Abstract: The present invention relates to new electronic devices including a layer comprising a photoactive material and metal Schiff base complex, wherein the metal Schiff base complex is present as a host for the photoactive material or in a layer between the cathode and the photoactive material containing layer, or both.

Abstract: A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes receiving a sheet of glass, wherein the sheet of glass includes light concentrating geometric features, applying a light source to the light concentrating geometric features, determining physical concentration characteristics for each of the light concentrating geometric features in response to the light source that is applied, associating the physical concentration characteristics for each light concentrating geometric features with an identifier associated with the sheet of glass in a computer memory, determining placements for a plurality of PV strips relative to the sheet of glass in response to the physical concentration characteristics for each light concentrating geometric features stored in the computer memory, and securing the plurality of PV strips relative to the sheet of glass in response to the placements for the plurality of PV strips relative to the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A supported PV assembly may include a PV module comprising a PV panel and PV module supports including module supports having a support surface supporting the module, a module registration member engaging the PV module to properly position the PV module on the module support, and a mounting element. In some embodiments the PV module registration members engage only the external surfaces of the PV modules at the corners. In some embodiments the assembly includes a wind deflector with ballast secured to a least one of the PV module supports and the wind deflector. An array of the assemblies can be secured to one another at their corners to prevent horizontal separation of the adjacent corners while permitting the PV modules to flex relative to one another so to permit the array of PV modules to follow a contour of the support surface.

Abstract: T provide an N type thermoelectric material having figure of the merit improved to be comparable to or higher than that of P type thermoelectric material, the N type thermoelectric material of the present invention contains at least one kind of Bi and Sb and at least one kind of Te and Se as main components, and contains bromine (Br) and iodine (I) to have carrier in such a concentration that corresponds to the contents of bromine (Br) and iodine (I).

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector and sensor use enhanced fields to emit electrons for energy collection. The collector and sensor collect energy from visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The collector and sensor include a waveguide with a geometry selected to enhance the electric field along a conductor to create a high, localized electric field, which causes electron emission across a gap to a return plane.

Abstract: A solar cell panel is discussed. The solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell including a substrate and a second electrode positioned on a second surface of the substrate that is opposite a first surface of the substrate; a first conductive adhesive film including a first resin and a plurality of first conductive particles dispersed in the first resin, the first conductive adhesive film being positioned on a second surface of the second electrode that is opposite a first surface of the second electrode that contacts the substrate, and a first surface of the first conductive adhesive film that faces the second electrode entirely contacting at least one of the second surface of the second electrode and the second surface of the substrate; and an interconnector positioned on a second surface of the first conductive adhesive film that is opposite the first surface of the first conductive adhesive film.

Abstract: A solar generator apparatus includes a generator module having first to fourth corner portions; a middle column; first and second winding devices attached to the middle column; first and second cables and first to fourth elastic anchors. The middle column has first and second ends, mounted on a fixed structure and pivotally connected to the generator module, respectively. The first cable, having two ends respectively connected to the first and third corner portions, is wound around the first winding device. The second cable, having two ends respectively connected to two ends of the second and fourth corner portions, is wound around the second winding device. The first to fourth elastic anchors are elastically mounted on the fixed structure. The first cable passes through the first and third elastic anchors to form a W-shaped structure. The second cable passes through the second and fourth elastic anchors to form another W-shaped structure.

Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices, and more specifically, improved building integrated photovoltaic devices are described herein. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic roofing structure may be comprised of a roofing tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recessed portion; a photovoltaic module sized to fit within the recessed portion of the roofing structure.

Abstract: A solar generator panel comprising a plane array of strings of photovoltaic cells disposed side by side. According to the invention, the cells have cropped corners suitable for generating free spaces in the interstices between the cropped corners. It is then possible to place openings in those spaces for passing cables and/or for receiving damper blocks. The invention is particularly applicable to solar panels for satellites.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided for assembling and utilizing parabolic reflectors in a solar concentrator. Parabolic reflectors assembly starts with a low-cost, flat reflective material that is bent into a parabolic or trough shape via a set of support ribs that are affixed in a support beam. The parabolic reflectors are mounted on a support frame in various panels or arrays to form a parabolic solar concentrator. Each parabolic reflector focuses light in a line segment pattern. Light beam pattern focused onto a receiver via the parabolic solar concentrator can be optimized. The receiver is attached to the support frame, opposite the parabolic reflector arrays, and includes a photovoltaic (PV) module and a heat harvesting element that enable dual-mode energy conversion operation. To increase performance of the parabolic solar concentrator, the PV module can be configured to advantageously exploit a light beam pattern optimization regardless irregularities in the pattern.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a first isolation groove for separating the first electrode layer; a second isolation groove for separating each of the first semiconductor layer, the transparent conductive layer, and the second semiconductor layer; and a third isolation groove formed in a position opposite from the first isolation groove across the second isolation groove and for separating each of the second electrode layer, the second semiconductor layer, the transparent conductive layer, and the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode layer includes: a first conductive layer formed on the first semiconductor layer constituting a bottom surface of the second isolation groove, on an inner wall of the second isolation groove, and on the second semiconductor layer; and a second conductive layer formed on the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator has a hot side heat exchanger having a silicon carbide (SiC) honeycomb support with a plurality of passages. The passage walls are coated with a pyrophoric solid fuel such as red oxide (Fe2O3) in combination with a silicon (Si) binder. A quantum well thermoelectric device is positioned between the hot side heat exchanger and heat sink. The performance of the thermoelectric generator is comparable to fuel cells. The thermoelectric generator is small and portable.

Abstract: A solar cell having an open loop voltage that approaches a critical voltage range when exposed to light. A circuit, connected to the solar cell, is configured to load the solar cell when the open loop voltage of the solar cell reaches a threshold within a predetermined range of the critical voltage range.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method of fabricating solar cells. The method includes a step of separating neighbor solar cells formed on a semiconductor wafer by scribing the wafer to form scribe lines on the wafer and applying a force at, or adjacent to, the scribed lines to separate the solar cells. The scribing is effected on a cap layer covering a window layer of solar cells, thereby minimizing damage to the window layer and mitigating propagation of defects into p-n junctions formed in the solar cells.

Abstract: An AMTEC power system including a housing that defines a cold chamber and a hot chamber, at least one AMTEC cell received in the housing, the AMTEC cell having a first portion extending into the hot chamber and a second portion extending into the cold chamber, and a thermally conductive material positioned adjacent to the first portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to photovoltaic cells configured with two or more nanowire-based, light-absorption layers, each layer capable of absorbing a different portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic cell comprises a substrate configured with a first planar surface, a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface, and an opening. The photovoltaic cell includes a first photovoltaic cell disposed on the first planar surface and having a first set of nanowires extending over the opening. The photovoltaic cell includes a second photovoltaic cell disposed on the second planar surface and having a second set of nanowires extending over the opening opposite the first set of nanowires.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photovoltaic cell and its preparation method. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell as provided by the present invention is of layered structure, and the structure from top to bottom is: a top plate insulated and sealed layer, a conductive layer, a nano semiconductor layer, chromophoric molecular layer, an electrolyte polymer layer, a conductive catalyst layer, a conductive layer, a bottom plate insulated and sealed layer. The nano semiconductor layer is made of three metal oxide or metal sulfide, and the electrolyte polymer layer is made of CeCl3, gas SiO2 and LiI. The present invention also provides the preparation method of the nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell mentioned in the present invention has higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency, lower cost, and can be applied in construction, family, community, factories and mines and electric net power supply.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system, wherein electrical power generated by multiple photovoltaic power generator units is gathered in a single unit group power collection control section and, in addition, supplied (transferred) to a single power converter corresponding to a single unit group power collection control section. The photovoltaic power generation system comprises generator unit groups formed by arrangement of multiple photovoltaic power generator units and unit group power collection control sections, which are connected with the photovoltaic power generator units through unit cables, and collect and control the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generator units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for supporting a solar panel array includes the use of support columns and cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar panel receivers that are adapted to couple to the cables. The solar panel array may then be used to provide power as well as shelter. Cooling, lighting, security, or other devices may be added to the solar panel array.