Abstract: A dual axis solar array tracker for supporting a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements at a plurality of solar collector nodes. Two perpendicular axes of movement, specifically a rotation axis at a rotatable transverse beam and a tilt axis relative to the axis of the transverse beam, enable accurate orientation in a stable configuration. The dual axis design of the solar tracker enables the movement of solar collectors such that they can be directed towards the sun wherein incoming solar rays are perpendicular to the solar cell element of the solar collector to optimize collection of solar radiation. The present solar tracker array also enables integrated solar, electrical and/or thermal energy cogeneration.

Abstract: Organic photovoltaic devices with compound charge transport layers are described herein. One such device includes a substrate, a first electrode coupled to the substrate, a second electrode disposed above the first electrode, and photoactive layers disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device further includes a compound charge transport layer disposed between the photoactive layers and either the first electrode or the second electrode. The compound charge transport layer includes a charge transport layer and a metal-oxide interlayer disposed between the charge transport layer and the photoactive layers. The charge transport layer may be a hole transport layer or an electron transport layer.

Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.

Abstract: A power converter box and at least one junction box are integrated on a backplane of the photovoltaic module as a whole, and there is a cable for connecting the power converter and the junction box. In this case, relative to the conventional technology in which a junction box is independent of a power converter, a length of a cable used when the junction box and the power converter box are taken as a whole is shorter than a length of a cable used in the conventional technology. In this case, compared with the conventional technology in which a cable is connected to an independently placed power converter, the power converter only needs to establish a connection relationship by using a solder ribbon, a circuit board cable, and the like with low costs, so that production costs are low.

Abstract: A solar energy roof tile, thermally and/or electrically conductively connected to an adjacent solar energy roof tile, includes a lower face for placing on at least some regions of a roof construction, an upper face opposite the lower face formed at least in some regions by a solar energy utilisation module, two opposite lateral walls, a rear face connecting the lateral walls, and a front face opposite the rear face that connects the lateral walls. The two lateral walls, the rear face and front face together connect the lower and upper faces, such that a cavity is formed between the two lateral walls, the rear face, front face, and lower and upper faces. The lower face has, in the region of the front face, a lower opening for providing access. The upper face has, in the region of the rear face, an upper opening for providing access into the cavity.

Abstract: This application provides a solar cell, a method for preparing the solar cell, smart glasses, and an electronic device. The solar cell includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first conductive lattice, a second conductive layer, and a functional layer. The functional layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the functional layer is configured to absorb light and generate a photocurrent, and both the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are configured to receive the photocurrent. The first conductive lattice is in contact with a surface that is of the first conductive layer. The second conductive lattice is in contact with the second conductive layer, and the first conductive lattice and the second conductive lattice are configured to output the photocurrent to the target device. This application can mitigate impact of a sheet resistance on cell efficiency.

Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.

Abstract: An extension panel may include a mating surface shaped to interface with a back surface of a clamp that includes a mounting hole corresponding to a bolt slot in the back surface of the clamp to accommodate a single bolt passing through the extension panel and the clamp. The extension panel may also include a pair of flanges projecting outward from the mating surface and positioned to be on either side of the clamp. The extension panel may also include a flat top surface generally parallel and aligned linearly with another flat top surface of a flexible member. The extension flat top surface may be sized to be approximately a same width as the flexible member at a first end of the extension flat top surface proximate the mating surface and may flare out as the extension flat top surface extends away from the flexible member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight photovoltaic module (1) comprising: a transparent first layer (2) forming the front face, photovoltaic cells (4), an assembly (3) encapsulating the photovoltaic cells (4), and a second layer (5), the encapsulating assembly (3) and the photovoltaic cells (4) being arranged between the first (2) and the second (5) layer. The invention is characterised in that the first layer (2) comprises a polymer material and has a thickness (e2) of less than 50 ?m, in that the second layer (5) comprises at least one composite material of the prepreg type containing polymer resin and fibres and has a areal weight of less than 150 g/m2, and in that the encapsulating assembly (3) has a maximum thickness (e3) of less than 150 ?m.

Abstract: There is provided a solar power generator having a variable shape which can secure a maximum solar power generation area by being unfolded horizontally and upward in the case of performing solar power generation and can be transformed to have a minimum volume by being transformed into a box shape in the case of not performing solar power generation. The solar power generator includes a base frame, four solar panel members for forming a box which are respectively coupled to four sides of the base frame, a rotation drive source for rotating each of the four solar panel members, a tube member, a lower surface of which is fixed to a center portion of an upper surface of the base frame, an air injection and discharge part, a top plate for the tube member, and a plurality of solar panel assemblies for tube member sidewalls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-electrochemical device for production of a gas, liquid or solid using concentrated electromagnetic irradiation. The device comprises a photovoltaic component configured to generate charge carriers from the concentrated electromagnetic irradiation; and an electrochemical component configured to carry out electrolysis of a reactant. The photovoltaic component contacts the electrochemical component at a solid interface to form an integrated photo-electrochemical device; and further includes at least one reactant channel or a plurality of reactant channels extending between the photovoltaic component and the electrochemical component to transfer heat and the reactant from the photovoltaic component to the electrochemical component. The integrated photo-electrochemical device and auxiliary devices (such as concentrator, flow controllers) build a system which can flexibly react to changes in operating condition and guarantee best performance.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a p-type semiconductor absorber layer. A photovoltaic device may include a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a CdSeTe layer over a substrate. The process includes forming a p-type cadmium selenide telluride absorber layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a close-contacting module capable of bringing a solar photovoltaic panel and a thermal collector of a solar photovoltaic-thermal panel into close contact without creating an interface. The close-contacting module comprises: a plurality of elastic members (36) which provide an elastic force that presses the thermal collector (20) toward the solar photovoltaic panel (10) from the backside of the thermal collector (20); a support member (35) for supporting the elastic members (36); and a pair of clips (31, 32, 33) provided at both ends of the support member (35) to fix the support member (35) to the edges of the solar photovoltaic-thermal panel (1).

Abstract: A frame for supporting a photovoltaic module (PV) includes a plurality of sidewalls, which are arranged to support the PV module at a spaced distance from an installation surface. The sidewalls define an interior volume having an open top and open bottom. One sidewall has a plurality of openings defined therethrough along a portion of a length thereof. A plenum is disposed adjacent to an exterior surface of the first sidewall and extends along at least the portion of the length of the first sidewall having the plurality of openings defined therethrough. The plenum has an inlet port for receiving a flow of warmed air from a source of warmed air, and is configured to distribute the flow of warmed air through at least some of the plurality of openings in the first sidewall and into the interior volume.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion material includes: a base material that is a semiconductor composed of a base material element; a first additional element that is an element different from the base material element, has a vacant orbital in a d orbital or f orbital located internal to an outermost shell of the first additional element and forms a first additional level in a forbidden band of the base material; and a second additional element that is an element different from both of the base material element and the first additional element and forms a second additional level in the forbidden band of the base material. A difference is 1 between the number of electrons in an outermost shell of the second additional element and the number of electrons in at least one outermost shell of the base material element.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photoelectric conversion device, and a sensor and an electronic device including the same. The photoelectric conversion device may include a first electrode and a second electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a first material and a second material, which form a pn junction, and a third material that is different from the first material and the second material. The third material is configured to modify a distribution of energy levels of the first material or the second material.

Abstract: A compound of Chemical Formula 1, and an organic photoelectric device, an image sensor, and an electronic device including the same are disclosed: In Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

Abstract: A solar electrical generator comprising an outer wall (1, 2) arranged to partially surround a cavity. A hub (3) is provided within the cavity wherein the outer face (4) of the wall is provided with solar cells (5). At least one of the hub (3) and the inner face (6) of the wall are provided with solar cells (5).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for characterizing a biomolecule parameter by a nanopore-containing membrane, and also methods for making devices that can be used in the methods and devices provided herein. The nanopore membrane is a multilayer stack of conducting layers and dielectric layers, wherein an embedded conducting layer or conducting layer gates provides well-controlled and measurable electric fields in and around the nanopore through which the biomolecule translocates. In an aspect, the conducting layer is graphene.