Abstract: Yttrium oxide is used as an antireflective coating for photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is formed by applying electrical contact material through an antireflective coating on the light receiving surface of the cell by flame, arc or plasma spraying. The cell so formed has a metal contact spaced portions of which are in electrical contact with the light-receiving surface of the cell.

Abstract: A solar collector device such as a solar receiver or solar panel, the device including a substrate comprising a base member having a major surface including a plurality of generally planar platform areas, each platform area being in a different plane than adjacent platform areas, and at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on each of the platform areas, a portion of each of the cells extending beyond the platform area upon which it is mounted. The collector device tends to maximize the utilization of light received by the device.

Abstract: A semicrystalline silicon solar energy cell formed from individual grains of silicon having portions thereof at the light-receiving surface of the cell. An electrical junction is formed at said light-receiving surface and extends across and below that surface and into and between the boundaries of adjoining grains to an extent such that the total junction area substantially exceeds the product of the linear dimensions of the wafer surface but does not extend completely around the boundaries of the silicon grains or to the opposed surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A method for use in making semiconductor type electrical devices such as solar cells. In the method, a wafer of semiconductor material having two major surfaces is provided, the wafer being doped with an impurity of one conductivity type. A layer of a metal-containing compositions such as aluminum, is placed on one of the major surfaces of the wafer, and the wafer is then heated in the presence of an impurity of the opposite conductivity type to a temperature such that a high-low junction is formed by the metal at one major surface while the impurity of the opposite conductivity type diffuses or penetrates the other major surface to form a p-n junction thereat.

Abstract: A tantalum oxide antireflective coating is applied to a surface of a solar energy cell by depositing a layer of a suboxide of tantalum on the surface and then oxidizing the layer to an oxide approaching Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5.

Abstract: A semicrystalline silicon solar energy cell formed from individual grains of silicon having portions thereof at the light-receiving surface of the cell. An electrical junction is formed at said light-receiving surface and extends across and below that surface and into and between the boundaries of adjoining grains to an extent such that the total junction area substantially exceeds the product of the linear dimensions of the wafer surface but does not extend completely around the boundaries of the silicon grains or to the opposed surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated photovoltaic generator containing a plurality of photovoltaic cells, the generator capable of producing a voltage greater than that generated by a single photovoltaic cell of comparable chemical composition. The generator comprises a wafer of semiconductor material having two major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces including a plurality of discrete areas containing an impurity of one type of conductivity, at least the portion of the remainder of the wafer contiguous to the areas containing an impurity of an opposite conductivity type, and electrical conductor means between at least one area and the portion of the wafer containing the impurity of the opposite conductivity type.

Abstract: A silicon solar energy cell having a substantially constant voltage despite significant increases in illumination, which cell has a back surface junction that is discontinuous and has spaced, shorted portions formed therein.

Abstract: A silicon solar energy cell having an antireflective coating on its light impinging surface. The coating consists essentially of a suboxide of tantalum having the generic formula Ta.sub.2 O.sub.y, in which y is a number between about 2.5 and 4.8 on an atomic ratio basis.

Abstract: A hybrid solar energy collecting device adapted to generate an electrical current from sunlight and also to collect in an electrically insulating fluid thermal energy generated by such cells. The solar energy collecting device comprises a duct adapted for guiding the flow of an electrically insulating fluid such as air, and one or more photovoltaic cells mounted on an electrically insulated portion of the exterior surface of the duct. At least one of the photovoltaic cells has a heat sink which extends into the interior of the duct and is adapted to be contacted by the electrically insulating fluid.

Abstract: Plating electrical contacts onto one or more surfaces of a solar cell having an electrical junction therein is accomplished by immersing the cell in an electrolyte and exposing it to light so that platable ions in the electrolyte will be attracted to an oppositely charged surface of the cell.

Abstract: A solar panel is formed with a frame defining channels adapted to receive and retain a solid body of resin therein. The body of resin forms a matrix that encapsulates photovoltaic cells. Part of the frame may be disassembled to permit the matrix to be inserted into or removed from the channels.

Abstract: A silicon solar energy cell producing electricity at substantially constant voltage despite significant increases in illumination, in which the back surface junction of the cell is formed by alloying with gallium.

Abstract: A solar panel including photovoltaic cells encapsulated in a silicone resin, in which the base member to which the silicone resin adheres is a glass mat polyester in laminate or molded form.

Abstract: A method to manufacture thin film solar cell in which a solar cell to convert directly light to electricity is formed by depositing silicon material on a carrier substrate having a coating which is liquid on the deposition temperature. An article manufactured according to this method. A machine for the manufacture of thin film solar cells.

Abstract: A silicon solar energy cell having a diffusant junction extending inwardly from one surface, an aluminum-silicon junction of the opposite polarity extending inwardly from the other surface, and a film of aluminum-oxygen-diffusant formed over the aluminum-silicon junction. The structure is formed by diffusing an unprotected wafer, coating the diffusant glass so formed on one side of the wafer with aluminum, and heating the wafer.

Abstract: A solar panel having solar cells adhered to the base surface thereof by a single component, room temperature vulcanizing silicone resin and encapsulated in a multicomponent silicone resin with desirable optical properties.

Abstract: A solar panel including photovoltaic cell encapsulated in a silicone resin, in which the base member to which the silicone resin adheres is a glass mat polyester in laminate or molded form.