Abstract: Disclosed herein is add-on electronic circuit structures and methods for providing protection against reverse-electrical-current failures and for enabling comprehensive electrical (current-voltage sweep) and electro-optical (electroluminescence or EL using reserve current flow) testing of solar photovoltaic cells and modules having at least one multi-modal maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer integrated circuit chip to increase electrical energy generation yield of the modules. Such multi-modal MPPT power optimizer chips are used for distributed solar electric power generation enhancement in solar photovoltaic cells, modules, and systems under realistic operating conditions with non-ideal manufacturing and environmental variations (e.g., variable and/or non-uniform sunlight or daylight, mismatched cells, etc.).

Abstract: A method for calculating a real-time effective temperature of a solar photovoltaic module at any operating time during power generation period between a daily wake-up time and sleep time of said solar photovoltaic module is provided. The method is based on, in part, measuring the solar photovoltaic module open-circuit voltage at said daily wake-up time and measuring the solar photovoltaic module open-circuit voltage at said operating time.

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

Abstract: A multi-modal maximum power point tracking optimization solar photovoltaic system is provided. A maximum power point tracking optimizer is connected to and powered by at least one solar cell.

Abstract: A Fourier transform spectrometer implemented on a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is provided. An input optical signal waveguide carries an input optical signal to be analyzed to an on-chip Y branch splitter to split the input signal equally to carry coupled-optical signals related to the input optical signal into twin array waveguides of a first waveguide array and a second waveguide array. The optical signal from the first waveguide array and the optical signal from the second waveguide array intersect at a preset intersecting angle at an output plane of the PIC such that the spectral and spatial resolutions of the interferogram of the spectrometer are determined by the intersecting angle.

Abstract: A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

Abstract: A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, N at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

Abstract: A multi-modal maximum power point tracking optimization solar photovoltaic system is provided. A maximum power point tracking optimizer is connected to and powered by at least one solar cell.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking optimizer is connected to and powered by at least one solar cell. The maximum power point tracking optimizer configured to operate: in a pass-through mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than a passthrough threshold and greater than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said pass-through mode flowing current through a pass-through circuit; in an optimizing mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than an optimizing threshold and less than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said optimizing mode modulating current flow using a DC-to-DC switching circuit to direct the voltage of said at least solar cell towards said ratio of the open-circuit voltage; in an active bypass mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is less than an active bypass threshold, said active bypass mode flowing current through an active bypass circuit.

Abstract: A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, N at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is add-on electronic circuit structures and methods for providing protection against reverse-electrical-current failures and for enabling comprehensive electrical (current-voltage sweep) and electro-optical (electroluminescence or EL using reserve current flow) testing of solar photovoltaic cells and modules having at least one multi-modal maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer integrated circuit chip to increase electrical energy generation yield of the modules. Such multi-modal MPPT power optimizer chips are used for distributed solar electric power generation enhancement in solar photovoltaic cells, modules, and systems under realistic operating conditions with non-ideal manufacturing and environmental variations (e.g., variable and/or non-uniform sunlight or daylight, mismatched cells, etc.).

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module remote-access module switch and real-time temperature monitoring system is provided.

Abstract: This disclosure enables high-productivity controlled fabrication of uniform porous semiconductor layers (made of single layer or multi-layer porous semiconductors such as porous silicon, comprising single porosity or multi-porosity layers). Some applications include fabrication of MEMS separation and sacrificial layers for die detachment and MEMS device fabrication, membrane formation and shallow trench isolation (STI) porous silicon (using porous silicon formation with an optimal porosity and its subsequent oxidation). Further, this disclosure is applicable to the general fields of photovoltaics, MEMS, including sensors and actuators, stand-alone, or integrated with integrated semiconductor microelectronics, semiconductor microelectronics chips and optoelectronics.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking optimizer is connected to and powered by at least one solar cell. The maximum power point tracking optimizer configured to operate: in a pass-through mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than a passthrough threshold and greater than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said pass-through mode flowing current through a pass-through circuit; in an optimizing mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than an optimizing threshold and less than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said optimizing mode modulating current flow using a DC-to-DC switching circuit to direct the voltage of said at least solar cell towards said ratio of the open-circuit voltage; in an active bypass mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is less than an active bypass threshold, said active bypass mode flowing current through an active bypass circuit.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module remote-access module switch and real-time temperature monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, a remote-access module switch and monitoring circuit capable of communicating with a remote receiver and having a pair of output electrical leads, and a pair of input electrical leads connected to a pair of electrical power leads of a solar photovoltaic module is provided, and which further includes a series switch, a module voltage measurement circuit, a module current measurement circuit, a temperature sensor, and a communication circuit.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module laminate for electric power generation is provided. A plurality of solar cells are embedded within module laminate and arranged to form at least one string of electrically interconnected solar cells within said module laminate. A plurality of power optimizers are embedded within the module laminate and electrically interconnected to and powered with the plurality of solar cells. Each of the distributed power optimizers capable of operating in either pass-through mode without local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) or switching mode with local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) and having at least one associated bypass switch for distributed shade management.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects are described. The method comprises depositing an interdigitated pattern of base electrodes and emitter electrodes on a backside surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming electrically conductive emitter plugs and base plugs on the interdigitated pattern, and attaching a backplane having a second interdigitated pattern of base electrodes and emitter electrodes at the conductive emitter and base plugs to form electrical interconnects.

Abstract: This disclosure enables high-productivity controlled fabrication of uniform porous semiconductor layers (made of single layer or multi-layer porous semiconductors such as porous silicon, comprising single porosity or multi-porosity layers). Some applications include fabrication of MEMS separation and sacrificial layers for die detachment and MEMS device fabrication, membrane formation and shallow trench isolation (STI) porous silicon (using porous silicon formation with an optimal porosity and its subsequent oxidation). Further, this disclosure is applicable to the general fields of photovoltaics, MEMS, including sensors and actuators, stand-alone, or integrated with integrated semiconductor microelectronics, semiconductor microelectronics chips and optoelectronics.

Abstract: This disclosure enables high-productivity fabrication of porous semiconductor layers (made of single layer or multi-layer porous semiconductors such as porous silicon, comprising single porosity or multi-porosity layers). Some applications include fabrication of MEMS separation and sacrificial layers for die detachment and MEMS device fabrication, membrane formation and shallow trench isolation (STI) porous silicon (using porous silicon formation with an optimal porosity and its subsequent oxidation). Further, this disclosure is applicable to the general fields of photovoltaics, MEMS, including sensors and actuators, stand-alone, or integrated with integrated semiconductor microelectronics, semiconductor microelectronics chips and optoelectronics.