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: 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: 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: 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.

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

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

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: 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: 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 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: 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.