Abstract: A flexible and/or bendable photovoltaic (PV) module including a plurality of PV cell based units, the immediately-adjacent of which are chained together by a flexible joint. A segment of flexible electrically-conductive member runs through the flexible joint to establish electrical communication between the PV cell based units. An encapsulant embedding the PV cell based units optionally defines a convex surface above a PV cell. A PV cell based unit may include a hologram increasing the amount of light delivered to the PV cell.

Abstract: A PV module includes strings of serially electrically connected individual bifacial photovoltaic cells each of which is characterized by conversion efficiencies that are different for front and back sides of each cell. The module includes at least two of such strings which are electrically parallel to one another such that front sides of cells in one string and back sides of the cells in another string corresponding to the same side of the module. Each side of the module is thereby adapted to generate substantially the same amount of electrical power under otherwise equal circumstances. On a sunny day, the module generates as much electrical power before noon as after noon if the front side and the back side receive, aggregately, substantially the same amount of solar power incident thereon during the day.

Abstract: A holographic replicator configured to mass-manufacture volumetric transmission holograms and including an imaging tank having a holographic master plate opposing a pneumatic absorber. When a segment of a recording film, moveable with respect to the master plate, is placed between the master plate and the pneumatic absorber, the pneumatic absorber is repositioned in space to locks the segment of the recording film between the master plate and the pneumatic absorber.

Abstract: A holographic planar concentrator of solar energy employing an array of holographically-recorded diffraction grating elements adjoining the corresponding bifacial or monofacial PV-cell. Diffracting grating elements are configured to operate in transmission and/or reflection. The array is sandwiched and, optionally, encapsulated between the two layers of structurally supporting material that are impermeable to ambient moisture. The grating elements can be blazed and the material layer in which the gratings are recorded is protected from the moisture in the ambient environment by a moisture impermeable encapsulant.

Abstract: A solar concentrator having a photovoltaic cell in optical contact with a cover. A blazed grating is provided adjacent to and co-planar with the photovoltaic cell for preferentially diffracting light that does not directly intercept the photovoltaic cell toward the photovoltaic cell via total internal reflection in the cover.

Abstract: A novel light absorbing holographic film for holographic processing is present. The holographic film includes a light absorbing film having a holographic medium disposed thereon. The light absorbing film comprises a substrate and a light absorption layer disposed on a first surface of the substrate. In certain embodiments a second light absorption layer is disposed on a second, opposing surface of the substrate. In other embodiments, a second absorption layer is disposed on top of the first absorption layer.

Abstract: PV module composed of individual PV cells oriented and electrically connected according to a methodology that is viable for at least i) bifacial cells with substantially equal solar-energy conversion efficiency achievable on each side of each cell, and ii) PV modules with low operating current. Embodiments of the invention facilitate the use of different busing technologies to reduce cost and complexity of the resulting PV module while increasing the electrical energy harvested by the PV module.

Abstract: A holographic replicator configured to mass-manufacture volumetric transmission holograms and including an imaging tank having a holographic master plate opposing a pneumatic absorber. When a segment of a recording film, moveable with respect to the master plate, is placed between the master plate and the pneumatic absorber, the pneumatic absorber is repositioned in space to locks the segment of the recording film between the master plate and the pneumatic absorber.