Claims
- 1. A photovoltaic panel for converting light into electrical energy having enhanced energy conversion efficiency stability, comprising;
- at least one photovoltaic device, formed from amorphous semiconductor alloys, that exhibits an energy conversion efficiency stability that increases at elevated operating temperatures of the device, said device including a conductive substrate upon which said amorphous semiconductor alloys are formed; and
- an enclosure housing said device for elevating the operating temperature of said photovoltaic device, said enclosure including means for preventing loss of heat from the interior of said enclosure and from said device for continuously maintaining the operating temperature of said device upon exposure to light at a substantially elevated temperature above the ambient temperature external to said enclosure.
- 2. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing loss of heat includes means for maintaining said device at an operating temperature of about twenty (20) to about one hundred fifty (150) degrees Centigrade above said ambient temperature
- 3. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing loss of heat includes a thermal insulating backing beneath said device.
- 4. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 3 further including an encapsulant formed from transparent material for encapsulating said device.
- 5. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 4 wherein said transparent material is a plastic material.
- 6. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 3 wherein said thermal insulating backing is formed from glass wool.
- 7. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 3 wherein said thermal insulating backing is formed from styrofoam.
- 8. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 3 wherein said thermal insulating backing is formed from cork.
- 9. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a bottom wall and sidewalls dimensioned for receiving said device, and wherein said means for preventing loss of heat includes thermal insulating material in contact with the back surface of said device.
- 10. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said enclosure further includes a transparent cover overlying said device between said sidewalls for forming a still air space adjacent said device.
- 11. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 10 wherein said transparent cover is formed from glass.
- 12. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said thermal insulating material is formed from glass wool.
- 13. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said thermal insulating material is formed from styrofoam.
- 14. A photovoltaic panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said thermal insulating material is formed from cork.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 450,920 filed Dec. 20, 1982, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2832475 |
Feb 1980 |
DEX |
2950274 |
Jun 1981 |
DEX |
56-69874 |
Jun 1981 |
JPX |
57-1263 |
Jan 1982 |
JPX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
H. S. Vilal et al., "Temperature Effects & Degradation Mechanisms of P-I-N Thin Film Si:H Solar Cells", Conf. Record, 17th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf., (1984), pp. 359-363. |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
450920 |
Dec 1982 |
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