Abstract: Methods for forming a patterned layer from common layer in a photovoltaic application are provided. The patterned layer is configured to form one or more portions of one or more solar cells on a rigid substrate. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer. A second pass is made with a second laser beam over approximately the same area on the common layer. The first pass provides a first level of electrical isolation between a first portion and a second portion of the common layer. The second pass provides a second level of electrical isolation between the first portion and the second portion of the common layer. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than the first level of electrical isolation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.

Abstract: Methods for forming a patterned layer from common layer in a photovoltaic application are provided. The patterned layer is configured to form one or more portions of one or more solar cells on a rigid substrate. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer. A second pass is made with a second laser beam over approximately the same area on the common layer. The first pass provides a first level of electrical isolation between a first portion and a second portion of the common layer. The second pass provides a second level of electrical isolation between the first portion and the second portion of the common layer. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than the first level of electrical isolation.

Abstract: A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object.

Abstract: An assembly for producing photovoltaic electricity has an outer assembly having at least one portion transparent to light energy. The outer assembly defines an inner volume. The outer assembly can be made of a first structural member having an opening to an external environment, where the opening is defined by at least one edge. The outer assembly also has a second structural member with a recess that corresponds to the edge at the opening. In this manner the edge of the first structural member conjoins with the corresponding recess of the second structural member, and the edge is conjoined to the corresponding recess with a seal. One or more photovoltaic devices are disposed within the inner assembly volume. Each such photovoltaic device is operable to receive the light and produce photovoltaic electricity in response to it.

Abstract: Systems and materials to improve photovoltaic cell efficiency by implementing a self-cleaning function on photovoltaic cells and on albedo surfaces associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. Materials for protecting albedo surfaces that surround photovoltaic cell assemblies, thereby maximizing energy input into the photovoltaic cell assemblies, are provided. Materials for self-cleaning photovoltaic cell panels, thereby maintaining their efficiency, are provided. Portable albedo collecting devices associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided.

Abstract: Systems and materials to improve photovoltaic cell efficiency by implementing a self-cleaning function on photovoltaic cells and on albedo surfaces associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. Materials for protecting albedo surfaces that surround photovoltaic cell assemblies, thereby maximizing energy input into the photovoltaic cell assemblies, are provided. Materials for self-cleaning photovoltaic cell panels, thereby maintaining their efficiency, are provided. Portable albedo collecting devices associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided.

Abstract: In manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first chamber is provided. An opening couples the first chamber to a first environment through which at least one substrate can pass. A first seal environmentally isolates the first chamber from the first environment. A process chamber is coupled to the first chamber. Another seal environmental isolates the first and the process chambers. The substrate is placed within the first chamber, and the first chamber and the outside environment are isolated. The second opening is opened, and the substrate moves into the semiconductor process chamber. The first chamber is again environmentally isolated from the second volume. A semiconductor processing step is performed on the substrate within the processing chamber. While the substrate is processed, the substrate is rotated and translated through the processing chamber.

Abstract: A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object.

Abstract: A carrier for effectuating semiconductor processing on a non-planar substrate is disclosed. The carrier is configured for holding at least one non-planar substrate throughout a semiconductor processing step and concurrently rotating non-planar substrates as they travel down a translational path of a processing chamber. As the non-planar substrates simultaneously rotate and translate down a processing chamber, the rotation exposes the whole or any desired portion of the surface area of the non-planar substrates to the deposition process, allowing for uniform deposition as desired. Alternatively, any predetermined pattern is able to be exposed on the surface of the non-planar substrates. Such a carrier effectuates manufacture of non-planar semiconductor devices, including, but not limited to, non-planar light emitting diodes, non-planar photovoltaic cells, and the like.

Abstract: A method of depositing materials on a non-planar surface is disclosed. The method is effectuated by rotating non-planar substrates as they travel down a translational path of a processing chamber. As the non-planar substrates simultaneously rotate and translate down a processing chamber, the rotation exposes the whole or any desired portion of the surface area of the non-planar substrates to the deposition process, allowing for uniform deposition as desired. Alternatively, any predetermined pattern is able to be exposed on the surface of the non-planar substrates. Such a method effectuates manufacture of non-planar semiconductor devices, including, but not limited to, non-planar light emitting diodes, non-planar photovoltaic cells, and the like.

Abstract: A method of depositing materials on a non-planar surface is disclosed. The method is effectuated by rotating non-planar substrates as they travel down a translational path of a processing chamber. As the non-planar substrates simultaneously rotate and translate down a processing chamber, the rotation exposes the whole or any desired portion of the surface area of the non-planar substrates to the deposition process, allowing for uniform deposition as desired. Alternatively, any predetermined pattern is able to be exposed on the surface of the non-planar substrates. Such a method effectuates manufacture of non-planar semiconductor devices, including, but not limited to, non-planar light emitting diodes, non-planar photovoltaic cells, and the like.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for producing electric energy from light energy includes an elongated photovoltaic module (EPM) and a cover engageable therewith. The EPM includes at least one electrical output contact and the cover includes at least one electrical connector operable to electrically engage at least one electrical output contact(s). The cover sealingly engages the EPM around at least one of its electrical output contact(s).

Abstract: A solar assembly apparatus is provided that comprises one or more photovoltaic modules, a first end rail to which the first ends of the one or more photovoltaic modules are fixed and a first stiffening member to which the first end rail is attached. In some instances, the one or more photovoltaic modules are a plurality of electrically-interconnected elongated photovoltaic modules forming an array and each elongated photovoltaic module in the plurality of elongated photovoltaic modules is elongated along an axis and has a first end and a second end that are axially opposite each other. Furthermore, in such instances, each elongated photovoltaic module in the plurality of elongated photovoltaic modules has photovoltaic surface portions facing away from the axis in different directions to receive light to generate electricity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for assisting in retaining at least two elongated photovoltaic modules includes a carrier having at least first and second adjacent receptacles. Each receptacle is engageable with at least one elongated photovoltaic module and the carrier is moveable between the first and second receptacles.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that has photovoltaic modules and a concentrator mechanically attached to a frame. Each module has (i) an outer shell defining an inner volume, (ii) a substrate in the inner volume, and (iii) a material on the substrate that converts light to electric energy. The outer shell allows light energy that strikes the shell to be directed towards the material. The concentrator has concentrator assemblies, each associated with a respective photovoltaic module. Each concentrator assembly comprises a first and second surface that form a concave structure that transmits light energy entering the concave structure to the associated photovoltaic module. The first and second surfaces each comprise substantially the shape of the involute of the particular photovoltaic module associated with the concentrator assembly. Each photovoltaic module extends from a first to a second support of the frame and is electrically coupled to an electric contact in the first support.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprising an elongated substrate in which at least a portion of the elongated substrate is rigid is provided. One or more solar cells are disposed on the elongated substrate and each comprise: (i) a back-electrode disposed on the elongated substrate, (ii) a semiconductor junction layer disposed on all or a portion of a surface of the back-electrode, and (iii) a transparent conductive layer, having a first refractive index, is disposed on all or a portion of a surface of the semiconductor junction. The photovoltaic module further comprises a filler material, having a second refractive index that is smaller or equal in value to the first refractive index, disposed on the transparent conductive layer of the one or more solar cells. The photovoltaic module further comprises a transparent casing disposed on the filler material thereby sealing the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The tubular shaped solar cell comprises a back-electrode, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent tubular casing is circumferentially sealed onto the transparent conductive layer of the cylindrical shaped solar cell. A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell, a filler layer, and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The cylindrical shaped solar cell comprises a cylindrical substrate, a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the cylindrical substrate, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of elongated solar cells, each elongated solar cell in the plurality of elongated solar cells comprising (i) an elongated conductive core configured as a first electrode, (ii) a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the elongated conductive core, and (iii) a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. Each respective solar cell is bound to a first and second corresponding metal counter-electrode that lies in a groove running lengthwise on the respective elongated solar cell. The solar cell assembly further comprises a plurality of internal reflectors. Each respective internal reflector in the plurality of internal reflectors is configured between a first and second elongated solar cell in the plurality of elongated solar cells such that a portion of the solar light reflected from the respective internal reflector is reflected onto the corresponding first and second elongated cell.