Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming perovskite hole transport layers for use in manufacturing photovoltaic devices are described. Embodiments include using a plurality of hole transport materials to produce high-performance HTL contacts to improve performance and stability.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having contact layers are described herein. Devices, intermediate structures, and methods for making multilayer contacts for perovskite photovoltaic devices are provided. Embodiments include back contacts for N-I-P structures.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to solar module mounting systems. A system may include an adhesion sheet configured to be secured to a roof of a structure via an adhesive. The system may further include at least one clamp configured for securing at least one solar module to the adhesion sheet.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and at least one Se-containing layer, such as a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing the photovoltaic device includes forming the CdSeTe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process can also include controlling a thickness range of the Se-containing layer.

Abstract: A method for annealing an absorber layer is disclosed, the method including contacting a surface of the absorber layer with an annealing material provided as a gel. The annealing material comprises cadmium chloride and a thickening agent. A viscosity of the gel of the annealing material is greater than or equal to 5 millipascal seconds.

Abstract: Provided are structures and methods for doping polycrystalline thin film semiconductor materials in photovoltaic devices. Embodiments include methods for forming and treating a photovoltaic semiconductor absorber layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a photovoltaic device are provided herein. The photovoltaic device can include a layer stack and an absorber layer disposed on the layer stack. The absorber layer can include a first region and a second region. Each of the first region of the absorber layer and the second region of the absorber layer can include a compound comprising cadmium, selenium, and tellurium. An atomic concentration of selenium can vary across the absorber layer. The first region of the absorber layer can have a thickness between 100 nanometers to 3000 nanometers. The second region of the absorber layer can have a thickness between 100 nanometers to 3000 nanometers. A ratio of an average atomic concentration of selenium in the first region of the absorber layer to an average atomic concentration of selenium in the second region of the absorber layer can be greater than 10.

Abstract: An adaptive electrical power distribution panel receives electrical power from at least an alternative power source other than a utility electric grid, and selectively outputs power to a plurality of branch circuits, appliances, or devices. An internal or remote controller monitors conditions. In response to the monitored conditions, the controller algorithmically divides the plurality of branch circuits, appliances, or devices into a first group to receive power from the alternative power source and a second group to not receive power from the alternative power source, and breaks electrical connections between the alternative power source and the second group. The monitored conditions may include operating parameters the grid; an instantaneous or average individual current flow; and a charge state of storage batteries. The division into groups may also be in response to stored information, such as a priority of, or history of current usage by, each branch circuit, appliance, or device.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to convert light energy to electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a semiconductor material to absorb energy from a photon. The energy is to be converted to a current. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a positive electrode disposed on a backside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the backside. In addition, the apparatus includes a via to connect the backside of the semiconductor material electrically to a frontside of the semiconductor material. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fingers disposed on the frontside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the frontside. The apparatus further includes a trunkline connected to the plurality of fingers to deliver the current to the via. The trunkline is to increase a cross-sectional area toward the via to reduce parasitic resistance.

Abstract: A system and method for array level terrain based backtracking includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with a rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information, execute a shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker; collect an angle for each tracker in a plurality of trackers in an array; adjust the first angle based on executing the shadow model with the first angle and the plurality of angles associated with the plurality of trackers; transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the adjusted first angle.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a p-type semiconductor absorber layer. A photovoltaic device may include a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a CdSeTe layer over a substrate. The process includes forming a p-type cadmium selenide telluride absorber layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is presented. The photovoltaic device includes a layer stack; and an absorber layer is disposed on the layer stack. The absorber layer comprises selenium, wherein an atomic concentration of selenium varies across a thickness of the absorber layer. The photovoltaic device is substantially free of a cadmium sulfide layer.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can have one or more cells with a conducting layer interconnect.

Abstract: A power controller system and method for monitoring available power from an input power source, such as one or more photovoltaic (“PV”) cells/panels, and controlling power output to one or more loads. A predetermined threshold input voltage value is assigned to the system. Using the predetermined value, the system determines whether there is enough available power to power the load by measuring only input voltage. In the event the input voltage is greater than the threshold voltage value, then the system delivers power to the load. In the event the load is greater than the available power, the input voltage will drop below the threshold voltage and the system stops delivering power to the load. Power to the loads may be prioritized based on available power so the system turns ON and OFF power to different loads in a particular order.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices (100) with type ll-VI semiconductor absorber materials (160) having p-type contact layers (180) are obtained by forming a ll-VI absorber layer over a substrate stack (113), wherein the type II material includes cadmium (Cd) and the type VI material includes tellurium (Te); contacting an alkaline wash fluid, comprising a hydroxide, to a second surface of the absorber layer to produce a Cd-rich surface, depositing a p-type contact layer (180) over the absorber layer (160), whereby the p-type contact layer is directly adjacent to the Cd-rich layer, and wherein the p-type contact layer comprises at least one of: PTAA, P3HT, poly-TPD, TFB, TTF-1, TF8-TAA, TIF8-TAA, SGT-407, PCDTBT, SpiroOMeTAD, anthracene-based HTM, polythiophene, semiconducting polymers, NiO, CuSCN, or Cui; and depositing a conductive layer (190) over the p-type contact layer.

Abstract: An evaporation system comprises an evaporation chamber having an interior enclosed by one or more chamber walls; an evaporation source comprising (i) a source body for containing a feedstock material, and (ii) an evaporation port fluidly coupling the source body with an interior of the evaporation chamber; an insulation material; and a computer-based controller for configuring the insulation material in (i) a first configuration in which the insulation material is disposed snugly around the source body and (ii) a second configuration in which at least a portion of the insulation material is spaced away from the source body and at least a second portion of the insulation material is disposed snugly around the source body; wherein the insulation material does not cover an opening of the evaporation port in the first configuration and the second configuration.