Abstract: A photovoltaic device including at least one active layer and a transparent cover plate which contains on at least one side an array of geometrical optical relief structures and which is in optical contact with a surface receiving side of the at least one active layer of a photovoltaic device, characterized in that the optical relief structures include a base and a single apex which are connected by at least three n-polygonal surfaces where n is equal to 4 or higher.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type having at least one via hole, an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type on the substrate, a first conductor electrically connected to the emitter layer, a second conductor electrically connected to the first conductor through the via hole, and a third conductor electrically connected to the substrate. The third conductor is electrically separated from the second conductor. A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are positioned inside the via hole.

Abstract: A light energy conversion material that includes a porous material including an electron donor in a skeleton thereof; and an electron acceptor disposed in at least one portion among a pore, the skeleton and the outer circumference of the porous material.

Abstract: Cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic devices are generally described. The device can include a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate. A plurality of metal gridlines can directly contact the transparent conductive oxide layer, and can be oriented in a first direction. A cadmium sulfide layer can be included on the transparent conductive oxide layer, and a cadmium telluride layer can be included on the cadmium sulfide layer. A plurality of scribe lines can be defined through the thickness of the cadmium sulfide layer and the cadmium telluride layer to define a plurality of photovoltaic cells such that the plurality of scribe lines are oriented in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.

Abstract: A solar concentrator includes a plurality of separate panels positioned between opposed support rods. Tension elements extend between the support rods and mount the plurality of panels.

Abstract: First and second conductive members having different Seebeck coefficients are formed on an insulating substrate. The first and second conductive members are connected by ohmic contact, and the surfaces connected by ohmic contact are covered with a material sheet having a superior heat conductivity and an electric insulating property in the junction surface, such as an aluminum sheet formed with surfaces provided with electric insulating property by alumite treatment or the like. On the opposite side, bonding wires are connected with the first and second conductive members by ohmic contact. The bonding wires are insulated from one another, and used as output terminals of an integrated parallel Peltier Seebeck element chip. The thus produced integrated parallel Peltier Seebeck element chips are connected by one or more serial or parallel cables, to form energy conversion apparatus from electricity to heat and thermal energy transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflection coating using a sol-gel process, for use in a photovoltaic device or the like. The method may include the following steps in certain example embodiments: forming a polymeric component of silica by mixing silane(s) with one or more of a first solvent, a catalyst, and water; forming a silica sol gel by mixing the polymeric component with a colloidal silica, and optionally a second solvent; forming a combined sol by mixing siloxane(s) with the silica sol; casting the mixture by spin coating or the like to form a silica and siloxane containing layer on a substrate; and curing and/or heat treating the layer. This layer may make up all or only part of an anti-reflection coating which may be used in a photovoltaic device or the like.

Abstract: An active material assembly is provided having a thermally-activated active material apparatus with an elongated, non-planar shape and a thermoelectric device in thermal contact therewith. The thermoelectric device is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows through the device to activate the thermally-activated active material apparatus, thereby altering at least one dimension thereof. Multiple discrete thermoelectric devices may be in thermal contact with the active material apparatus and electrically in parallel with one another. The active material apparatus, which may be multiple active material components, each with one of the thermoelectric devices thereon, may be encased within a flexible electronic-insulating material to form an articulated active material assembly that can achieve different geometric shapes by separately activating one or more of the different thermoelectric devices. A method of fabricating an articulated active material assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught.

Abstract: A solar cell module and a method for the production thereof, are used in particular in the field of concentrating solar technology. The solar cell module has a large number of two-dimensionally disposed solar cells. These solar cells are applied on a substrate which is coated with a metal layer on the surface orientated towards the solar cells. The metal layer is thereby structured in such a manner that it is subdivided into individual two-dimensional portions which are assigned respectively to one solar cell. The metal layer in each of the portions has two regions which are electrically insulated from each other, the first region extending under the assigned solar cell and contacting the latter in an electrically conductive manner. The second region is likewise connected to the other electrical contact of the solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar cell having a multi-layered structure that is used to generate, transport, and collect electric charges. The multi-layered nanostructure comprises a cathode, a conducting metal layer, a photo-active layer, a hole-transport layer, and an anode. The photo-active layer comprises a tree-like nanostructure array and a conjugate polymer filler. The tree-like nanostructure array is used as an electron acceptor while the conjugate polymer filler is as an electron donor. The tree-like nanostructure array comprises a trunk part and a branch part. The trunk part is formed in-situ on the surface of the conducting metal layer and is used to provide a long straight transport pathway to transport electrons. The large contact area between the branch part and the conjugate polymer filler provides electron-hole separation.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system and components includes a vacuum and an air compressor. The system includes a plurality of flexible units each having a backing portion and a solar cell portion upwardly adjacent and coupled to the backing portion. Each backing portion includes adhesive and at least one channel in the adhesive. Each channel is configured for communication with the vacuum to withdraw air from the channel when the adhesive is initially coupled to a structure and for communication with an air compressor to provide air to the channel to separate the adhesive from the structure. Each solar cell portion has an electricity generating element. The structure for coupling units transfers electricity between units. Each unit has an electricity outlet for passing electricity generated by at least one generating element for storage or use.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing solar-electrical generators are discussed. Solar-electrical generators are disclosed having a radiation-capture structure and one or more thermoelectric converters. Heat produced in a capture structure via impingement of solar radiation can maintain a portion of a thermoelectric converter at a high temperature, while the use of a low temperature at another portion allows electricity generation. Thus, unlike photovoltaic cells which are generally primarily concerned with optical radiation management, solar thermoelectrics converters are generally concerned with a variety of mechanisms for heat management. Generators can include any number of features including selective radiation surfaces, low emissivity surfaces, flat panel configurations, evacuated environments, and other concepts that can act to provide thermal concentration. Designs utilizing one or more optical concentrators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device are generally disclosed. The method can include sputtering a resistive transparent layer on a transparent conductive oxide layer from an alloy target including zinc from about 5% by weight and about 33% by weight and tin. The method can also include forming a cadmium sulfide layer on the resistive transparent layer, forming a cadmium telluride layer on the cadmium sulfide layer, and forming a back contact layer on the cadmium telluride layer. Cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic devices are also generally disclosed including a resistive transparent layer having a mixture of zinc oxide and tin oxide having a zinc oxide concentration between about 5% and about 33% by mole fraction.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion device comprises a vertical stack of at least two panels stacked in a hierarchy from an upper panel to a lower panel with each of the panels including a matching array of solar cells having a different energy bandgap from other panels of solar cells in the vertical stack of panels. Each panel in the vertical stack may be arranged with one of the panels having solar cells with a higher energy bandgap situated in the hierarchy and in the stack above others of the panels containing solar cells with a lower energy bandgap. The top surface of the device is adapted for receiving solar energy incident upon the uppermost panel. Each upper panel absorbs a fraction of sunlight with larger solar photon energies larger than the energy bandgap thereof and transmits solar photons with photon energies less than larger solar photon energies to a remaining one of the panels lower in the hierarchy and positioned lower in the stack.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar cell which can enhance the absorption of the short-wavelength range radiation ?<400 nm of the sun and re-radiate in the wavelength range ?=500˜780 nm to enhance the solar cell's capability in absorbing more long-wavelength radiation and form separate electron-hole pairs so as to increase the output power of the solar cell assembly. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a transparent light conversion film for solar cells.

Abstract: The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught.

Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a matrix of a photosensitive material including one or more layers. A combination of innovative structural aspects of the hybrid photovoltaic device results in significant improvements in collection of incident light from the solar spectrum, better absorption of light, and better collection of the photo-carriers generated in response to the incident light, thereby improving efficiency of the hybrid photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including an active layer of an amorphous material in which the active layer is in the shape of an array of defined and repeating geometrical structures, wherein the geometrical structures include a base and a single apex that are connected by at least three n-polygonal surfaces where n is equal to 4 or higher.

Abstract: A near-field energy conversion structure and method of assembling the same, utilizing a sub-micrometer “near field” gap between juxtaposed photocell infrared radiation receiver and heat emitter surfaces, wherein compliant membrane structures, preferably fluid-filled, are interposed in the structure.