Abstract: A polymeric linking agent enables the manufacture of photovoltaic cells on flexible substrates, including, for example, polymeric substrates. Photovoltaic cells may be fabricated by a relatively simple continuous manufacturing process, for example, a roll-to-roll process, instead of a batch process.

Abstract: In a solar module (1) comprising a plurality of individual solar cells (2) connected together electrically in series, with at least one solar cell (5, 6) exposed to the same conditions and not linked to the other solar cells, which serves as sensor of the instantaneous incident light on the solar module and with a switching device (8) able to be slaved at least indirectly to the sensor so as to act on the output electric power of the solar module, according to the invention, at least two solar cells (5, 6), which are disposed a large distance apart, are provided as sensors whose output voltages or currents are conveyed to an evaluation circuit (7) and are compared with one another by the latter, and the evaluation circuit (7) connects by means of the switching device (8) a shunt which bypasses the series circuit of the solar cells (2) of the solar module (1) when a difference which exceeds a threshold value exists between the outputs of the two sensors.

Abstract: Nano-architected/assembled solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The solar cells comprise oriented arrays of nanostructures wherein two or more different materials are regularly arrayed and wherein the presence of two different materials alternates. The two or more materials have different electron affinities. The two materials may be in the form of matrixed arrays of nanostructures. The presence of the two different materials may alternate within distances of between about 1 nm and about 100 nm. An orientation can be imposed on the array, e.g. through solution deposition surfactant templation or other methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a nanocrystalline layer of Cu2O in the construction of photovoltaic cells to increase the ability of the photovoltaic cells to utilize UV radiations for photocurrent generation.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a first substrate having on its surface a first electrode layer having on its surface a semiconductor film on which a photosensitizer is adsorbed, and a second substrate having on its surface a second electrode layer. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the first electrode layer overlaid with the semiconductor film and the second electrode layer are opposite each other with an electrolyte disposed therebetween. Spacer particles are interposed between the semiconductor film and the second electrode layer, and at least one of the electrode-layer-having substrates is transparent. A coating liquid for forming the semiconductor film includes both a component for forming the semiconductor film as well as the spacer particles, dispersed in a dispersion medium.

Abstract: A solar cell with buried contacts in recesses (7) on a first surface (2). On a lateral face (4), a metal layer (12) is produced. The metal layer (12) extends into a lateral zone (9) of a second surface (3) opposite the first surface (2). The metal layer serves as a first electrode (14). On the second surface (3) a second electrode (15), electrically separate from the first electrode (14), is produced so that the solar cell is provided with a back connection.

Abstract: The invention is aimed to prevent that fall of characteristic of a solar battery and producing yield caused by particles of powder condition generating from working part at laser beam process in the method producing the solar battery by laser beam process. The constitution of the invention is characterized by comprising: a first step forming the lower electrode and the semiconductor layer on the insulating substrate by laminating; a second step forming a protective film on surface of the semiconductor; a third step forming an opening portion at the semiconductor layer, or the semiconductor layer and the lower electrode by laser beam process after the second step; and a fourth step removing the protective film.

Abstract: A machine for the automated assembly of wafers such as solar cells into strings, comprising a control system, a cell loader with wafer inspection station, a cell tab loader, a string assembly station, and a platen with adjacent pairs of individual cell, opposing edge grippers having multiple sets of vertically operable pincer action fingers for holding cells in string alignment during soldering. The string assembly station has a cooperating cell support and tab tail support mechanism providing for a tab tail hand off from one to the other with a platen indexing movements of cell pitch distance. The platen moves from the string assembly station through a soldering station consisting of a preheat, soldering, and cooling zones spaced a cell pitch distance apart. A string unloader moves completed strings through a string inspection station placing strings in a good or bad string holding area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis-based method of screening complex materials for any unidentified affinity ligand that binds to a target of interest. The method subjects a plug of a mixture of the target and a complex material sample, and a separate plug of a known, tight-binding competitive ligand, to capillary electrophoresis under conditions optimized to allow mingling of the two plugs during the capillary electrophoresis run. Preferably, migration of the competitive ligand is tracked.

Abstract: A stacked photovoltaic device comprises at least three p-i-n junction constituent devices superposed in layers, each having a p-type layer, an i-type layer and an n-type layer which are formed of silicon non-single crystal semiconductors. An amorphous silicon layer is used as the i-type layer of a first p-i-n junction, a microcrystalline silicon layer is used as the i-type layer of a second p-i-n junction and a microcrystalline silicon layer is used as the i-type layer of a third p-i-n junction, the first to third layers being in order from the light incident side. In this way, a stacked photovoltaic device can be provided which is practical and low-cost and yet has high reliability and high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method for powering a vehicle comprises, in one embodiment, receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from a roadway surface, and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle. In another embodiment, a method for powering a vehicle comprises: insulating a first region of a road's surface with a material that transmits visible light but blocks infrared radiation, while leaving a second region of the surface uninsulated; conducting heat from portions of the road beneath the first region, to the second region; receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from the second region; and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle.

Abstract: A condensation panel to be used for harvesting water from atmospheric moisture during those times of the diurnal cycle when relative humidity is at or near 100% utilizes very localized cooling to optimize condensation on a surface whose materials promote the condensation and collection of the water. The panel is passive in the sense that it can be deployed and left in an unmaintained condition for considerable periods of time. At least one time each day, almost certainly in the morning, water harvested by the process of assisted condensation can be collected for use.

Abstract: A stacked photoelectric conversion device comprising at least two photoelectric conversion element layers sandwiched between a first electrode layer and a light receiving second electrode layer, and at least one intermediate layer sandwiched between any two of said at least two photoelectric conversion element layers, wherein the intermediate layer has uneven surfaces on a light receiving side and a light outgoing side, the uneven surface on the latter having a greater average level difference than that on the former.

Abstract: In a thin film solar battery module, a flat glass substrate with non-monocrystal silicon type thin film solar cells formed thereon, a space layer, and a chilled figured glass are sequentially stacked in this order. The chilled figured glass has fine unevenness on at least its incident side surface to achieve an anti-glare effect.

Abstract: The present invention aims at developing a low-cost photoelectric conversion device having favorable conversion efficiency and a solar cell and, accordingly, relates to a photoelectric conversion device of a semiconductor fine particles, being sensitized with an organic dye, which adsorbs thereon a specified azo dye expressed by the general formula 1: wherein Ar 1 represents an aromatic group having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphoric acid ester group and a mercapto group either directly or via a cross-linking group; and Ar 2 represents an aromatic group having at least one electron-donating group as a substituent, and also to a solar cell using the photoelectric conversion device.

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell including a transparent electrode layer, a semiconductor photovoltaic conversion layer, a rear transparent electrode layer and a rear reflective metal layer, said layers being formed in this order on a transparent substrate, wherein the rear transparent electrode has a two-layer structure of an ITO or ZnO:Ga layer and a ZnO:Al layer formed in this order on the semiconductor photovoltaic conversion layer.

Abstract: A solar cell structural body having a solar cell arranged on a concrete retaining body comprising a concrete prepared from a mixture comprising at least a cement, water and an aggregate, such that part of a conductor portion of the solar cell contacts the concrete retaining body. The concrete has a resistivity in a range of from 9×103 to 120×103 &OHgr;·cm. A solar cell array in which the solar cell structural body is used, and a sunlight power generation system in which the solar cell structural body is used.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a concentrating solar energy receiver comprising a primary parabolic reflector having a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of the reflector and having a focal axis extending from the concave side of the reflector and passing through a focal point of the primary parabolic reflector; and a conversion module having a reception surface wherein the reception surface is spaced from the focal point by a predetermined distance and disposed to receive a predetermined cross section of radiant solar energy reflected from the concave side of the primary parabolic reflector for conversion to electrical energy in the conversion module. In one aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface comprising a planar array of at least one photovoltaic solar cell. In another aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface coupled to a thermal cycle engine. The mechanical output of the thermal cycle engine drives an electric generator.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is described, having a photoactive layer (4) made of two molecular components, namely an electron donor and an electron acceptor, particularly a conjugated polymer component and a fullerene component, and having two metallic electrodes (2, 6) provided on both sides of the photoactive layer (4). In order to provide advantageous construction conditions, it is suggested that an intermediate layer (5) made of a conjugated polymer, which has doping corresponding to the electrode potential and, in regard to the electron energy, has a band gap between the valence band and the conduction band of at least 1.8 eV, be provided between the photoactive layer (4) and at least one electrode (2,6).

Abstract: A device intended to be used as a shade, awning, blind and swimming pool cover includes a photocurrent-generating fabric and a support for winding and storing the fabric. The support is formed by an axisymetric tube of regular polygonal cross-section around the periphery of which the fabric is wound. The photo current-generating fabric includes a layer of interconnected photovoltaic cells.