Abstract: A tracking system configured to orient light concentrators to face a light source. The system includes a movable support structure for providing global alignment of the light concentrators with the light source. The system also includes a light concentrator (LC) module that is coupled to the support structure and has an array of light concentrators that are in fixed positions with respect to each other. The system also includes a secondary alignment mechanism having a module joint that movably couples the LC module to the support structure and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to selectively move the LC module about two axes relative to a pivot point of the module joint thereby orienting the array of light concentrators.

Abstract: A method of producing a photovoltaic device includes providing a stretchable substrate for the photovoltaic device; and stretching the substrate to produce a stretched substrate. The method further includes depositing a structure comprising hydrogenated amorphous silicon onto the stretched substrate; and subjecting the deposited hydrogenated amorphous silicon structure and the stretched substrate to a compressive force to form a compressively strained photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion device which is capable of improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter is formed by a plenum divided into high and low pressure chambers by a partition and includes a stack of series-coupled alkali-metal thermoelectric cells that projects orthogonally from the partition into one of the chambers.

Abstract: A light collection module and a solar energy device are provided. The light collection module includes a light guiding material and a solar energy receiving element. The light guiding material has a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto. The first surface includes a first light guiding structure and a second light guiding structure. The first light guiding structure includes a first light guiding surface and a first auxiliary surface connected to each other and intersected in a first angle. The second light guiding structure includes a second light guiding surface and a second auxiliary surface connected to each other and intersected in a second angle. The inclination directions of the first and the second light guiding surfaces are opposite to each other. The solar energy receiving element is disposed on the first surface or the second surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catalyst-free growth mode of defect-free Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based nanoneedles on silicon (Si) substrates with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible growth temperature of around 400° C. Each nanoneedle has a sharp 2 to 5 nanometer (nm) tip, a 600 nm wide base and a 4 micrometer (?m) length. Thus, the disclosed nanoneedles are substantially hexagonal needle-like crystal structures that assume a 6° to 9° tapered shape. The 600 nm wide base allows the typical micro-fabrication processes, such as optical lithography, to be applied. Therefore, nanoneedles are an ideal platform for the integration of optoelectronic devices on Si substrates. A nanoneedle avalanche photodiode (APD) grown on silicon is presented in this disclosure as a device application example. The APD attains a high current gain of 265 with only 8V bias.

Abstract: A solar cell with an electrode lead-out structure that a unitary cell to be easily mounted on and removed from a connection side substrate is provided. A solar cell has a power generation electrode including a transparent electrode, a collector electrode, and a power generation layer formed on a translucent substrate and is arranged opposite an opposite electrode so that the power generation layer is sandwiched between the power generation electrode and the opposite electrode. A through-hole is formed in a substantially central portion of the translucent substrate. Another through-hole is formed in another substrate and its periphery forms an annular exposed portion that does not overlap the opposite electrode. A lead-out portion for the collector electrode is formed on the exposed portion. Metal thin films are connected together to form lead-out portions. Thus, a positive electrode and a negative electrode are led out in the same direction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide electricity, heat, or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A solar cell with engineered spectral conversion elements or components includes a single crystal silicon solar cell having a back surface. At least one spectral conversion element is formed on the back surface. The conversion element includes single crystal rare earth oxide, and the single crystal rare earth oxide is crystal lattice matched to the back surface of the silicon solar cell. Material including silicon is formed on the back surface in a surrounding and embedding relationship to the at least one spectral conversion element. A back reflector is positioned on the material formed on the back surface so as to reflect light passing through the silicon formed on the back surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to generate electric power from heat. An exemplary direct thermal electric converter embodiment includes at least a first recombination material having a first recombination rate, a second recombination material adjacent to the first recombination material and having a second recombination rate, wherein the second recombination rate is different from the first recombination rate, and a third recombination material adjacent to the second recombination material and having a third recombination rate substantially the same as the first recombination rate. Application of heat generates at least first charge carriers that migrate between the first recombination material and the second recombination material, and generates at least second charge carriers that migrate between the third recombination material and the second recombination material. The migration of the first charge carriers and the migration of the second charge carriers generates an electrical current.

Abstract: As the concentration of electromagnetic radiation, especially solar radiation, can be utilized for constructive purposes it becomes desirable to concentrate the radiation in an economical manner. An essentially fixed concentrating reflector whose shape is generated by gravity's effect on flexible members provides an efficient means to collect and concentrate radiation. Historically in optical science aberrations are to be avoided or eliminated, however this device utilizes the aberration of astigmatism. By taking advantage of the astigmatic foci created by obliquely incident radiation falling upon a substantially sphere-like primary, a comparatively large fixed concentrator can be constructed inexpensively. The resulting tangential and sagittal astigmatic foci are linear. The length of the astigmatic foci can be a substantial portion of the diameter of the concentrator, especially at times of lower solar elevation.

Abstract: An interconnection sheet, a solar cell with the interconnection sheet, a solar cell module, an interconnection sheet roll, a solar cell with an interconnection sheet and solar cell module satisfy a relationship of Y?Z<X, where X represents a maximum linear distance in a first direction from a connection portion connecting a wire for n type and a first connecting wire to a connection portion connecting a wire for p type and a second connecting wire, Y represents a maximum length of an alternating array portion in the first direction, and Z represents a maximum length of the alternating array portion in a second direction.

Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic cell device is disclosed including an upper and lower cell. The lower cell may comprise a glass substrate and overlying layers that may include an electrode, absorber, window layer, and a transparent conductive oxide layer. The upper cell may comprise an intermediate glass substrate and overlying layers that may include a transparent conductor, an absorber, a window layer, a second conductive oxide layer, and an upper glass material. The cells may be coupled with an optical coupling material, and edge sealing material may be disposed between the glass substrates for both the upper and lower cells.

Abstract: In this presentation, we have shown new methods, devices, and systems, to concentrate the light for the solar cells, using refractive index variations, light funnels, liquid crystals, and other methods and materials. We have shown various methods for enhancing the solar cell efficiency. We have given many variations for each application.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for making a conjugated polymer. In the method, polyacrylonitrile, a solvent, and a catalyst are provided. The polyacrylonitrile is dissolved in the solvent to form a polyacrylonitrile solution. The catalyst is uniformly dispersed into the polyacrylonitrile solution. The polyacrylonitrile solution with the catalyst is heated to induce a cyclizing reaction of the polyacrylonitrile, thereby forming a conjugated polymer solution with the conjugated polymer dissolved therein.