Abstract: A system or device for concentrating the light radiation of the type to be used for converting the solar radiation into electric current and/or thermal energy is disclosed. The device mainly having a primary optics apt to be exposed to the solar radiation and to allow the passage thereof therethrough, the primary optics being positioned on a hollow spacer member, which is perfectly aligned and at the same time locked, by means of a joint member.

Abstract: A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell comprising providing first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on said substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over said first subcell having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; and forming a grading interlayer over said second sub cell having a third band gap larger than said second band gap forming a third solar subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than said second band gap such that said third subcell is lattice mis-matched with respect to said second subcell.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material having a plurality of nanoparticle inclusions. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the nanocomposite thermoelectric material, the material composition including a conductive bulk material and a nanoparticle material. In addition, a range of surface roughness values for the insulating nanoparticle material that can be obtained using current state of the art manufacturing techniques is determined. Thereafter, a plurality of Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivity values, thermal conductivity values and figure of merit values as a function of the range of nanoparticle material surface roughness values is calculated. Based on these calculated values, a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition or ranges of compositions is/are selected and manufactured.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a bifacial photovoltaic module having an edge reflector. The module includes a plurality of solar cells in an array, each solar cell having a front side and a back side. A reflector is configured on an edge of the array of solar cells, the first reflector being configured to reflect light onto the front side of a row of solar cells adjacent to the edge. Another embodiment relates to a method of reducing non-uniformity of power generation from a bifacial photovoltaic module. Electrical current produced from solar cells along at least one edge of the array is increased by using a reflective strip facing towards the front side of the solar cells along the edge. Another embodiment relates to a bifacial photovoltaic module having an edge refractor. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes: a wavelength converting region that absorbs ambient light to generate electrons and holes, and recombines the generated electrons and holes to generate monochromatic light; and a photoelectric conversion region that has a p-n junction or p-i-n junction, absorbs the monochromatic light generated in the wavelength converting region to generate electrons and holes, and separates and moves the electrons and holes generated by absorption of the monochromatic light. The wavelength converting region includes: a carrier generating region that generates the electrons and holes; a light emitting region that generates the monochromatic light; and a carrier selective transfer region that is disposed between the carrier generating region and the light emitting region and that, of the electrons and holes generated in the carrier generating region, moves those electrons and holes having specific energies difference there between to the light emitting region.

Abstract: A cooling and thermoelectric power generating system for a vehicle may include a low temperature radiator disposed at an ambient air intake which is configured to allow ambient air in front of the vehicle to be introduced to an engine room, a coolant line adapted that coolant passing through the low temperature radiator is circulated again through the low temperature radiator via a water-cooled condenser, a refrigerant line adapted that refrigerant is flowed through the condenser, and a thermoelectric generator adapted that coolant flowing through the coolant line and refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant line are passed therethrough, in which the thermoelectric generator performs thermoelectric generation by using temperature difference between coolant flowing through the coolant line and refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant line.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material having a plurality of nanoparticle inclusions. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the nanocomposite thermoelectric material, the material composition including a conductive bulk material and a nanoparticle material. In addition, a range of surface roughness values for the insulating nanoparticle material that can be obtained using current state of the art manufacturing techniques is determined. Thereafter, a plurality of Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivity values, thermal conductivity values and figure of merit values as a function of the range of nanoparticle material surface roughness values is calculated. Based on these calculated values, a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition or ranges of compositions is/are selected and manufactured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective backing sheet for photovoltaic modules. The backing sheet has a layer including fluoropolymer which is cured on a substrate, and the layer includes a hydrophobic silica. The amount of hydrophobic silica contained in the layer is within the range of 2.5 to 15.0% by weight, and preferably in the range of 7.5 to 12.5%. Also, the layer including fluoropolymer may further include a titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A first solar cell is electrically connected to a second solar cell electrically and arranged in an array direction. Each of the first and second solar cell comprises: a light-receiving surface; a rear surface; a plurality of n-type side electrodes and p-type side electrodes both formed in the array direction on the rear surface; a wiring member electrically connecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell and arranged over the plurality of n-type side electrodes and the plurality of p-type side electrodes; an n-type side electrode insulating member that is arranged over the wiring member and covers a part of the plurality of n-type side electrodes, the part facing the wiring member; and a p-type side electrode insulating member that is arranged over the wiring member and covers a part of the plurality of p-type side electrodes, the part facing the wiring member.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation apparatus includes a heat absorbing surface configured to absorb heat from an internal combustion engine, a heat generating surface bonded to the heat absorbing surface by a semiconductor and configured to discharge the heat to the outside, and a conductive converting part interposed between the heat absorbing surface and the internal combustion engine. The conductive converting part is configured to allow the heat to be conducted from the internal combustion engine to the heat absorbing surface when a temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or greater than a specific value.

Abstract: A thermoelectric pixel includes a micro-platform and a device layer having one or more support layers suspended at a perimeter thereof. The pixel includes structures which reduce thermal conductivity and improve platform planarity. In embodiments providing an infrared sensor, carbon nanotubes are used to enhance infrared absorption into the sensor pixel. In other embodiments, the pixel provides a thermoelectric energy harvester.

Abstract: A plurality of solar cell assembly series of a solar cell panel are so arranged that any two adjacent solar cells in the plurality of solar cell assembly series have a potential difference which does not exceed V volts which is a maximum output voltage of the plurality of solar cell assembly series.

Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell with a complex via structure in the substrate that has a primary via for containing a conductive material and an overflow capture region for capturing an overflow of the conductive material from the primary via. The conductive filling in the primary via may serve as an electrical contact between the PV cell and another PV cell. The overflow capture region includes one or more recesses formed on the substrate back surface. When the conductive material overflows from the primary via, the one or more recesses can capture and confine the overflow within the boundary of the complex via structure. A recess may be a rectangular or circular trench proximate to or overlaying the primary via. The recesses may also be depressions formed by roughening the substrate back surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for restoring efficiency of a photovoltaic cell. An illumination module illuminates photovoltaic cells so the cells receive a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 5 hours of solar illumination. After illumination, an annealing module anneals the photovoltaic cells at a temperature above 90 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 10 minutes. In one embodiment, the illumination module illuminates the photovoltaic cells for a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 20 hours of solar illumination. In another embodiment, the illumination module illuminates the photovoltaic cells for a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 16 hours of solar illumination while being heated to at least 50 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, a solar concentrator irradiates the photovoltaic cells in sunlight for at least 10 hours and increases the irradiance of solar illumination on the cells by a factor of 2 to 5.

Abstract: A solar cell has a metal contact formed to electrically contact a surface of semiconductor material forming a photovoltaic junction. The solar cell includes a surface region or regions of heavily doped material and the contact comprises a contact metallisation formed over the heavily doped regions to make contact thereto. Surface keying features are located in the semiconductor material into which the metallisation extends to assist in attachment of the metallisation to the semiconductor material.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, facilities, systems and methods, as well as related compositions, are disclosed. Embodiments involve providing a sensor in association with a photovoltaic facility to form a sensor-pv facility; and providing the sensor-pv facility in a kit adapted for purchase by a consumer to be deployed in a home environment.

Abstract: An analysis chip device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a placing board (17) on which a microchip (14) is placed, and a coupling (20) attached to a cover (11) of the microchip (14). The coupling (20) includes a linear electrode (25), a sleeve (22) including an attach part (28) that is attached to the cover (11) and an air core part (23) in which the electrode (25) is provided, the sleeve (22) having a side surface in which an inlet port (26) is provided, the inlet port (26) communicating with the air core part (23); and a holder (21) including a pipe connection part (27) to which a pipe (32) is connected, the pipe (32) supplying gas to the inlet port (26), the holder (21) holding the sleeve (22) so as to surround the inlet port (26).

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, a plurality of first electrodes positioned on one surface of the substrate in parallel with one another, and a plurality of back surface field regions which are positioned respectively correspondingly to the plurality of first electrodes, are separated from one another, and are doped with impurities of the first conductive type at a concentration higher than the substrate. Each back surface field region includes discontinuous regions in a longitudinal direction of the first electrodes. An impurity concentration of the discontinuous regions is lower than an impurity concentration of the back surface field region.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions with differentiated P-type and N-type architectures and incorporating a multi-purpose passivation and contact layer, and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface and a back surface. A P-type emitter region is disposed on the back surface of the substrate. An N-type emitter region is disposed in a trench formed in the back surface of the substrate. An N-type passivation layer is disposed on the N-type emitter region. A first conductive contact structure is electrically connected to the P-type emitter region. A second conductive contact structure is electrically connected to the N-type emitter region and is in direct contact with the N-type passivation layer.

Abstract: A solar cell module including a substrate and solar cells mounted on the substrate, the substrate including a base layer, a first insulation layer positioned over the base layer, a second insulation layer positioned over the first insulation layer and defining a surface, a first bus bar layer positioned between the first and second insulation layers, the first bus bar layer including at least one bus bar extending across the substrate, and a second bus bar layer positioned over the second insulation layer, the second bus bar layer including bus bars, wherein the solar cells are mounted on the surface and are electrically interconnected by the bus bars of the second bus bar layer.