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Abstract

A novel structure of a silicon solar cell is disclosed, which can be prepared at an outstandingly low cost but can still exhibit good efficiency for the conversion of solar energy to electricity. The silicon solar cell comprises, as an integral body: (a) an electrically insulating substrate plate of, e.g., glass or a ceramic; (b1) a first group of metal contact lines formed in parallel with each other on the substrate surface to jointly serve as an electrode; (b2) a second group of metal contact lines formed in parallel with each other on the substrate surface to jointly serve as a counterelectrode, each of the metal contact lines of the second group being disposed between two metal contact lines of the first group, maintaining electric insulation therebetween; and (c) a plural number of wires of silicon semiconductor, each of which perpendicularly crosses each of the metal contact lines of the first and second groups in direct contact therewith. When the silicon semiconductor is of the n-type, for example, and has discrete p-type regions which are in contact with the metal contact lines of one of the groups, photovoltaic power is generated between the electrodes under irradiation with sunlight. An alternative arrangement of the silicon semiconductor wires is also proposed in which each of the silicon wires bridges a metal contact line of the first group and a metal contact line of the second group in lengthwise contact therewith.

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First Claim