Abstract: A photovoltaic module may include a plurality of photovoltaic shingles disposed on and electrically interconnected by an integrated backsheet, to which are attached a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors. A plurality of photovoltaic shingles may be installed upon a roof and electrically interconnected in a single step by aligning openings in the shingles with apertures in the backsheet, simplifying module installation. The photovoltaic module may mimic the appearance of asphalt shingles and may be integrated within a roof of a house or other structure. Photovoltaic shingles or arrays of photovoltaic shingles can be pre-manufactured for easier installation or constructed at the application site.

Abstract: A solar panel support unit of an embodiment includes a first support member, a second support member, and a third support member. The first support member includes a first support section and a first attachment section. The first attachment section is disposed at a position spaced by a first distance from the first support section. The second support member includes a second support section and a second attachment section. The second attachment section is disposed at a position spaced by a second distance from the second support section in the panel thickness direction, the second distance being smaller than the first distance, the second attachment section having a second hole to be in communication with the first hole, the second attachment section being to overlap the first attachment section. The third support member includes a third support section and a third attachment section.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device and method of producing the same. The optoelectronic device comprising a substrate having a first and a second substantially planar face and an aperture therein, the aperture passing through and penetrating the first and second substantially planar faces of the substrate. The aperture has a first and a second face defining a space therebetween. The space is at least partially filled with a first semiconductor material, the first face is coated with a conductor material and the second face is coated with a second semiconductor material.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes: an element substrate having a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer being provided above the first electrode and performing charge separation by energy of irradiated light, and the second electrode being provided above the photoelectric conversion layer; a counter substrate facing the element substrate; and a sealing layer provided between the element substrate and the counter substrate. The element substrate, the counter substrate, and the sealing layer define a sealing region sealing the photoelectric conversion layer. The element substrate further has: an impurity detection layer in contact with the second electrode inside the sealing region and causing chemical reaction with an impurity containing at least one of oxygen and water; and a third electrode in contact with the impurity detection layer and extending to the outside of the sealing region.

Abstract: In order to further improve the spin-current/electric-current conversion efficiency in a spin-current thermoelectric conversion element, a thermoelectric conversion element includes a magnetic material layer having in-plane magnetization; and an electromotive material layer magnetically coupled with the magnetic material layer. The electromotive material layer includes a first conductor with a spin orbit coupling arising, and a second conductor having lower electric conductivity than electric conductivity of the first conductor.

Abstract: An activation apparatus of a fuel cell stack includes an output cable connecting unit mounted on the frame and connecting a positive output cable of an electric load system to a positive output terminal at one side of the fuel cell stack. A fluid supply pipe connecting unit is mounted on the frame to reciprocate forward and backward with respect to another side of the fuel cell stack. The fluid supply pipe connecting unit connects a negative output cable of the electric load system to a negative output terminal at the other side of the fuel cell stack and connects a fluid supply pipe of a fluid supply system to a manifold of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a silicon semiconductor substrate having a first conductive type; a oxide layer on a first surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate; a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer and having the first conductive type; an emitter region at a second surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate opposite to the first surface and having a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type; a first passivation film on the polysilicon layer; a first electrode connected to the polysilicon layer through an opening formed in the first passivation film; a second passivation film on the emitter region; and a second electrode connected to the emitter region through an opening formed in the second passivation film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic device and a method for forming the photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device comprises a first solar cell structure having a photon absorbing layer comprising an organic material having a first bandgap; and a second solar cell structure having a photon absorbing layer comprising a material that has a Perovskite structure and having a second bandgap. The first and second solar cell structures are positioned at least partially onto each other.

Abstract: Flexible interconnects for attaching overlapping strings that can be part of a photovoltaic module. The interconnects can absorb strain caused by non-uniform heating and other loads encountered by the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) and design method comprising at least three monolithically-interconnected cells (104, 106, 108) where at least one monolithically-interconnecting line (250) depicts a spatial periodic or quasi-periodic wave and wherein the optoelectronic surface of said thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) presents at least one set of at least three zones (210, 220, 230) having curves of substantially parallel monolithic interconnect lines. Border zones (210, 230) have a lower front-contact sheet resistance than that of internal zone (220). Said curves of substantially parallel interconnecting lines may comprise peaks of triangular or rounded shape, additional spatial periods that are smaller than a baseline period, and mappings from one curve to the adjacent curve such as in the case of non-rectangular module devices (100).

Abstract: A photovoltaic device cell comprising a first light transmissive electrical contact, an active region, a second light transmissive electrical contact, and a layered structure enclosing the active region, the layered structure being formed of two parts, a first part underlying the first light transmissive electrical contact and a second part overlying the second electrical contact and wherein the constants of the layers in these layered structures are interdependent such that light is localized within the active region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy recovering assembly (1) and a method of providing the same for extraction of electric power. The assembly comprises a first array (2) of tubes (6) and a second array (3) of tubes (13). The tubes (6) of the first array (2) are interdigitated with the tubes (13) of the second array (3), such that two tubes (13) of the second array (3) are arranged between two successive tubes (6) of the first array (2), or such that two tubes (6) of the first array (2) are arranged between two successive tubes (13) of the second array (3). Thermo electric modules (4) are received in gaps (7) between adjacent tubes (6, 13) of the first (2) and second arrays (3). Fixation arrangements (5) are received in interspaces (X) between two tubes (6; 13).

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system according to the present disclosure includes first and second thermoelectric generator units, each including tubular thermoelectric generators. Each of the generators has a flow path defined by its inner peripheral surface, and generates electromotive force in an axial direction thereof based on a temperature difference between its inner and outer peripheral surfaces. Each unit further includes: a container housing the generators inside; and electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the generators. The container has fluid inlet and outlet ports through which a fluid flows inside, and openings into which the generators are inserted. A buffer vessel is arranged between the first and second units, and has a first opening communicating with the flow paths of the generators in the first unit and a second opening communicating with the flow paths of the generators in the second unit.

Abstract: A fuel gas supply apparatus of a fuel cell system includes a pressure reducing valve, an interruption valve, and an injector in a hydrogen supply channel. A controller of the fuel cell system includes a drive cycle setting unit for setting the drive cycle of the injector based on a load of the fuel cell stack, and a water state determination unit for determining whether or not quantity of water content in the fuel cell is excessive by determining whether or not the quantity of water content is a predetermined quantity or more.

Abstract: An electronic control device includes: a thermoelectric element module that has a plurality of thermoelectric element groups, which are connected in parallel; and a control circuit that supplies a driving power to the thermoelectric element module to perform an operation control of the thermoelectric element module. Additionally, the plurality of thermoelectric element groups respectively have a plurality of thermoelectric elements, which are connected in series. Moreover, each of the plurality of thermoelectric elements is provided with a pair of a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor. Furthermore, the plurality of thermoelectric element groups have different number of the thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: In a temperature regulation structure according to the invention, the power storage element includes a power generation element for charging and discharging, and has a case body having an opening portion for incorporating the power generation element, and a lid that closes up the opening portion of the case body. Air for temperature regulation that comes into contact with the power storage element is supplied from a direction substantially perpendicular to a bottom face of the case body, which is opposed to the lid across the power generation element. The temperature of the power storage element can be efficiently regulated by bringing the air for temperature regulation into contact with the bottom face of the case body.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter includes a first substrate that is deformable, a second substrate that is deformable, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements, and a group of electrodes. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The group of electrodes electrically interconnect the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a plurality of rows. The group of electrodes include a bridge electrode disposed across a first row and a second row among the plurality of rows. The first row is adjacent to the second row. The bridge electrode has a first part whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of each of remaining electrodes other than the bridge electrode among the group of electrodes and whose surface area is larger than a surface area of each of the remaining electrodes.

Abstract: A thermo-electric generator includes a semiconductor membrane with a phononic structure containing at least one P-N junction. The membrane is suspended between a first support designed to be coupled to a cold thermal source and a second support designed to be coupled to a hot thermal source. The structure for suspending the membrane has an architecture allowing the heat flux to be redistributed within the plane of the membrane.

Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingled manner and conductively bonded to each other in their overlapping regions to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module. Rear surface electrical connections between solar cells in electrically parallel super cells provide alternative current paths (i.e., detours) through the solar module around damaged, shaded, or otherwise underperforming solar cells.