Abstract: A lithium battery including: a cathode; an anode; and an electrolyte between the cathode and the anode, wherein the cathode includes a cathode active material represented by Formula 1, LixNiyM1?yO2-zAz??Formula 1 wherein 0.95?x?1.2, 0.75?y?0.98, and 0?z<0.2, M is Al, Mg, Mn, Co, Fe, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, B, Ca, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sr, Sb, W, Bi, or a combination thereof, and A is an element having an oxidation number of ?1, ?2, or ?3, wherein each element of M is independently present in an amount of 0.02?y?0.3, wherein a total content of M is 0.02?y?0.3; and wherein the electrolyte includes a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and a diallyl compound represented by Formula 2, wherein L1 and L2 are each independently a single bond, a C1-C20 alkylene group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C2-C20 alkenylene group.

Abstract: A system including a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising a photovoltaic (PV) module and a roofing shingle. In some embodiments, the roofing shingle is bonded to the PV module. In some embodiments, a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the PV module is from 5 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876. In some embodiments, the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot. Methods, systems, and kits including the integrated PV roofing shingle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithium battery is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein the positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material represented by Formula 1, and the non-aqueous electrolyte solution includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive, wherein the additive is a mixed additive which includes lithium difluorophosphate, tetravinylsilane, and a sultone compound in a weight ratio of 1:0.05:0.1 to 1:1:1.5: Li(NiaCobMnc)O2??[Formula 1] wherein, in Formula 1, 0.65<a?0.9, 0.05?b<0.2, 0.05?c<0.2, and a+b+c=1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a negative electrode material for a battery, the method comprising the following steps: a) dry-mixing the following components, without adding any solvent, to obtain a dry mixture: polyacrylic acid, a silicon-based material, and an alkali metal hydroxide and/or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, and an optionally present carbon material; and b) mixing the dry mixture obtained in step a) with an aqueous solvent, to obtain the negative electrode material. The present invention also provides a lithium ion battery and a solid-state battery, wherein a negative electrode of the lithium ion battery and the solid-state battery is prepared from the negative electrode material obtained by the method.

Abstract: Corner connection members for a photovoltaic module frame include thru-passages for receiving insert components that perform and facilitate a variety of functions, such as attaching the photovoltaic module to a roof, providing a ground connection for the solar cells, to facilitate the mechanical and electrical connection of photovoltaic modules which are arranged side-by-side, to facilitate securing photovoltaic modules in a stack, and providing mechanical and electrical connections to adjacent photovoltaic modules in an array. Insert components may also include electronic devices, such as microinverters and energy storage devices, which are connected to the photovoltaic modules when the insert component is installed in the corner member.

Abstract: A doped photovoltaic device is presented. The photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor absorber layer or stack disposed between a front contact and a back contact. The absorber layer comprises cadmium, selenium, and tellurium doped with Ag, and optionally with Cu. The Ag dopant may be added to the absorber in amounts ranging from 5×1015/cm3 to 2.5×1017/cm3 via any of several methods of application before, during, or after deposition of the absorber layer. The photovoltaic device has improved Fill Factor and PMAX at higher Pr(=Isc*Voc product) values, e.g. about 160 W, which results in improved conversion efficiency compared to a device not doped with Ag. Improved PT may result from increased Isc, increased Voc, or both.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating electricity and maintaining data are described. A unit has multiple solar panels and a set of hinges into which additional hardware may be added. Rotatable hinges allow rotatable solar panels to move between open, partial open and closed configurations of the unit. For a closed configuration, each rotatable hinge holds each solar panel relative to one another in the approximate cubic shape. A set of hinges may be a set of removeable rods and sleeves. In a further feature, electronics positioned within a solar unit are protected and electromagnetically shielded. A switch controls a security state of the solar unit that varies depending on whether the solar unit is in an open, partial open or closed configuration. The security state may include the type of external communication and access permitted. Skate or skateboard assemblies provide greater mobility.

Abstract: One embodiment is a photovoltaic (PV) module including a frame to receive a perimeter of a backside of a photovoltaic (PV) laminate. The cross rail assembly may include: a conductive frame to receive a perimeter of a backside of a photovoltaic (PV) laminate; one or more conductive cross rail members provide structural rigidity to the conductive frame; and one or more pairs of couplers coupled to the conductive frame, wherein: at least one coupler comprises a grounding coupler having a first keyed section to insert into an opening in the conductive frame and a second keyed section to mate with an end of a conductive cross rail member of the one or more conductive cross rail members to ground the conductive cross rail member to the frame; or at least one coupler of at least one of the one or more pairs includes a length to define a cabling channel.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module having an external electrical connector is described. For example, the photovoltaic module may include a plug receptacle mounted on a module laminate, and a contact may extend from a photovoltaic cell within the module laminate into a plug channel of the plug receptacle. The plug receptacle may receive a mating electrical connector, e.g., an electrical plug, of off-panel electronics. Accordingly, the contact may be removably connected to the mating electrical connector, and the photovoltaic cell may be placed in electrical connection with the off-panel electronics.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element is provided that comprises a photovoltaic converter panel and at least one mounting arrangement. The photovoltaic converter panel defines a front surface adapted to receive solar impinging light and defines a back surface opposing the front surface. The at least one mounting arrangement is mounted to the back surface of the photovoltaic converter panel by a glue. Furthermore, a mounted surface is provided that comprises at least two such photovoltaic elements.

Abstract: A system, a thermoelectric generator, and a method for generating electricity are provided. The system includes a thermoelectric generator, a cooling system, and a heating system. The cooling system includes a cold side module configured to hold a predetermined volume of air, a subterranean heat exchanger including an underground conduit, the underground conduit having a first end configured to receive ambient air and a second end coupled to the inlet of the cold side module, and an air exhaust coupled to the outlet of the cold side module and having one or more valves configured to control an airflow from the subterranean heat exchanger towards the air exhaust. The heating system includes a first solar concentrator to collect light rays, a hot side module, and a fiber optic cable to transport the collected light rays to the hot side module.

Abstract: Selenium-fullerene heterojunction solar cells and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a front contact on a substrate; depositing an n-type semiconducting layer on the front contact, wherein the n-type semiconducting layer comprises a fullerene or fullerene derivative; forming a p-type chalcogen absorber layer on the n-type semiconducting layer; depositing a high workfunction material onto the p-type chalcogen absorber layer, wherein the high workfunction material has a workfunction of greater than about 5.2 electron volts; and forming a back contact on the high workfunction material. Solar cells and other methods for formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell of an embodiment includes a first solar cell including a first photoelectric conversion device, a second solar cell including a plurality of second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series and having a back contact, and an insulating layer between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. A device isolation region is provided between the second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, provided is a solid electrolyte material including an oxide, the oxide including an octahedral coordination structure that includes a metal element M and oxygen atoms arranged centering on the metal element M. The metal element M includes Nb and Ta. Amass ratio ?Ta/?Nb of a mass ?Ta of Ta to a mass ?Nb of Nb is within a range of 5×10?5??Ta/?Nb?3×10?3.

Abstract: An apparatus for solid state energy harvesting includes a complex oxide based pyrochlores having a chemical formula of A2 B2 O7 configured to directly convert heat into electricity and operate and function at a higher temperature without oxidizing in air. The complex oxide based pyrochlores are mixed with cation at B-site.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for a thermogalvanic brick are disclosed.

Abstract: A method may be provided of manufacturing a thermoelectric leg. The method may include preparing a first metal substrate including a first metal, and forming a first plated layer including a second metal on the first metal substrate. The method may also include disposing a layer including tellurium (Te) on the first plated layer, and forming a portion of the first plated layer as a first bonding layer by reacting the second metal and the Te. The method also includes disposing a thermoelectric material layer including bismuth (Bi) and Te on an upper surface of the first bonding layer, and disposing a second metal substrate, on which a second bonding layer and a second plated layer are formed, on the thermoelectric material layer, and sintering.