Abstract: According to embodiments provided herein, the performance of photovoltaic device can be improved by rapidly heating an absorber layer of a device in open-circuit to a high temperature for a short period of time followed by rapid quenching. The rapid heating may be accomplished by one or more pulses of high intensity electromagnetic energy. The energy may be visible light. The energy may be absorbed primarily in the absorber layer, such that the absorber layer is preferentially heated, promoting chemical reactions of dopant complexes. The dopant chemical reactions disrupt compensating defect complexes that have formed in the device, and regenerate active carriers.

Abstract: Solar cell stack-ups are described in which fullerene based transport layers are blended with a metal halide such as LiF, CsF or MgF2. In particular, perovskite solar cell stack-ups are described in which an electron transport layer includes a metal halide and fullerene blend.

Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for facet-selective passivation on each crystal facet of colloidal nanocrystals via solution-phase ligand exchange process, thereby providing highly-passivated and colloidally-stable nanocrystal inks. This ligand exchange strategy separately addresses polar and non-polar facets precluding from deleterious nanocrystal aggregation in the colloid. The method involves the introduction of alkali metal organic complexes during metal halide conventional solution exchanges, and one specific example is Na+·Ac?. Alkali metal ions stabilize and passivate non polar facets whereas polar facets are passivated through metal halides. This strategy leads to a significant decrease in nanocrystal aggregation during and after ligand exchange, and to improved photophysical properties stemming from this. The resulting nanocrystal solid films exhibit improved stability, retain their absorption features, and have a minimized Stokes shift.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having transparent contact layers are described herein.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A dual axis solar array tracker for supporting a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements at a plurality of solar collector nodes. Two perpendicular axes of movement, specifically a rotation axis at a rotatable transverse beam and a tilt axis relative to the axis of the transverse beam, enable accurate orientation in a stable configuration. The dual axis design of the solar tracker enables the movement of solar collectors such that they can be directed towards the sun wherein incoming solar rays are perpendicular to the solar cell element of the solar collector to optimize collection of solar radiation. The present solar tracker array also enables integrated solar, electrical and/or thermal energy cogeneration.

Abstract: The backpack may include a removable solar panel, a transparent film to protect the solar panel, a mesh pocket or a connector outside of the pocket. The backpack may comprise a compartment; a removable solar panel configured to be removably inserted into the compartment; a handle interfacing with the removable solar panel; one or more magnets associated with the removable solar panel, wherein the one or more magnets are configured to align the removable solar panel in the compartment; a transparent film over the compartment, wherein the transparent film is configured to protect the removable solar panel while in the compartment; and a removable panel over the transparent film, wherein the removable panel is configured to protect the transparent film and the removable solar panel while in the compartment.

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: Automated three-dimensional (3D) building model estimation is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining, using one or more processors, an aerial image of a building based on an input address; obtaining, using the one or more processors, three-dimensional (3D) data containing the building based on the input address; pre-processing the aerial image and 3D data; reconstructing, using the one or more processors, a 3D building model from the pre-processed image and 3D data, the reconstructing including: predicting, using instance segmentation, a mask for each roof face; converting each roof face into a two-dimensional (2D) polygon; and projecting each 2D polygon into a 3D polygon representing the 3D building model.

Abstract: A system including 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 the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.

Abstract: Described herein is a process and system for constructing three-dimensional (3D) representations of roof structures. The system can create representations of roof structures of arbitrary complexity and can create representations of dependent roof structures such as dormers. The system can create representations of roof structures that conventional methods cannot create, such as roofs with edges that are not coplanar, roofs with faces that do not connect to exterior edges, roofs composed of sub-structures, or roofs with dependent structures such as dormers.

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: A module frame includes a body having an interior surface, a lower flange extending from the interior surface of the body, and a cable management flange extending from the interior surface of the body. The lower flange and the cable management flange each include a distal end. The cable management flange and the lower flange define a cable cavity therebetween for retaining at least one cable. The distal ends of the lower flange and the cable management flange define an opening for inserting the cable into the cable cavity. The cable management flange is arranged to engage the cable and secure the cable in the cable cavity.

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: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to photo voltaic module enhanced light. In particular, the present invention relates to glass-glass and back contact photo photovoltaic modules with enhanced conversion efficiency in areas that are not usually active.