Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell (SZ) of improved light-to-current conversion properties is provided with nano emitters (NE) of acicular or rib-like form and are separated from each other at a uniform distance D??{square root over (2)}L and penetrating to a penetration depth T ? d HL - L 2 + w into the semiconductor layer (HL).

Abstract: A junction box adapted to protect soldered electrical connections between outputs and cables wherein the connections are on a flat surface (e.g. the backing sheet of a solar module) and a method for installing the box over the connections. The junction box can have a split housing that can be spread to fit over the cables before filling the housing with a sealant which, in turn, covers and protects the connections. A separate cover is then latched onto the housing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, sufficient light trapping effect can be exhibited and series resistance can be kept small, by sequentially forming a silicon based low refractive index layer and a thin silicon based interface layer on a backside of a photoelectric conversion layer observed from a light incident side, and as a result a silicon based thin film solar cell may be provided efficiently and at low cost.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of obtaining an absorber layer for a solar cell, That method includes depositing a preparatory material comprising a melt of at least one Group IIIA material on a base to form a precursor layer, and reacting the precursor layer with at least one Group VIA material to form a dense Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer. The method described above can further include forming the preparatory material, the preparatory material comprising the melt of at least one Group IIIA material and a solid phase in the form of particles, such that the solid phase in the form of particles is included within the melt during the step of depositing. Various techniques for applying the preparatory material to the base as a melt are also described.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a solar battery includes at least an aluminum electrode formation step of applying, drying and baking aluminum paste on at least a portion of the back side of a solar cell to form an aluminum electrode, and a cooling step of cooling the solar cell having an aluminum electrode formed at an atmosphere temperature of not more than 10° C., after the aluminum electrode formation step. Accordingly, a solar battery having warping reduced without degrading the electric characteristics, reliability and appearance, and a fabrication method thereof are provided.

Abstract: To provide an easy-to-manufacture, high-quality photovoltaic conversion device and an optical power generator and also to provide a manufacturing method with high production efficiency.

Abstract: A solar cell and photovoltaic power generation apparatus including a transparent electrically conductive film, a semiconductor provided on the transparent electrically conductive film, a conductive film opposing the semiconductor, and an electrolyte solution filled between the semiconductor and the conductive film. Metal ions, such as silver ions, may be dissolved in the electrolyte solution. When light is incident on the cell, the metal ions cause an oxidation-reduction reaction in the electrolyte solution and the cell is charged. When the open-circuit voltage decreases because the amount of incident light drops or light is blocked, the cell discharges to function as a secondary cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid state dye-sensitized solar cell employing a composite polymer electrolyte, which includes a photoelectrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the photoelectrode and counter electrode. The electrolyte includes at least one of a middle molecular substance, a polymer mixture, and inorganic nanoparticles, and a redox derivative. The dye-sensitized solar cell reduces crystallinity of the polymer electrolyte to significantly increase ionic conductivity, and enables the polymer electrolyte to smoothly permeate into a titanium oxide layer to improve mechanical properties, thereby significantly increasing energy conversion efficiency. Accordingly, the dye-sensitized solar cell assures high energy conversion efficiency without an electrolyte leak, and thus, it can be stably and practically used for a long time.

Abstract: A modular shade system comprises a support structure supporting modular panels. The support structure defines a first area having a length and a width. The modular panels have upper, exposed surfaces and lower surfaces and are mounted to and supported by the support structure. The modular panels cover at least about 80% of the first area. The modular panels comprise PV panels and supplemental panels, the supplemental panels providing a feature other than shading and optionally providing shading. Protective panels may be mounted opposite the lower surfaces of the PV modules. A protective panel may so be used when the PV module is part of an installation other than a modular shade structure.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell includes a first photoactive subcell layer having a first-subcell lattice parameter and a composition including (a) at least one Group III element, at least one Group V element other than (nitrogen, phosphorus), and (nitrogen, phosphorus), or (b) a material selected from the group including GaInAsBi, GaInAsSb, GaInAsP, ZnGeAs2, or BGaInAs. The multijunction solar cell also has a substrate having a substrate lattice parameter different from the first-subcell lattice parameter, and a composition-graded buffer layer between the first photoactive subcell layer and the substrate and having a buffer-layer lattice parameter graded between the first-subcell lattice parameter and the substrate lattice parameter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, harmful solar cell polarization is prevented or minimized by providing a conductive path that bleeds charge from a front side of a solar cell to the bulk of a wafer. The conductive path may include patterned holes in a dielectric passivation layer, a conductive anti-reflective coating, or layers of conductive material formed on the top or bottom surface of an anti-reflective coating, for example. Harmful solar cell polarization may also be prevented by biasing a region of a solar cell module on the front side of the solar cell.

Abstract: A system for the production of electrical energy, comprising: a combustion chamber (14) made of material that is able to withstand high temperatures, an injection device (16) connected to said combustion chamber (14) by means of an injection conduit (15), means (17) for supplying combustion support substance into the combustion chamber (14) and means (18) for the removal of gaseous combustion products, means (26) for the selective emission of radiation onto the outer surface of the combustion chamber (14). The combustion chamber (14) is enclosed in a conversion chamber (20) within which are maintained sub-atmospheric pressure conditions, so that a substantial part of the heat developed by the combustion reaction is converted into electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus may comprise two or more energy transfer layers and an acceptor layer. The energy transfer layers are configured such that excitons formed by absorption of radiation in one energy transfer layer transfer to an adjacent energy transfer layer that is closer to the acceptor layer by a dipole mechanism without the exciton diffusing to an interface between the two energy transfer layers. This can be achieved by appropriately configuring the HOMO and LUMO (or conduction and valence band) levels of the energy transfer layers and the acceptor layer.

Abstract: A system and method for lower cost, solar thermal generation includes a thermal input block, and an energy storage block.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module is provided that includes a first thermally conductive plate with a first array of thermoelectric elements coupled to it. The first array of thermoelectric elements includes a first plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric module also includes a second thermally conductive plate coupled to the first array of thermoelectric elements, and a second array of thermoelectric elements coupled to the second plate. The second array of thermoelectric elements includes a second plurality of thermoelectric elements. A third thermally conductive plate is coupled to the second array of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric module also includes a portion of each thermoelectric element of the first and second pluralities of thermoelectric elements being coplanar with at least a portion of every other thermoelectric element of the first and second pluralities of thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A solar power generation system having a solar cell provided therein and which is provided with a cooling mechanism, characterized in that the cooling mechanism has a cooling system for cooling the solar cell and a memory and operation system for memorizing or operating an optimum cooling and driving state of the cooling system with respect to an output of the solar cell. The cooling system is driven based on an output of the memory and operation system.

Abstract: A chalcopyrite solar cell having a mica substrate or a laminated mica substrate, an intermediate layer made of a ceramic-based material formed on the mica substrate, and a binder layer formed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a thickness equal to or more than 2 ?m and equal to or less than 20 ?m. The binder layer has a thickness equal to or more than 3000 ? and equal to or less than 8000 ?. The intermediate layer and the binder layer are interposed between the mica substrate and a molybdenum electrode.

Abstract: An electrical junction and joint box for a solar cell module having solar cells and an associated method. The junction and joint box and solar cell module are connected by conductor strips. The junction and joint box includes a housing having electrical and/or electronic means and a connection device located in the housing. The connection device is arranged to directly, without manual alteration, receive thin conductor strips routed out of the solar cell module from underneath when the junction and joint box is seated on the solar cell module. In this way reliable and efficient connection of the individual solar cells of the solar cell module can be easily achieved, and faulty contact-making can be avoided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indium-doped Co4Sb12 skutterudite composition in which some Co on the cubic lattice structure may be replaced with one or more members of the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt; some Sb on the planar rings may be replaced by one or more members of the group consisting of Si, Ga, Ge and Sn; and a second dopant atom is selected from a member of the group consisting of Ca, Sc, Zn, Sr, Y, Pd, Ag, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. The composition is useful as a thermoelectric material. In preferred embodiments, the composition has a figure of merit greater than 1.0. The present invention also provides a process for the production of the composition, and thermoelectric devices using the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flexible, solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.