Abstract: Differential capacitance manometers of the present disclosure may include a graphite baffle secured at one end and free at the other end, such that the baffle flexes toward and away from a pair of counter electrodes in the presence of a differential pressure. Because one of the electrodes is disposed closer to the free end of the baffle, a difference exists in the capacitance between the baffle and each of the electrodes, and this difference changes depending on the displacement of the baffle.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module may include a plurality of photovoltaic shingles disposed on and electrically interconnected by an integrated backsheet, to which are attached a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors. A plurality of photovoltaic shingles may be installed upon a roof and electrically interconnected in a single step by aligning openings in the shingles with apertures in the backsheet, simplifying module installation. The photovoltaic module may mimic the appearance of asphalt shingles and may be integrated within a roof of a house or other structure. Photovoltaic shingles or arrays of photovoltaic shingles can be pre-manufactured for easier installation or constructed at the application site.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module may include a plurality of photovoltaic shingles disposed on and electrically interconnected by an integrated backsheet, to which are attached a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors. A plurality of photovoltaic shingles may be installed upon a roof and electrically interconnected in a single step by aligning openings in the shingles with apertures in the backsheet, simplifying module installation. The photovoltaic module may mimic the appearance of asphalt shingles and may be integrated within a roof of a house or other structure. Photovoltaic shingles or arrays of photovoltaic shingles can be pre-manufactured for easier installation or constructed at the application site.

Abstract: Foldable photovoltaic assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies, including a transparent top sheet having a fold line and a conductive interconnection pattern spanning the fold line. The conductive interconnection pattern includes inter-cell connections configured to interconnect individual photovoltaic cells to form photovoltaic submodules, and also inter-submodule connections configured to interconnect photovoltaic submodules to form an assembly of submodules, which in some cases may be a fully assembled photovoltaic module. The inter-submodule connections span the fold line and are oriented at non-perpendicular angles relative to the fold line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for depositing a thin film layer onto a flexible ferromagnetic substrate include a porous block in a deposition zone and a plurality of magnets embedded within the porous block. The magnets provide a downward force on a flexible ferromagnetic substrate being transported over the porous block, e.g., in a reel-to-reel system. Pressurized gas is forced upward through the porous block, providing an upward force that balances the downward force and supports the substrate at a desired height above the porous block. The substrate is thus held flat during transport through the deposition zone, enabling uniform deposition of a thin film layer.

Abstract: A system for mounting flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules on ribbed rooftops (e.g., purlin bearing rib-style roofs) may include a pair of mating mounting brackets, one affixed to the PV module and the other affixed to a rib of the roof. The PV module may have a concave-down profile when installed, with standoffs installed on a bottom side of the module and hold-down ridge caps installed on adjacent ribs of the roof.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film layers of semiconductor material absorber layers on a substrate web. According to the present teachings, a semiconductor layer may be formed in a multi-zone process whereby various layers are deposited sequentially onto a moving substrate web.

Abstract: A system for mounting flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules on ribbed rooftops (e.g., purlin bearing rib-style roofs) may include a pair of mating mounting brackets, one affixed to the PV module and the other affixed to a rib of the roof. The PV module may have a concave-down profile when installed, with standoffs installed on a bottom side of the module and hold-down ridge caps installed on adjacent ribs of the roof.

Abstract: A conductive grid formation system, apparatus, and related methods may include a drum having a conductive surface, an insulation layer coating said surface, and a grid pattern formed in the insulation layer to expose portions of the conductive surface. The drum surface may be rotated into and out of a chemical bath, such that a metallic grid is electrodeposited in the exposed portions of the conductive surface. A polymer sheet may be laminated to the surface of the drum and then removed, such that the metallic grid attaches to the polymer sheet and is removed with the polymer sheet. Heat, pressure, and/or adhesive may be utilized in various steps of the process, to facilitate preferential adhesion of the metallic grid to the polymer sheet.

Abstract: A conductive grid formation system, apparatus, and related methods may include a drum having a conductive surface, an insulation layer coating said surface, and a grid pattern formed in the insulation layer to expose portions of the conductive surface. The drum surface may be rotated into and out of a chemical bath, such that a metallic grid is electrodeposited in the exposed portions of the conductive surface. A polymer sheet may be laminated to the surface of the drum and then removed, such that the metallic grid attaches to the polymer sheet and is removed with the polymer sheet. Heat, pressure, and/or adhesive may be utilized in various steps of the process, to facilitate preferential adhesion of the metallic grid to the polymer sheet.

Abstract: A conductive grid formation system, apparatus, and related methods may include a drum having a conductive surface, an insulation layer coating said surface, and a grid pattern formed in the insulation layer to expose portions of the conductive surface. The drum surface may be rotated into and out of a chemical bath, such that a metallic grid is electrodeposited in the exposed portions of the conductive surface. A polymer sheet may be laminated to the surface of the drum and then removed, such that the metallic grid attaches to the polymer sheet and is removed with the polymer sheet. Heat, pressure, and/or adhesive may be utilized in various steps of the process, to facilitate preferential adhesion of the metallic grid to the polymer sheet.

Abstract: PV devices including bi-layer pixels having reflective and/or antireflective properties, and methods for manufacturing PV devices including bi-layer pixels having reflective and/or antireflective properties. In some embodiments, each bi-layer pixel includes a first layer with reflective properties, and a second layer with antireflective properties.

Abstract: A conductive grid formation system, apparatus, and related methods may include a drum having a conductive surface, an insulation layer coating said surface, and a grid pattern formed in the insulation layer to expose portions of the conductive surface. The drum surface may be rotated into and out of a chemical bath, such that a metallic grid is electrodeposited in the exposed portions of the conductive surface. A polymer sheet may be laminated to the surface of the drum and then removed, such that the metallic grid attaches to the polymer sheet and is removed with the polymer sheet. Heat, pressure, and/or adhesive may be utilized in various steps of the process, to facilitate preferential adhesion of the metallic grid to the polymer sheet.

Abstract: A conductive grid formation system, apparatus, and related methods may include a drum having a conductive surface, an insulation layer coating said surface, and a grid pattern formed in the insulation layer to expose portions of the conductive surface. The drum surface may be rotated into and out of a chemical bath, such that a metallic grid is electrodeposited in the exposed portions of the conductive surface. A polymer sheet may be laminated to the surface of the drum and then removed, such that the metallic grid attaches to the polymer sheet and is removed with the polymer sheet. Heat, pressure, and/or adhesive may be utilized in various steps of the process, to facilitate preferential adhesion of the metallic grid to the polymer sheet.

Abstract: Foldable photovoltaic assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies, including a transparent top sheet having a fold line and a conductive interconnection pattern spanning the fold line. The conductive interconnection pattern includes inter-cell connections configured to interconnect individual photovoltaic cells to form photovoltaic submodules, and also inter-submodule connections configured to interconnect photovoltaic submodules to form an assembly of submodules, which in some cases may be a fully assembled photovoltaic module. The inter-submodule connections span the fold line and are oriented at non-perpendicular angles relative to the fold line.

Abstract: Improved BIPV materials configured to meet various long-term requirements including, among others, a high degree of water resistance, physical durability, electrical durability, and an ability to withstand variations in temperature and other environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosed BIPV materials include modules wherein two or more layers of the module are configured to be joined together during lamination to protect edge portions of the top sheet and/or back sheet of the module, such as in the vicinity of any multi-layer vapor barrier structure(s) of the module.

Abstract: Mounting systems for PV modules and assemblies of modules, including apparatus and methods of use. The disclosed systems generally involve mounting a flexible photovoltaic module in a slight arch, bending it with a large radius around one axis of the module.