Abstract: A solar cell module includes a substrate, and first and second cells connected in series. The first and second cells each include a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a second electrode stacked in this order on the substrate. The first semiconductor layer contains an oxide of a first metal and includes first and second portions. A groove separates the second semiconductor layers of the first and second cells. The groove and the first portion entirely overlap each other in a plan view. The first portion contains a second metal different from the first metal. A ratio of a number of atoms of the second metal to a number of atoms of all metals in the first portion is grater than a ratio of a number of atoms of the second metal to a number of atoms of all metals in the second portion.

Abstract: A solar cell module is discussed, and the solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including an electron current collector and an hole current collector on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate and a connection member for connecting an electron current collector of one of two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells to a hole current collector of the other of the two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells. The connection member includes a printed circuit film including an insulating film and a conductive pattern disposed on the insulating film and a conductive adhesive for attaching the conductive pattern to the electron current collector and the hole current collector.

Abstract: Disclosed are a connector and a solar cell module including the same. The connector includes a body, and a connecting part received in the body. The connecting part is movably provided at an inside of the body and an outside of the body. The solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cell modules, a cable to connect the solar cell modules to each other, and a connector at an end portion of the cable. The connector includes a body, and a connecting part received in the body. The connecting part is movably provided at an inside of the body and an outside of the body. The solar cell module includes a first solar cell module including a first cable and a first connector, and a second solar cell module including a second cable and a second connector. The first connector includes a first body, a first connecting part received in the first body, a first fixing part, and a first-first groove and a first-second groove provided in the first connecting part.

Abstract: Functional yarn equipped with semiconductor functional elements includes: a plurality of semiconductor functional elements whose electrically conductive directions defined by positive and negative electrodes are aligned and disposed between a pair of conducting wires in which each of the positive electrodes being connected to the conducting wire and each of the negative electrodes being connected to the conducting wire; an element mounting region consisting of conducting wire portions on which a plurality of the semiconductor functional elements are disposed; a conducting wire region consisting of only conducting wire portions and an insulating member that covers the surface of at least one of the pair of conducting wire portions of the conducting wire region.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed in an array in which each cell is adjacent to another cell. Each of the cells includes first and second photovoltaic modules. The first photovoltaic module of each cell is configured to convert a first part of light energy incident thereon into electrical energy and to reflect to the second photovoltaic module of an adjacent cell at least some of a remaining portion of light energy incident thereon. The second photovoltaic module of each cell is configured to convert into electrical energy the remaining portion of the light energy received from the first photovoltaic module of an adjacent cell.

Abstract: A roof-mounted solar power system for generating electrical power that includes a plurality of solar modules adapted for generating electrical power from sunlight, and with each of the plurality of solar modules having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring. The plurality of solar modules are mounted on the deck of a roof to form a bank of solar modules having at least one irregular edge. The solar power system further includes one or more non-power generating edge treatments having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring as the solar modules and that are adapted for installation along the irregular edge. Each edge treatment is adapted for a cutting away of at least one corner thereof to smooth the irregular edge of the bank of solar modules to a regular edge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning solar energy collection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated unit combines the necessity of solar panel repositioning with water filtration. While also providing clean water for the end user, the integrated unit uses controlled weight displacement to rotate a solar panel to follow the sun from east to west—a process also known as horizontal (azimuth) solar tracking.

Abstract: A back contact type solar battery which provides a reduced electric power loss, free positioning of a bus bar, and a simple manufacturing process. The solar battery includes: semiconductor substrate; first conductivity type region formed on back surface side located on the opposite side of acceptance surface side of the semiconductor substrate; second conductivity type region formed on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate; first conductivity type collecting electrode linearly formed on the first conductivity type region; and second conductivity type collecting electrode linearly formed on the second conductivity type region. The first and second conductivity type regions are alternately arranged. Each of the first and second conductivity type collecting electrodes has discontinuous places. The discontinuous places of each conductivity type are substantially aligned on straight line in arrangement direction in which the first and second conductivity type regions are alternately arranged.

Abstract: A solar cell according to the embodiment includes a support substrate; a back electrode layer on the support substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; a front electrode layer on the buffer layer; a connecting member passing through the buffer layer to electrically connect the back electrode layer to the front electrode layer; and a side insulating part on one of side surfaces of the connecting member, wherein the side insulating part makes direct contact with a portion of the buffer layer, the back electrode layer and the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and methods for optimizing the harvesting of solar energy are disclosed. A photovoltaic (PV) system includes: a solar panel module. The solar panel module comprises: a plurality of solar cell arrays, wherein each array comprises a grouping of solar cells; and a tubular panel. The plurality of solar cell arrays are arranged along an inside surface of the panel. At least an upper portion of the panel slopes inward such that the panel has a substantially funnel-shaped geometry. The solar cell arrays are arranged in a C-ring pattern. A first solar cell array is separated from a second solar cell array by a predetermined distance. The area between the solar cell arrays is coated with a reflective material to facilitate optimal reflection of incident sunlight back to the solar cells. Recycling of incident light is facilitated within the tube. The light can be intermittently or continuously recycled.

Abstract: Tensioned sheet-metal based solar panels and structures for supporting the same are disclosed. The sheet metal based solar panels can include a flexible photovoltaic solar module laminated onto a thin, flexible metal sheet. Such solar panels can be mounted on and tensioned within a support frame that is twisted out of plane with respect to a reference planar datum surface. The resulting surface can be a hyperbolic paraboloid, which can be aesthetically pleasing while improving structural stability and maximizing angular exposure to the sun.

Abstract: The one or more embodiments of the present invention propose a novel photovoltaic system. The system can include a housing and at least one layer of photovoltaic panels inside the housing. Photovoltaic cells can be arranged on the panel. Light is reflected in many ways and recycled within the housing either continuously or intermittently. This can reduce the loss of light energy back into the atmosphere due to reflections from the panel and can also improve the working efficiency of the photovoltaic cells by creating multiple passes for the light either continuously or intermittently.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed.

Abstract: Solar cell structures including multiple sub-cells that incorporate different materials that may have different lattice constants. In some embodiments, solar cell devices include several photovoltaic junctions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell apparatus and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell apparatus includes a substrate, a first electrode layer on the substrate, a plurality of light absorbing columns on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the light absorbing columns.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell includes a first back electrode layer on a support substrate; a second back electrode layer on the first back electrode layer; a light absorbing layer on the second back electrode layer; and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer.

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.

Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency. The solar cell module may comprise for example a series connected string of N greater than or equal to 25 rectangular or substantially rectangular solar cells having on average a breakdown voltage greater than about 10 volts, with the solar cells grouped into one or more super cells each of which comprises two or more of the solar cells arranged in line with long sides of adjacent solar cells overlapping and conductively bonded to each other, and with no single solar cell or group of <N solar cells in the string of solar cells individually electrically connected in parallel with a bypass diode.

Abstract: A solar cell according to the embodiment includes a back electrode layer on a support substrate; a first through hole dividing the back electrode layer into a plurality of back electrodes; a first contact pattern in the back electrode layer; a light absorbing layer formed on the back electrode layer and including a second contact pattern on the first contact pattern; and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a thermoelectric module with multiple thermoelectric elements, which are arranged spaced apart from one another, two thermoelectric elements being respectively electrically connected by means of a conductor bridge, an electrical insulation being arranged at least in certain portions on a side of the conductor bridge that is facing away from the thermoelectric element and/or on a side of the conductor bridge that is facing the thermoelectric element, the electrical insulation being arranged on the surface of the conductor bridge, the electrical insulation and the conductor bridge being thermomechanically decoupled.