, for example, between approximately 200° C. and approximately 550° C., or even between approximately 200° C. and approximately 400° C.
- the glass powder 160 includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a zinc-silicoborate glass and/or a binary or ternary mixture of thallium, arsenic and sulfur.
- pressure 180 is applied to one or both of the glass sheets 130 , 140 in order to facilitate seal formation when the glass powder 160 is heated.
- various embodiments utilize laser energy as the thermal energy 170 to heat and melt the glass powder 160 during seal formation.
- the laser utilized to impart the thermal energy 170 may emit substantially red light.
- the laser energy 170 may be applied via one or multiple passes along the edges of glass sheets 130 , 140 by a laser, depending upon how well the beam energy is coupled into the glass powder 160 and how best to minimize any thermally induced stress in the glass sheets 130 , 140 along the seal.
- the laser energy 170 is pulsed in order to prevent excess heating of the PV device 110 and/or other parts of module 100 away from the edge region being sealed.
- the localized heating temperature does not exceed 400-500° C. for times of ⁇ 1 minute, does not exceed 300-400° C. for times of ⁇ 1-3 minutes, and/or does not exceed 200-300° C. for times of ⁇ 3-10 minutes.
- one or more conductive bus ribbons 120 may be electrically coupled to the sealed PV device 110 and extend out of the sealed module 100 through the layer of melted glass powder 160 .
- An example is shown in the plan view of FIG. 2 , in which upper glass sheet 140 is omitted for clarity.
- the PV device 110 itself includes or consists essentially of one or more p-n and/or p-i-n junctions (i.e., homojunctions and/or heterojunctions), and may be fabricated from a-Si, CdTe, or a chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 ) such as CIGS or a kesterite (Cu 2 (Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se) 4 ) such as CZTS (copper zinc tin sulfide).
- a-Si, CdTe or a chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 ) such as CIGS or a kesterite (Cu 2 (Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se) 4 ) such as CZTS (copper zinc tin sulfide).
- PV devices 110 based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- crystalline Si e.g., in wafer or ribbon form
- III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid).
- the junction(s) of PV device 110 may be in direct contact with one or both of the glass sheets 130 , 140 (if, e.g., the glass sheets 130 , 140 are utilized as a substrate or superstrate for the PV device 110 ), or the PV device 110 may incorporate a substrate layer (e.g., a foil of a metal or another conductor, or of a polymer such as polyimide) below and/or above the PV device junctions and in contact with one or both of the glass sheets 130 , 140 .
- a substrate layer e.g., a foil of a metal or another conductor, or of a polymer such as polyimide
- the “substrate” is understood to include “superstrate” configurations as they are known in the art.
- the conductive bus ribbon 120 and glass-powder seal 160 may have any of several different configurations.
- the conductive bus ribbon 120 is in contact with both the upper glass sheet 140 and the lower glass sheet 130 , and the glass powder 160 seals the remaining portion of the gap 150 between the glass sheets 130 , 140 and contacts the bus ribbon 120 .
- the bus ribbon 120 is in contact with only the lower glass sheet 130 ( FIG. 3B ) or upper glass sheet 140 ( FIG. 3C ), and the glass powder 160 seals the remaining portion of the gap 150 between the glass sheets 130 , 140 and above or below the bus ribbon 120 .
- FIG. 3A the conductive bus ribbon 120 is in contact with both the upper glass sheet 140 and the lower glass sheet 130 , and the glass powder 160 seals the remaining portion of the gap 150 between the glass sheets 130 , 140 and above or below the bus ribbon 120 .
- the bus ribbon 120 extends through the glass-powder seal 160 without contacting either of the glass sheets 130 , 140 .
- the configurations of FIGS. 3B-3D may result in a metal-glass seal between the bus ribbon 120 and the glass powder 160 upon application of the localized thermal energy 170 .
- the surfaces of the glass sheets 130 , 140 to be joined together may be treated (e.g., cleaned to remove bond-impeding contamination or have thin surface layers removed) prior to the application of force 180 and localized heating 170 .
- the force 180 is typically applied to the surface of at least one of the glass sheets 130 , 140 until the glass powder 160 has melted, sealed the edge region, and then cooled to form a solid (or at least semi-solid) phase.
- any localized stress at the sealed edge region may be at least partially reduced via annealing of the sealed module 100 (or at least the sealed edge region) at a moderate temperature (e.g., at a temperature lower than the melting point and/or the softening point of the glass powder 160 ).
- a moderate temperature e.g., at a temperature lower than the melting point and/or the softening point of the glass powder 160 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/868,203, filed Aug. 21, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- In various embodiments, the present invention relates to photovoltaic devices, and in particular to glass-sealed photovoltaic modules.
- Current state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) modules based on silicon (Si) wafer technology employ a front glass/encapsulant/wafer/encapsulant/backsheet structure. Polyvinyl fluoride (e.g., Tedlar® from DuPont) is the most commonly used backsheet in wafer-based Si PV modules. This material is inherently transparent for water vapor and gases—i.e., it does not enable or maintain a hermetic seal. Thin-film PV modules based on amorphous Si (a-Si), CdTe, or copper indium gallium selenide (CuInxGa1-xSe2 or CIGS) most often utilize a glass-glass architecture with one of the glass sheets either serving as the substrate (CIGS) or superstrate (a-Si, CdTe) onto which the active PV material is deposited directly. The function of the second glass sheet is to serve as either the protective top (CIGS) or back cover (a-Si, CdTe). Both sheets of glass are held together with a single encapsulant layer. For practical purposes the 1.8-4 mm-thick sheets of glass are impermeable to water and gases. However, moisture and gas ingress can occur along the edges of the glass/encapsulant/glass sandwich. Exposure to such moisture can result in issues such as corrosion, decreased minority carrier lifetime, and increased series resistance, deleteriously impacting the performance and lifetime of the PV module. To slow down moisture ingress and gas permeation, butyl-based edge seals are typically applied, as butyl rubber has water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) on the order of 10−6g/m2-day, orders of magnitude below the WVTR for typical encapsulant materials.
- While the WVTR value for butyl is considered to be adequate for long-term protection, the overall vulnerability of a device to moisture usually derives less from the bulk diffusivity of the butyl than from the durability of the interface between the butyl and the glass. Adhesion promoters to establish coupling of the polymer to the glass are typically added to the butyl, but the resulting bonds tend to be weak and easily damaged by ultraviolet radiation, prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, and humidity—i.e., conditions in which PV modules are commonly deployed. Stresses present between the two sheets of glass can further strain the glass/butyl interfaces. Hence, even for such edge-sealed glass-glass structures, moisture penetration is a common field failure mode. Thus, there is a need for hermetically sealed modules and techniques that enable environmental protection of thin-film PV devices and which are superior to current butyl-rubber-based solutions.
- Embodiments of the present invention provide PV modules hermetically sealed against environmental contamination via edge seals consisting entirely of glass. While preferred embodiments of the invention utilize “thin-film” PV modules featuring PV devices based on CIGS, a-Si, or CdTe, other embodiments of the invention utilize PV devices based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid). As utilized herein, “PV devices” are the active PV materials within PV modules, and these typically include or consist essentially of materials forming one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions that each absorb at least a portion of the solar spectrum and convert it into electricity. In preferred embodiments, a powder consisting essentially of or consisting of glass is utilized to seal a PV device fronted and backed by glass sheets, thereby forming a sealed PV module. The glass powder is locally heated to a temperature higher than the melting point, glass transition temperature, and/or softening point of the powder such that the powder softens and/or flows into a unified mass that bonds with the glass sheets to form a hermetic seal.
- Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention increase the active area of the PV module, and hence the power output for a fixed PV module size. Typical safety requirements, e.g., IEC or UL, mandate a minimum insulation distance from the current-carrying live parts inside a PV module to the outside edge of the module—i.e., the clearance and creepage distance. Such “edge delete” losses depend on various aspects such as the total system voltage or micro-environment (e.g., pollution degree and altitude), but are typically at the order of 8-15 mm. As conventional polymeric edge seals can fail over time, the insulation against electrical shock is compromised and, in the case of moisture ingress, current can track over the glass or polymer surface from the module circuit to its edge. In contrast, the glass-based seals in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are truly durable cemented joints retaining their superior electrical insulation properties over time. These seals allow the clearance—i.e., the edge delete—to be smaller, in turn proportionally increasing the power output from the PV module for the same total area.
- In addition, the polymeric encapsulant (filler sheet)—e.g., EVA, PVB, polyolefin, ionomers, TPU—conventionally utilized to bond glass sheets together may be eliminated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. After the cost of the glass sheets, such filler sheets are typically the most expensive elements of thin-film PV modules. Thus, embodiments of the invention enable significant reductions in material cost. Furthermore, elimination of polymeric filler sheets and the conventional butyl rubber edge seals also enables PV modules in accordance with embodiments of the invention to obtain higher fire ratings. Moreover, elimination of such conventional polymer-based filler sheets and edge seals obviates the need for the slow and capital-intensive lamination step, resulting in additional manufacturing cost savings for PV modules in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
- PV modules that are hermetically sealed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention exhibit advantageously enhanced durability in climates and/or ambient conditions that have high relative humidity, e.g., coastal or equatorial locations. In addition, since PV modules and devices sealed in accordance with embodiments of the invention do not rely on seals based on glass-polymer adhesion, they are less susceptible than to fatigue under conditions such as UV radiation, elevated temperature, and high humidity or moisture levels. Glass-polymer bonds also tend to be susceptible to failure due to mechanical stresses from, e.g., etch pinch during module lamination.
- In an aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a photovoltaic module that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a first glass sheet, a photovoltaic device disposed on the first glass sheet, a second glass sheet disposed over and in contact with at least a portion of the photovoltaic device, and a layer of melted glass powder. The first glass sheet and the second glass sheet have a gap therebetween spanned, over only a portion of an area of the gap, by the photovoltaic device, and the layer of melted glass powder seals the gap between the first and second glass sheets at an edge region proximate an edge of at least one of the first or second glass sheets so as to hermetically seal the photovoltaic device.
- Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following in any of a variety of different combinations. The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an active region including, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions. The photovoltaic module may include (i) a first substrate layer disposed between the active region and the first glass sheet and/or (ii) a second substrate layer disposed between the active region and the second glass sheet. The first and/or second substrate layers may each include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal foil and/or a polymer layer. A conductive bus ribbon may be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic device and may extend out from the first and second glass sheets in contact with the layer of melted glass powder. In a region where the conductive bus ribbon extends out from the first and second glass sheets, the conductive bus ribbon may be (i) disposed in contact with both the first and second glass sheets, (ii) disposed in contact with the first glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the second glass sheet, (iii) disposed in contact with the second glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first glass sheet, or (iv) disposed in contact with the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first or second glass sheets. The melted glass powder may include a colorant or other absorber utilized to, e.g., locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light. The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of multiple junctions, each of which is a p-n junction or a p-i-n junction. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of amorphous silicon. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of CdTe. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2). The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of kesterite (Cu2(Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se)4). The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of crystalline silicon and/or GaAs. The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid). The composition of the melted glass powder may be substantially the same as the composition of the first and/or second glass sheets. The composition of the melted glass powder may be different from a composition of either of the first or second glass sheets (i.e., different from the compositions of both of the first and second glass sheets).
- In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a method of hermetically sealing a photovoltaic module. First, a structure is provided. The structure includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a first glass sheet, a photovoltaic device disposed on the first glass sheet, and a second glass sheet disposed over and in contact with at least a portion of the photovoltaic device, the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet defining a gap therebetween spanned, over only a portion of an area of the gap, by the photovoltaic device. A powder is disposed within the gap at an edge region proximate an edge of at least one of the first or second glass sheets. The powder includes, consists essentially of, or consists of glass. The powder is heated within the gap to seal the first and second glass sheets at the edge region with a layer of melted glass powder. Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following in any of a variety of different combinations. Heating the powder may include, consist essentially of, or consist of application of laser energy to the powder (e.g., through one or both of the first or second glass sheets). The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an active region including, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more p-n or p-i-n junctions. The photovoltaic module may include (i) a first substrate layer disposed between the active region and the first glass sheet and/or (ii) a second substrate layer disposed between the active region and the second glass sheet. The first and/or second substrate layers may each include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal foil and/or a polymer layer. A conductive bus ribbon may be electrically coupled to the photovoltaic device and may extend out from the first and second glass sheets in contact with the layer of melted glass powder (i.e., the powder may be melted at least partially around the bus ribbon in the edge region). In a region where the conductive bus ribbon extends out from the first and second glass sheets, the conductive bus ribbon may be (i) disposed in contact with both the first and second glass sheets, (ii) disposed in contact with the first glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the second glass sheet, (iii) disposed in contact with the second glass sheet and the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first glass sheet, or (iv) disposed in contact with the layer of melted glass powder, but not with the first or second glass sheets. The powder may include a colorant or other absorber utilized to, e.g., locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light.
- The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of multiple junctions, each of which is a p-n junction or a p-i-n junction. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of amorphous silicon. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of CdTe. The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2). The photovoltaic device may be a thin-film photovoltaic device that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of kesterite (Cu2(Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se)4). The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of crystalline silicon and/or GaAs. The photovoltaic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid). The composition of the melted glass powder may be substantially the same as the composition of the first and/or second glass sheets. The composition of the melted glass powder may be different from a composition of either of the first or second glass sheets (i.e., different from the compositions of both of the first and second glass sheets).
- These and other objects, along with advantages and features of the present invention herein disclosed, will become more apparent through reference to the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and may exist in various combinations and permutations. As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “substantially” mean ±10%, and in some embodiments, ±5%. The term “consists essentially of” means excluding other materials that contribute to function, unless otherwise defined herein. Nonetheless, such other materials may be present, collectively or individually, in trace amounts. For example, a structure consisting essentially of glass will generally include only glass and only unintentional impurities (which may be metallic or non-metallic) that may be detectable via chemical analysis but do not contribute to function. For example, a powder or seal consisting essentially of glass typically does not incorporate organic fillers, binders, solvents, glass frit, frit material(s), glass solder, and/or melting-point reduction agents such as Pb.
- In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a portion of a photovoltaic module being sealed via application of thermal energy in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a photovoltaic module in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and -
FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic cross-sections of edge portions of sealed photovoltaic modules in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. -
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of aPV module 100 being sealed at an edge region via application of thermal energy in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As shown, thePV module 100 includes anactive PV device 110, one or moreconductive bus ribbons 120, alower glass sheet 130, and anupper glass sheet 140. While preferred embodiments of the invention utilize thin-film PV modules 100 featuringPV devices 110 based on CIGS, a-Si, or CdTe, other embodiments of the invention utilizePV devices 110 based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid incorporating a dye such as hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 dye). The one ormore bus ribbons 120 are electrically coupled to thePV device 110 and extend beyond thelower glass sheet 130 and upper glass sheet 140 (seeFIG. 2 ), thereby enabling external electrical contact to thePV device 110. The bus ribbon(s) may include, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more highly electrically conductive metals, e.g., aluminum, copper, or a multilayer stack of one or more aluminum layers and one or more copper layers. In various embodiments, conventional alkali alkaline-earth silicate glasses (i.e., soda lime glass) are utilized as one or both of thelower glass sheet 130 and theupper glass sheet 140, as such glasses are less expensive than, e.g., alkali-lead silicate glass, alkaline-earth aluminosilicate glass, and borosilicate glass, any of which might also be utilized. In an example, one or both of thelower glass sheet 130 and theupper glass sheet 140 have a composition that is approximately 71% SiO2, approximately 15% alkali (e.g., primarily Na2O, but may also include K2O), approximately 13-16% alkaline earths (e.g., CaO+MgO), approximately 0-2% Al2O3, and, in some embodiments, BaO. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , agap 150 between theglass sheets glass powder 160 at or near the edge of at least one of theglass sheets glass powder 160 is then melted via application ofthermal energy 170. Theglass powder 160 may be dispensed within the gap 150 (or on at least one of theglass sheets gap 150 prior to one or both of theglass sheets gap 150 between theglass sheets glass powder 160 may have a grain size (or range of grain sizes) optimized to allow fast melting/fusing and to provide a geometrically stable powder track (e.g., width and height) during powder dispense. For example, theglass powder 160 may have a grain size between approximately 0.1 μm and approximately 10 μm, or even between approximately 0.1 μm and 1 μm. In preferred embodiments of the invention, theglass powder 160 does not require any preconditioning after it has been dispensed onto one or both of theglass sheets upper glass sheet 140 may be placed on top immediately after theglass powder 160 is dispensed, and the sealing step is conducted in one operation. - The melted
glass powder 160 fuses into a solid glass seal filling thegap 150 between thesheets sheets glass powder 160 may consist entirely or essentially of glass, in contrast with glass-frit materials that incorporate organic fillers, binders, solvents, and/or melting-point reduction agents such as Pb. The glass powder may include colorants or other absorbers utilized to locally increase the absorption of particular wavelengths of light. However, in preferred embodiments, theglass powder 160 utilized to seal thegap 150 has the same composition as at least one of theglass sheets glass powder 160 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a low-melting glass that fuses withglass sheets glass powder 160 may be, for example, between approximately 200° C. and approximately 550° C., or even between approximately 200° C. and approximately 400° C. In some embodiments, theglass powder 160 includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a zinc-silicoborate glass and/or a binary or ternary mixture of thallium, arsenic and sulfur. - In preferred embodiments of the invention,
pressure 180 is applied to one or both of theglass sheets glass powder 160 is heated. Moreover, various embodiments utilize laser energy as thethermal energy 170 to heat and melt theglass powder 160 during seal formation. The laser utilized to impart thethermal energy 170 may emit substantially red light. Thelaser energy 170 may be applied via one or multiple passes along the edges ofglass sheets glass powder 160 and how best to minimize any thermally induced stress in theglass sheets laser energy 170 is pulsed in order to prevent excess heating of thePV device 110 and/or other parts ofmodule 100 away from the edge region being sealed. - In other embodiments, other techniques for localized heating, e.g., inductive heating or application of a torch or other heat source, are used to partially or substantially completely melt the
glass powder 160. While theglass powder 160 is at least partially melted to form the hermetic edge seal, thePV device 110 within themodule 100 is preferably not exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to damage or degrade the device (via, e.g., interdiffusion, melting, etc.). For example, in various embodiments of the present invention, the localized heating temperature does not exceed 400-500° C. for times of <1 minute, does not exceed 300-400° C. for times of ≦1-3 minutes, and/or does not exceed 200-300° C. for times of ≦3-10 minutes. - As mentioned above, in order to enable electrical contact between the encapsulated
PV device 110 and outside electronics and/or systems, one or moreconductive bus ribbons 120 may be electrically coupled to the sealedPV device 110 and extend out of the sealedmodule 100 through the layer of meltedglass powder 160. An example is shown in the plan view ofFIG. 2 , in whichupper glass sheet 140 is omitted for clarity. ThePV device 110 itself includes or consists essentially of one or more p-n and/or p-i-n junctions (i.e., homojunctions and/or heterojunctions), and may be fabricated from a-Si, CdTe, or a chalcopyrite (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2) such as CIGS or a kesterite (Cu2(Zn,Fe)Sn(S,Se)4) such as CZTS (copper zinc tin sulfide). Other embodiments of the invention utilizePV devices 110 based on crystalline Si (e.g., in wafer or ribbon form) or III-V semiconductors such as GaAs or InP (e.g., in wafer form) or solid-state dye-sensitized perovskite material (organic-inorganic hybrid). The junction(s) ofPV device 110 may be in direct contact with one or both of theglass sheets 130, 140 (if, e.g., theglass sheets PV device 110 may incorporate a substrate layer (e.g., a foil of a metal or another conductor, or of a polymer such as polyimide) below and/or above the PV device junctions and in contact with one or both of theglass sheets - As shown in
FIGS. 3A-3D , theconductive bus ribbon 120 and glass-powder seal 160 may have any of several different configurations. For example, in the configuration depicted inFIG. 3A , theconductive bus ribbon 120 is in contact with both theupper glass sheet 140 and thelower glass sheet 130, and theglass powder 160 seals the remaining portion of thegap 150 between theglass sheets bus ribbon 120. InFIGS. 3B and 3C , thebus ribbon 120 is in contact with only the lower glass sheet 130 (FIG. 3B ) or upper glass sheet 140 (FIG. 3C ), and theglass powder 160 seals the remaining portion of thegap 150 between theglass sheets bus ribbon 120. InFIG. 3D , thebus ribbon 120 extends through the glass-powder seal 160 without contacting either of theglass sheets bus ribbon 120 and theglass sheets FIGS. 3B-3D may result in a metal-glass seal between thebus ribbon 120 and theglass powder 160 upon application of the localizedthermal energy 170. - During the edge-seal formation, the surfaces of the
glass sheets force 180 andlocalized heating 170. Theforce 180 is typically applied to the surface of at least one of theglass sheets glass powder 160 has melted, sealed the edge region, and then cooled to form a solid (or at least semi-solid) phase. After the localized heating and seal formation, any localized stress at the sealed edge region may be at least partially reduced via annealing of the sealed module 100 (or at least the sealed edge region) at a moderate temperature (e.g., at a temperature lower than the melting point and/or the softening point of the glass powder 160). - The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms and expressions of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. In addition, having described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims (19)
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WO2021027406A1 (en) * | 2019-08-13 | 2021-02-18 | 泉州三安半导体科技有限公司 | Light-emitting encapsulation assembly, light-emitting module and display screen |
CN113968681A (en) * | 2020-07-23 | 2022-01-25 | 青岛达城真空玻璃科技发展有限公司 | Toughened photovoltaic vacuum glass structure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2015026575A1 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
US20190165196A1 (en) | 2019-05-30 |
US20160118520A1 (en) | 2016-04-28 |
US20150056736A1 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
US10236402B2 (en) | 2019-03-19 |
US20180175226A1 (en) | 2018-06-21 |
US9929295B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 |
US9257585B2 (en) | 2016-02-09 |
US10727362B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 |
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