Abstract: An elongate photovoltaic (PV) module for use in a solar energy conversion plant for the production of electricity from incident light, the PV-module comprising a top portion with a support panel (G) carrying on a front side a plurality of electrically connected PV cells (D), and a transparent protective layer (A) sealed to the support panel (G) so as to encapsulate the PV-cells (D) between the support panel (G) and the protective layer (A), wherein prior to installation of the PV-module at the deployment site a collapsible portion of the PV-module is configured to be collapsible in a longitudinal direction by folding and/or rolling, wherein the collapsible portion includes at least the top portion, wherein the PV-module further comprises one or more integrated ballast chambers (I) in a bottom portion of the PV-module arranged on a rear side of the support panel (G), wherein said integrated ballast chamber (I) after installation of the PV-module at the deployment site contains an amount of a ballasting materia

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation method using a thermoelectric generator includes: placing a thermoelectric generator in a temperature-changing atmosphere; drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between first and second support members when the temperature of the second support member is higher than that of the first support member, and that flows from a second thermoelectric conversion member to a first thermoelectric conversion member, using first and second output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively; and drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between the first and second support members when the temperature of the first support member is higher than that of the second support member, and that flows from a fourth thermoelectric conversion member to a third thermoelectric conversion member, using third and fourth output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively.

Abstract: A solar cell of the invention includes a collecting electrode on a first principal surface of a photoelectric conversion section. The collecting electrode includes a first electroconductive layer and a second electroconductive layer in this order from the photoelectric conversion section. On the first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section, an insulating layer is provided in a first electroconductive layer-non-formed region where the first electroconductive layer is not formed. The insulating layer includes a first insulating layer is in contact with the first electroconductive layer on the first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section, and a second insulating layer that is formed so as to cover at least a part of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: Material and antireflection structure designs and methods of manufacturing are provided that produce efficient photovoltaic power conversion from single- and multi-junction devices. Materials of different energy gap are combined in the depletion region of at least one of the semiconductor junctions. Higher energy gap layers are positioned to reduce the diode dark current and enhance the operating voltage by suppressing both carrier injections across the junction and recombination rates within the junction. Step-graded antireflection structures are placed above the active region of the device in order to increase the photocurrent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a guide system for holding and moving sunlight-absorbing devices, in particular, solar panels or concentrated photovoltaic modules, about an azimuth axis and an elevation axis, comprising a housing, at least one azimuth drive, at least one azimuth gear unit, the azimuth drive being configured for driving the azimuth gear unit for a rotational movement about the azimuth axis, at least one elevation drive, at least one elevation gear unit, the elevation drive being configured for driving the elevation gear unit for a rotational movement about the elevation axis, and wherein the elevation gear unit is connected to a first end of a torsion tube, and the torsion tube is turnably mounted inside the housing along the elevation axis, wherein the torsion tube is supported by at least two bearings, preferably one at each end of the torsion tube, and wherein the second end of the torsion tube is configured to receive and connect to a support arm for carrying/supporting one or more of the sunlig

Abstract: This solar cell module (10) is manufactured by connecting in series with a wiring material (15) multiple solar cells including at least two types of solar cells (11A, 11B) having different electrode structures, and covering the same with a first protective member (12) and a second protective member (13). This solar cell is manufactured by producing a photoelectric conversion unit, measuring characteristic values of the photoelectric conversion unit, selecting electrode structure on the basis of said characteristic values, and forming an electrode on the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: An electrical connection system comprising a plurality of electrical components electrically interconnected by a plurality of multi-terminal electrical connector devices. Each electrical component has first and second electrical terminals, each connector device having a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in first and second rows each row comprising a plurality of said terminals. One row is positioned along one side of the connector, the other row being positioned along the other side of the connector. First and second of the connector terminals are electrically connected to a respective one of the first and second terminals of a respective one of the electrical components. Each connector device is configurable such that its terminals may adopt a selected one of a plurality of terminal configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a venting device (1) for an electrochemical battery (90). The venting device comprises at least one inlet opening (2) for receiving gases venting from the battery (90), at least one outlet opening (3) for venting the gases received from the battery (90), and at least one flame arrester element (4). The inlet opening (2) is in communication with the outlet opening (3) via the flame arrester element (4). An explosion chamber (5, 6) is located within the venting device (1) on the side of the flame arrester element (4) which is directed to the outlet opening (3). The explosion chamber (5, 6) is arranged for developing and temporarily storing an explosive mixture of the gases received from the battery (90) and oxygen from the ambient air, which explodes in case a flame occurs within the explosion chamber (5, 6), thereby blowing off the flame.

Abstract: A solar cell has a collecting electrode formed therein. The collecting electrode is provided with: a main conductive layer that contains copper; and an overcoat layer that covers at least a part of the main conductive layer.

Abstract: A heater includes a heater housing with a fuel cell stack assembly disposed therein. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel within a fuel inlet and the oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent inlet and distributing the fuel and oxidizing agent to the fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel inlet and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing agent inlet. A sonic orifice is disposed between the fuel supply conduit and the fuel inlet or between the oxidizing agent supply conduit and the oxidizing agent inlet, thereby limiting the velocity of the fuel or the oxidizing agent through the sonic orifice.

Abstract: A circuit board with a heat-recovery function includes a substrate, a heat-storing device, and a thermoelectric device. The heat-storing device is embedded in the substrate and connected to a processor for performing heat exchange with the processor. The thermoelectric device embedded in the substrate includes a first metal-junction surface and a second metal-junction surface. The first metal-junction surface is connected to the heat-storing device for performing heat exchange with the heat-storing device. The second metal-junction surface is joined with the first metal-junction surface, in which the thermoelectric device generates an electric potential by a temperature difference between the first metal-junction surface and the second metal-junction surface.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a substrate of a first conductive type; an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, and positioned on the substrate; a plurality of finger electrodes formed in a first direction, each finger electrode being electrically connected to the emitter layer; a plurality of first collector regions; a plurality of first electrodes positioned in a plurality of first collector regions and extending in the first direction from the plurality of finger electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes positioned in the plurality of first collector regions and formed in a perpendicular direction crossing the first direction; a plurality of third electrodes positioned in the plurality of first collector regions, connecting two neighboring first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes and formed in the perpendicular direction; and a plurality of deletions positioned in the plurality of first collector regions.

Abstract: A clamping system for securing the corners of four photovoltaic modules to a carport purlin, the clamping system having upper and lower body portions with a size adjustable gap to receive the purlin therein, and a pair of rotating connectors at opposite ends of the clamp assembly, each rotating connector having arms extending from opposite sides, the arms being rotated to lock into side grooves in the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material including a thermoelectric matrix; and nano-inclusions in the thermoelectric matrix, the nano-inclusions having an average particle diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers.

Abstract: A solar powered satellite system is provided. A power control system, for example, of the solar powered satellite system may include, but is not limited to, a first interface configured to receive a power signal from the satellite receiver, a voltage converter electrically coupled to the first interface, the voltage converter configured to reduce a voltage of the power signal received from the satellite receiver to a predetermined voltage, a second interface configured to receive a power signal from the solar panel assembly, a third interface configured to be coupled to at least one power consumer of a satellite dish, and a source selection circuit electrically coupled to the voltage converter, the solar panel assembly and the third interface, the source selection circuit configured to output a selected power signal based upon a comparison between the predetermined voltage and a voltage of the power signal from the solar panel assembly.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device in photoelectric conversion in a light-absorption region in a crystalline silicon substrate is efficiently performed is provided. In the photoelectric conversion device, a light-transmitting conductive film which has a high effect of passivation of defects on a silicon surface and improves the reflectance on a back electrode side is provided between the back electrode and the crystalline silicon substrate, The light-transmitting conductive film includes an organic compound and an inorganic compound. The organic compound includes 4-phenyl-4?-(9-phenylfluoren-9-yl)triphenylamine. The inorganic compound includes an oxide of a metal belonging to any of Groups 4 to 8 of the periodic table.

Abstract: The invention provides a solar cell and a method for manufacturing same. The solar cell contains a carbon structure layer; a microstructure formed on the carbon structure layer; and a charge separation layer which includes a charge separation junction part and which is formed on the surface of the microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar module comprising a first layer, a solar cell arranged above the first layer and a second layer arranged above the solar cell. The first and/or the second layer comprise a fiber composite material which comprises a preferably aliphatic polyurethane polymer “dual cure” system) crosslinked thermally and by means of electromagnetic radiation. The material of the fibers of the fiber composite material is transparent at least in the region of visible light. The invention further relates to the use of this type of solar module and to a process for production thereof.

Abstract: A compact photovoltaic generation assembly exhibiting improved photovoltaic efficiency and an extended operating life as compared to conventional photovoltaic systems is described. The assembly can also include a power supply for use at times when light energy is not readily available.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent conductive film which is low in terms of surface resistivity and high in terms of transparency. The transparent conductive film according to the present invention includes an adhesive conductive layer in openings of a conductive metal mesh layer provided on at least one surface of a transparent base material, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a conductive adhesive composition containing (A) a water-soluble vinyl polymer, (B) an organic additive, and (C) a conductive organic polymer compound, the organic additive (B) is at least one member selected among water-soluble polyhydric alcohols, water-soluble pyrrolidones, and hydrophilic aprotic solvents, and the conductive organic polymer compound (C) is at least one member selected among polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes, and derivatives thereof.