Abstract: A concentration photovoltaic CPV assembly system is provided that allows on-field assembly, space-efficient storage and optimized shipment. The CPV assembly system is configured to be stored and transported in an un-assembled state, and configured to be mounted on site while safeguarding the tight mounting tolerances and environmental protection requirements, as well as all the geometrical requirements of the optical system.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet-like light collector device comprising a light receiving side and a light exit side, and a plurality of curved structures of light guiding material comprising an organic dye configured to absorb at least part of the light of a light source and to convert at least part of the absorbed light into converted light in the visible wavelength range. Each curved structure has a convex curved part at the light receiving side, a concave part at the light exit side, and a light exit edge part at the light exit side. Each curved structure has a curvature and light guide thickness configured to facilitate transport of incoupled light and the visible converted light in the direction of the light exit edge part to provide device light escaping from the light exit edge part.

Abstract: Provided are a backsheet for a photovoltaic module, a method of manufacturing the same, and a photovoltaic module. As a resin layer including a fluoropolymer is formed by coating an aqueous dispersion composition including a crystalline fluoropolymer, a pigment, an aqueous dispersion binder and water on a substrate by an in-line coating process in a process of manufacturing the substrate, a process of manufacturing the backsheet may be simplified. In addition, since the process of manufacturing the backsheet does not use a toxic organic solvent, the process may be environmentally friendly and economical, and may enhance both productivity and product quality.

Abstract: A secondary lens includes a first face on which a concentrated light beam output from a concentrating lens is incident and a second face from which the concentrated light beam output from the concentrating lens is output to a photovoltaic cell. The secondary lens guides incident light to the photovoltaic cell through an optical refractive face provided on the first face. A cross-sectional area of the first face in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis (Ax) of the concentrated light beam monotonically increases as the cross-sectional area approaches from a side of the first face closer to the concentrating lens to a side of the first face closer to the photovoltaic cell. At least one point of inflection at which an angle of inclination (?) of the first face with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis decreases as the angle of inclination (?) approaches from the side of the first face closer to the concentrating lens to the side of the first face closer to the photovoltaic cell is provided.

Abstract: The invention described here is a variable optical density solar collector optimized to be used in a nominally vertical orientation and in synergy with an adjacent, complementary solar concentrator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell which includes a conductive substrate, a counter substrate facing the conductive substrate, an electrolyte disposed between the conductive substrate and the counter substrate, and an annular sealing portion surrounding the electrolyte together with the conductive substrate and the counter substrate and connecting the conductive substrate and the counter substrate. The sealing portion has an inorganic sealing portion fixed to the conductive substrate and a resin sealing portion fixed to the counter substrate. The inorganic sealing portion has a main body portion provided on the conductive substrate and a protruding portion extending from the main body portion toward a side opposite to the conductive substrate, and the resin sealing portion has an adhesive portion adhering the main body portion to the counter substrate and adhered to a side surface along an extending direction of the protruding portion.

Abstract: The present application relates to a high-power solar module with high reliability and, more particularly, to a thin and light solar module with high efficiency and a long life. To resolve the aging problem occurring in a conventional back plate structure and the technical problem of low efficiency of the solar module caused by the excessively thin or thick embossed glass, the present invention therefore provides a solar module comprising a lower-layer tempered glass; a lower-layer adhesion layer; a solar cell; an upper-layer adhesion layer; a glass ball layer; and an upper-layer tempered glass. The present invention also provides a solar module comprising a lower-layer tempered glass; a lower-layer adhesion layer; a solar cell; an upper-layer adhesion layer; and an upper-layer tempered glass, wherein refraction particles are doped in the upper-layer adhesion layer, the lower-layer adhesion layer, or the two adhesion layers.

Abstract: An encapsulating material for solar cell of the invention contains an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer, and a content of a fluorine element in the ethylene/?-olefin copolymer, which is determined using a combustion method and an ion chromatograph method, is equal to or less than 30 ppm.

Abstract: Provided is a multilayered film having excellent reliability and adhesive strength under a heat/water resistance condition, and excellent weather resistance and durability by forming a primer layer including a fluoropolymer and an oxazoline group-containing polymer on a base and forming a resin layer including a fluoropolymer on the primer layer. In addition, the multilayered film uses a low boiling point solvent, and thus is manufactured at a low drying temperature and with a low cost, resulting in reducing production costs and preventing degradation of quality of a product from thermal deformation or thermal impact. Such a multilayered film may be effectively used in a backsheet for a photovoltaic module to provide a photovoltaic module capable of maintaining excellent durability even in long-term exposure to an external environment.

Abstract: A back sheet for a solar battery module that is less likely to cause a rise in temperature by irradiation with rays of the sun even though displaying a black color in appearance, and is less likely to discolor even after a long-term use thereof while suppressing a rise in cost. The back sheet for a solar battery module according to the present invention includes a colored layer that includes three or more types of color materials each having a different hue and a brightness L* of no less than 45, the colored layer having a brightness L* of no greater than 40. It is preferred that the three or more types of color materials are constituted with at least a red color material, a blue color material and a yellow color material. Preferably, a base sheet on which the colored layer is laminated is further included. It is preferred that the base sheet displays a white color and the colored layer is laminated on the front face side of the base sheet.

Abstract: A polyester film includes particles and two kinds of crystalline polyester resins in which a sea-island structure is formed, wherein, if a crystallization temperature of a crystalline polyester resin A that forms a continuous phase or matrix phase in the polyester film is represented by TccA and a crystallization temperature of a crystalline polyester resin B that forms a dispersion phase or domain phase in the polyester film is represented by TccB, expression (1) below is satisfied, and a degree of flatness of the dispersion phase is 3 or more, and 70% or more of a total number of the particles present in the dispersion phase or are in contact with the dispersion phase: TccA?TccB?5° C.??Expression (1).

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell including: (a) a housing including an at least partially transparent cell wall having an interior surface; (b) an electrolyte, containing an iodide based species; (c) a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed on the interior surface; (d) an anode disposed on the conductive coating, the anode including: (i) a porous film containing titania, the porous film adapted to make intimate contact with the iodide based species, and (ii) a dye, absorbed on a surface of the porous film, the dye and the porous film adapted to convert photons to electrons; (e) a cathode disposed on an interior surface of the housing; (f) electrically-conductive metallic wires, disposed within the cell, and electrically contacting the anode and the coating, and (g) a second electrically conductive coating including an inorganic binder and an inorganic electrically conductive filler, the second coating bridging between each of the wires and the transparent coating.

Abstract: A solar energy harvesting and storage system is disclosed having a dual-sided lithographically integrated light-to-electrical energy converter. The integrated light-to-electrical energy converter has at least one array of photovoltaic, cells having an array of optoelectronic components, each of which have a compound optical structure that spatially separates light into multiple wavelengths and a P/N junction having a gradient of semiconductor materials and/or dopants responsive to a narrow band of wavelengths. A common electrode connects the optoelectronic components and the common electrode is electrically connected to at least one integrated DC to AC inverter. Also disclosed is a dual-axis solar tracking system upon which the dual-sided lithographically integrated light-to-electrical energy converter is mounted. The dual-axis solar tracking system has two stages of tracking mounts, each tracking mount has a plurality of leaf-springs in a vertical arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method for improved photovoltaic module structure is described. One embodiment includes a photovoltaic module comprising a front substrate, a photovoltaic structure attached to the front substrate, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, a back substrate, wherein the back substrate is spaced apart from the photovoltaic structure, and a structural component, wherein the structural component is located between the back substrate and the photovoltaic structure. In some embodiments, the structural component may be configured to provide thermal conduction between the front substrate and the back substrate, and/or the structural component may be configured to retain the front substrate and/or back substrate during breakage.

Abstract: A polyester film including a cyclic carbodiimide compound represented by the following Formula (O-1) has good film thickness uniformity without increase in viscosity. R1 and R5 represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkoxy group; R2 to R4 and R6 to R8 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkoxy group; X1 and X2 represent a single bond, —O—, —CO—, —S—, —SO2—, —NH—, or —CH2—; and L1 represents a divalent linking group.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposited film includes silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, carbon atoms, and hydrogen atoms. The chemical vapor deposited film is formed by a plasma CVD method such that the concentration of the oxygen atoms is 10-35% by element.

Abstract: The present invention is a sealing sheet for a back surface of a solar cell comprising only one polyester film, wherein the polyester film is composed of at least the layer A and the layer B, or the layer A, the layer B and the layer C described below, wherein the polyester film has a given whiteness and a given average reflectance of the polyester film, a given acid value of the polyester, a given thickness of the whole polyester film, a given thickness of the A layer and the B layer, and a given content of the inorganic fine particles in the whole polyester film. Layer A: a polyester resin layer in which the content of the inorganic fine particles is 10 to 35% by mass Layer B: a polyester resin layer in which the content of the inorganic fine particles is 0 to 8% by mass, which is the smallest among the contents of the inorganic fine particles in the layer A, the layer B and the layer C Layer C: a polyester resin layer in which the content of the inorganic fine particles is 0.

Abstract: Provided is a coating composition excellent in antifouling properties, transparency and hydrophilicity, wherein the coating composition contains (A) a metal oxide particle having a number average particle size of 1 nm to 400 nm; and (B) a polymer particle, in which the content of an aqueous-phase component in the component (B), represented by the expression (I), is 20 mass % or less, where (I) (%)=(dry mass of a filtrate obtained by filtering the component (B) at a molecular cutoff of 50,000)×(100?total mass of solid content)/(mass of the filtrate?dry mass of the filtrate)×100/the total mass of solid content.

Abstract: The coating composition according to the present invention includes a metal oxide (A) containing a spherical metal oxide (a1) and a chain metal oxide (a2) having an aspect ratio (major diameter/minor diameter) of 3 to 25, and a polymer emulsion particle (B). The coating composition according to the present invention preferably further includes a hydrolyzable silicon compound (C). The antireflection film according to the present invention is obtained by applying and drying the coating composition on a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic concentrator module comprising at least one lens and at least one photovoltaic cell, further comprising a distance adjustment means configured to adjust the distance between the at least one lens and the at least one photovoltaic cell. Using the distance adjustment means, the cell and the lens can be kept at a desired distance, e.g., the focal distance. The distance adjustment means can be a pressure varying means. The invention further relates to a photovoltaic concentrator array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules and to a method for improving the energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic concentrator module.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible photovoltaic apparatus including a composite fabric structure, a thin film photovoltaic device and a protection layer. The thin film photovoltaic device is bonded on an upper surface of the composite fabric structure. The protection layer is transparent, and is bonded on the thin film photovoltaic device and the upper surface of the composite fabric structure such that two terminals of the thin film photovoltaic device are exposed. A lower surface of the composite fabric structure serves as a decorative surface.

Abstract: A device and method of improving efficiency of a thin film solar cell by providing a back reflector between a back electrode layer and an absorber layer. Back reflector reflects sunlight photons back into the absorber layer to generate additional electrical energy. The device is a photovoltaic device comprising a substrate, a back electrode layer, a back reflector, an absorber layer, a buffer layer, and a front contact layer. The back reflector is formed as a plurality of parallel lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic device for direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, which comprises a concentrator lens system and at least one solar cell. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for producing a concentrator lens system which can be used in a corresponding photovoltaic device but also in other devices for, e.g. thermal, use of radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides a luminescent optical device (10) having an optical waveguide (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further has a photo-luminescent structure (100) on or inside the optical waveguide (200). The photo-luminescent structure (100) comprises a plurality of photo-luminescent domains (110) containing photo-luminescent material (120). The photo-luminescent material (120) is capable of emitting emission light upon excitation by excitation light. The photo-luminescent domains (110) are arranged to emit, upon excitation by excitation light, at least part of the emission light into the optical waveguide layer (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further may comprise a lens structure (300) on the optical waveguide (200).

Abstract: Methods and devices for increase power output from solar devices. In one embodiment, the technique enables the front hot solar panel surface to be cooled by attachment of a thermoelectric multilayer stack to the back solar panel surface. The thermoelectric stack cools the solar panel front surface by drawing heat from the front to the back of the panel. That heat is transformed into mechanical vibrations using an inverse Peltier effect and that mechanical energy then transformed into electrical energy using a piezoelectric effect. Power output is first increased by lower operating temperature on front, resulting in a higher power conversion efficiency for the photovoltaic effect taking place in the CIGS/CdS active layers or other thin films, then from an additional power output from secondary electrical energy created from mechanical arising from the temperature-gradient driven occurrence of the thermoelectric effect.

Abstract: A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (“OTTI”); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (“SSTC”) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar module including at least one photovoltaic cell including a first transparent polymer layer surrounding the cell on all or some of its sides and a second transparent polymer layer surrounding the first transparent polymer layer on all or some of its sides. The second transparent polymer layer has a thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and a Shore hardness D greater than that of the first polymer layer.

Abstract: In various embodiments, photovoltaic modules include a first glass sheet, a photovoltaic device disposed on the first glass sheet, a second glass sheet, and a layer of melted glass. The second glass sheet is disposed over and in contact with at least a portion of the photovoltaic device. The first glass sheet and the second glass sheet have a gap therebetween spanned, over only a portion of an area of the gap, by the photovoltaic device. The layer of melted glass powder seals the gap between the first and second glass sheets at an edge region proximate an edge of at least one of the first or second glass sheets.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a multilayer composition containing fluoropolymer and method for fabricating the same, and a solar cell module. The multilayer composition includes: a fluoropolymer layer; a non-fluorinated polymer layer; and an adhesion promoter layer formed between the fluoropolymer layer and the non-fluorinated polymer layer, wherein the adhesion promoter layer includes aromatic diamines or aromatic polyamines.

Abstract: A device containing a solar cell chip that may include a hermetically sealed chamber containing optical matching fluid and a threaded pedestal mounting to allow for replacement of solar cell units and that are easily mountable to a master heat sink.

Abstract: A device containing a solar cell is provided in the form of a stacked package that has a planar arrangement of conductive laminates at or below the surface of a heat sink. The planar alignment allows placement of electrical connections below the surface of the heat sink and reduces the vertical profile of the device, making it easier to be hermetically sealed. In specific embodiments the solar cell substrate is embedded within the heat sink during the manufacturing phase, eliminating the need for a thermally conductive substrate between the solar cell and the heat sink.

Abstract: A solar cell module sealing film including a pair of sealing films which seals a photovoltaic element including a first film disposed on a surface of the photovoltaic element, and a second film disposed on a back surface of the photovoltaic element, in which transmittance of light having a wavelength of 350 nm in the first film is greater than or equal to 80%, and an ultraviolet ray absorber is contained in at least one of the first film and the second film.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes solar cells that are encased in a protective package and a high electric susceptibility layer that is placed on the solar cells. The high electric susceptibility layer is polarized such that a sheet charge is developed at the interface of the high electric susceptibility layer and the solar cells. The protective package includes an encapsulant that encapsulates the solar cells. The encapsulant may be a multilayer encapsulant, with the high electric susceptibility layer being a layer of the encapsulant. The high electric susceptibility layer may also be a material that is separate from the encapsulant.

Abstract: A concentrator-driven, photovoltaic power generator system and method for capturing and transmitting electromagnetic radiation utilizing a reflector having a concave reflecting surface for concentrating electromagnetic radiation to a focal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a radiation-hardenable resin composition for producing solar laminates, a method for creating a solar laminate using the resin composition according to the invention, and a solar laminate that can be produced using this method.

Abstract: A solar cell module and a method of manufacturing the same. The solar cell module includes: a solar cell that includes a light absorption layer including a p-type compound semiconductor, a buffer layer disposed on the light absorption layer, and a window layer that is disposed on the buffer layer and includes an n-type metal oxide semiconductor; a reflection-prevention layer disposed on the window layer of the solar cell; an adhesive layer disposed on the reflection-prevention layer; and a cover layer disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the reflection-prevention layer includes an organic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an EVA sheet for a solar cell sealing material comprising a thermal adhesion layer formed on an upper surface of a backsheet, wherein the thermal adhesion layer contains thermal adhesive resin powder including ethylene-based resin. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing an EVA sheet for a solar cell sealing material, comprising: a step of laminating polyethyleneterephthalate to form a backsheet; a step of preparing thermal adhesive resin powder including ethylene-based resin; a step of scattering the thermal adhesive resin powder on the backsheet; and a step of hardening the scattered thermal adhesive resin powder to form a thermal adhesion layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable photovoltaic modules, methods of making durable photovoltaic modules, and constructions including durable photovoltaic cells and modules.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a protective body, a sheet facing the protective body, a filler layer provided between the protective body and the sheet, and a solar cell disposed inside the filler layer. The filler layer has a first filler layer and a second filler layer. The first filler layer is provided in contact with the sheet. The first filler layer is formed of a resin. The second filler layer is formed of a resin whose gel fraction is higher than 0% and is less than a gel fraction of the resin of the first filler layer.

Abstract: A solar power system concurrently generates electricity and a heated transparent fluid while maintaining the solar cells at an optimum temperature and optimizing the heat transfer by matching the refractive index of the secondary sunlight concentrator to the transparent fluid. A solar tracker aligns a primary sunlight concentrator to collect sunlight and directs the sunlight and a system for transferring solar heat to a transparent fluid and into a solar power electrical generating system. The concentrated sunlight transfers solar heat to a transparent fluid via first pass through the transparent fluid. The concentrated sunlight is further concentrated to raise its temperature by passing the concentrated sunlight through a secondary sunlight concentrator, and then passed again through the transparent fluid to transfer heat. The solar energy diminished concentrated sunlight strikes a solar cell array to generate electricity.

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: 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: Discussed is a back sheet for a solar cell module. The back sheet includes a base member and a first layer formed on one surface of the base member, the first layer including a resin. A reflector is formed in at least a portion of the back sheet.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an assembly comprising an electronic device; and a multilayer film. The multilayer film comprises a barrier stack adjacent the electronic device, and a weatherable sheet adjacent the barrier stack opposite the electronic device. The assembly additionally comprises an opaque protective layer adjacent the barrier stack opposite the electronic device.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate and a photovoltaic power module incorporating the semiconductor substrate. The substrate includes one or more bypass diodes formed integrally in the semiconductor substrate, each bypass diode corresponding to a respective one or more photovoltaic cells, and metallised zones being electrically and thermally coupled to the bypass diodes. The substrate enables photovoltaic cells to be placed close together, and has low thermal resistance. Methods of manufacturing the substrate and module are provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) structure for generating electrical power from light, the structure including an enhancing layer for increasing the absorption of the light into the structure, the enhancing layer including: a wrinkled graphene layer configured to trap the light in the PV structure; and aluminium nanoparticles configured to scatter the light into the PV structure.

Abstract: An optical system for light energy concentration may comprise a light concentrator to convert incident light to converging light, a light collimating element to receive the converging light and to reduce an angle of convergence of the converging light, and a light directing element to direct the reduced-angle converging light to a light guide to transmit the directed light.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric conversion device having a passivation layer suitable for a structure provided with a heat dissipation mechanism. A photoelectric conversion device 1 of the present invention has a first electrode layer 20, a single power generation laminate 22 having a nip structure formed of a-Si (amorphous silicon), and a second electrode layer 26 of Al formed on the power generation laminate 22 through a nickel layer 24. On the second electrode layer 26, a passivation layer 28 constructed of a material containing SiCN is formed. On the passivation layer 28, a heat sink 30 (for example, formed of Al) is mounted through an adhesive layer 29.

Abstract: A convective method is employed to cool a solar concentrator device. The convective method employs formation of a vortex gas circulation inside an enclosure of the solar concentrator device, which is bounded by at least one light-path altering component, sidewalls, and a back panel. Optionally, a heat sink assembly can be provided within the enclosure. Internal convention through the vortex gas circulation transfers the heat generated at a photovoltaic cell to all surfaces of the solar concentrator device to facilitate radiative and/or convective cooling at the outside surfaces of the enclosure.

Abstract: A composite film comprising: (i) a heat-stabilised oriented polyester substrate comprising a UV-absorber in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% based on the total weight of the polyester substrate, and (ii) on one or both surfaces of the substrate a polymeric coating layer, which has a thickness in the range of from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, and which comprises an ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer, wherein the composite film exhibits a shrinkage at 150° C. for 30 minutes of less than 0.1% in both the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the film, and use thereof in the manufacture of photo-voltaic cells.