Abstract: A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.

Abstract: A solar cell module to convert light to electricity. The module may include a housing with a first side and an opposing spaced-apart second side. A plurality of lenses may be positioned on the first side of the housing, and a plurality of solar cell receivers may be positioned on the second side of the housing. Each of the plurality of solar cell receivers may include a III-V compound semiconductor multifunction solar cell. Each may also include a bypass diode coupled with the solar cell. At least one optical element may be positioned above the solar cell to guide the light from one of the lenses onto the solar cell. Each of said solar cell receivers may be disposed in an optical path of one of the lenses. The lens and the at least one optical element may concentrate the light onto the respective solar cell by a factor of 1000 or more to generate in excess of 25 watts of peak power.

Abstract: Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy, such as used in a concentrating photovoltaic system. The modules have a first ventilating opening in the module housing; and a ventilating subassembly mounted on the module housing and disposed over the ventilating opening in the module housing. The ventilating subassembly has a housing having a first chamber adjacent to and in communication with the first ventilating opening in the module housing; a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber, the second chamber having a second ventilating opening to the external environment; and a filter membrane separating the first chamber from the second chamber to allow air to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber through the filter membrane.

Abstract: A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.

Abstract: An electrically conductive ceramic heating element for use in a reactor for depositing a film of material onto a semiconductor wafer, said reactor comprising a reactor chamber, a radiative heating device disposed within the reactor chamber including the heating element and operative for heating said wafer to a temperature of greater than 1100 degrees C., a wafer carrier disposed within the reactor chamber and adjacent to the radiative heating device, the wafer carrier having at least one wafer cavity for supporting a semiconductor wafer for having a film of material be deposited thereon.

Abstract: A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.

Abstract: Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy, such as used in a concentrating photovoltaic system. The modules have a first ventilating opening in the module housing; and a ventilating subassembly mounted on the module housing and disposed over the ventilating opening in the module housing. The ventilating subassembly has a housing having a first chamber adjacent to and in communication with the first ventilating opening in the module housing; a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber, the second chamber having a second ventilating opening to the external environment; and a filter membrane separating the first chamber from the second chamber to allow air to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber through the filter membrane.

Abstract: Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The modules includes a housing formed from three separate members that are attached together to form an interior space. A top member extends across an open side of the housing and includes one or more lenses. One or more solar cell receivers are positioned within the interior space of the house and are aligned with one or more of the lenses to receive and convert the solar energy into electrical energy.

Abstract: A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.

Abstract: A solar cell module to convert light to electricity. The module may include a housing with a first side and an opposing spaced-apart second side. A plurality of lenses may be positioned on the first side of the housing, and a plurality of solar cell receivers may be positioned on the second side of the housing. Each of the plurality of solar cell receivers may include a III-V compound semiconductor multifunction solar cell. Each may also include a bypass diode coupled with the solar cell. At least one optical element may be positioned above the solar cell to guide the light from one of the lenses onto the solar cell. Each of said solar cell receivers may be disposed in an optical path of one of the lenses. The lens and the at least one optical element may concentrate the light onto the respective solar cell by a factor of 1000 or more to generate in excess of 25 watts of peak power.