Abstract: A solar module (2) comprising; (a) an active portion (4) and (b) a support portion (6), wherein the support portion (8) includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs (20) in a series of interconnected or partially interconnected patterns. The solar module (2) may include an intermediate portion (6C) acting as a structural interface between the active portion (4) and the support portion (6). The intermediate portion (6C) may include one or more gate locations (10, 12). The plurality of reinforcement ribs (20) may extend at an angle along the support portion (6) so that an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a width direction is substantially equal to an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a length direction.

Abstract: A solar cell is discussed, which includes a tunneling layer on one surface of a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a second conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode connected to the first conductive type region and the second electrode connected to the second conductive type region. The tunneling layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed to correspond to at least a part of the first and second conductive type regions and has a first thickness. At least a part of the second portion is disposed to correspond to a boundary portion between the first conductive type region and the second conductive type region. The second portion has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A microinverter comprises a housing, a cover configured to connect to the housing, and electronics mounted within the housing to convert direct current from a solar panel to alternative current. The housing includes a first side wall, a second side wall perpendicular to the first side wall, and a mounting flange extending from the side walls, the mounting flange including a first channel configured to receive a first rail segment of the solar panel, a second channel configured to receive a second rail segment of the solar panel, and a mounting tab disposed between the channels to receive a fastener extending through one of the rail segments, thereby securing the housing to the solar panel with a single fastener.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include forming a plurality of pillar structures in a substrate, forming a first electrode layer on the pillar structures and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer on the first electrode. A second electrode layer is deposited over the photovoltaic stack such that gaps or fissures occur in the second electrode layer between the pillar structures. The second electrode layer is wet etched to open up the gaps or fissures and reduce the second electrode layer to form a three-dimensional electrode of substantially uniform thickness over the photovoltaic stack.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, an emission layer between the anode and the cathode, and an auxiliary layer between the anode and the emission layer and/or between the cathode and the emission layer, wherein the auxiliary layer includes a ternary compound including a halogen element.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one battery module and a housing. The at least one battery module includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along one direction and barriers respectively positioned between adjacent ones of the plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells being electrically coupled to each other. The housing accommodates the battery module therein and has inlets at opposite edges of a first end of the housing at one end of the battery module, and an outlet at a lower portion of a second end of the housing at an opposite end of the battery module. Each barrier includes a base portion facing an adjacent one of the battery cells, an upper spacer at at least one top corner of the base portion, and a lower spacer at at least one bottom corner of the base portion. Sides and a bottom of the battery module are spaced from the housing.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polymeric compositions adapted for use in forming electronic devices are disclosed. The compositions are thermally curable at temperatures less than about 250° C. Compositions are provided which may be solvent-free and so can be used in processing or manufacturing operations without solvent recovery concerns. Core-shell conductive particles provide the conductivity of the compositions and devices contemplated herein.

Abstract: Apparatus for electric power generation. A system includes a boiler for heating a fluid, the boiler directing a first portion of the heated fluid to a turbine for the generation of electric power and a second portion of the heated fluid to a thermoelectric (TE) generator, and a condenser connected to the turbine that condenses hot fluid emitted from the turbine and feeds the condensed fluid to the TE generator, the TE generator generating electric power from a difference in temperature of the second portion of the heated fluid and the condensed fluid from the turbine.

Abstract: After forming an absorber layer containing cracks over a back contact layer, a passivation layer is formed over a top surface of the absorber layer and interior surfaces of the cracks. The passivation layer is deposited in a manner such that that the cracks in the absorber layer are fully passivated by the passivation layer. An emitter layer is then formed over the passivation layer to pinch off upper portions of the cracks, leaving voids in lower portions of the cracks.

Abstract: In a step of pressing a laminate, the laminate is first pressed while being heated to a temperature lower than a melting point of a thermoplastic resin so as to elastically deform the thermoplastic resin and apply a pressure in a direction perpendicular to a laminating direction to thereby allow first and second conductive pastes to tightly adhere to front and rear surface patterns. Next, the laminate is pressed while being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin so as to fluidize the thermoplastic resin while allowing the thermoplastic resin to flow out from the laminate and apply a pressure in the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction to thereby allow the first and second conductive pastes are solid-sintered.

Abstract: A solar cell module can include a plurality of solar cell strings, which include first and second solar cell strings including a first and second plurality of solar cells electrically connected in the first direction, respectively, and parallel to each other, first conductive wires connect a first electrode of a first solar cell to a second electrode of a second solar cell neighboring the first solar cell in the first direction within each of the solar cells, the first and second solar cell strings are electrically connected by a second conductive wire connecting a first electrode of a third solar cell located at a first end of the first solar cell string and a second electrode of a fourth solar cell located at a first end of the second solar cell string, and the second conductive wire is between the third solar cell and the fourth solar cell.

Abstract: A battery includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion includes a first positive electrode layer, a first negative electrode layer, and a first solid electrolyte layer located between the first positive electrode layer and the first negative electrode layer, in which the second portion includes a second positive electrode layer, a second negative electrode layer, and a second solid electrolyte layer located between the second positive electrode layer and the second negative electrode layer, in which the first portion and the second portion are in contact with each other, the second portion is more sharply bent than the first portion, and Cp1<Cp2, Ce1<Ce2, and Cn1<Cn2 are satisfied.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a pair of support substrates having mutually opposed regions; wiring conductors each disposed on one principal surfaces of the pair of support substrates, the one principal surfaces being opposed to each other; a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between the one principal surfaces; a lead member joined to one wiring conductor disposed on one support substrate; and a cover material which covers a junction where the lead member is joined to the one wiring conductor disposed on the one support substrate. The one support substrate has a first protruding portion including the junction, and the other support substrate has a second protruding portion located so as not to overlap the junction as seen in a direction perpendicular to the one principal surface. The cover material is joined to the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.

Abstract: A sensing system including in-ground sensors not requiring battery power. A thermoelectric generator sensor rod includes an upper thermal contact and a lower thermal contact at or near its two ends. When the thermoelectric generator sensor rod is buried in the ground with one end buried more deeply than the other, a temperature gradient in the soil produces a temperature difference between the upper thermal contact and the lower thermal contact. The upper thermal contact and the lower thermal contact are thermally connected to a thermoelectric generator, e.g., by heat pipes or thermally conductive rods. Electrical power generated by the thermoelectric generator powers sensors for monitoring conditions in the ground, and circuitry for transmitting sensor data to a central data processing system.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a rechargeable battery comprising at least 95% active cathode material with an electrode loading of at least 6 mg/cm2, and preferably at least 10 mg/cm2, and an electrode porosity of less than 2%, and preferably less than 1%. The active cathode material may comprise a bimodal composition wherein at least 70% consists of a first lithium cobalt based oxide powder having an average particle size (D50) of at least 25 ?m and a BET value <0.2 m2/g, and a second lithium transition metal oxide based powder having the formula Li1+bN1?bO2, wherein 0.10?b?0.25, and N=NixMnyCo2Ad, wherein 0.10?x?0.40, 0.30?y?0.80, 0<z?0.20 and 0?d?0.10, A being a dopant, the second powder having an average particle size (D50) of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel wire cover assembly, used with a PV panel having a perimeter trim piece, includes clips, an elongate wire cover and fastener structure. Each clip includes a proximal end and long and short legs, the long leg parallel with and joined to the short leg at the clip proximal end. A gap between the long and short legs is sized for receipt of the trim piece. The wire cover includes a wire-covering housing defining a housing interior and having first and second opposite sides and a first flange extending from the first opposite side and positioned against the long leg. The fastener structure engages the short leg and the first flange to bias the first flange and the long leg therewith towards the short leg. The wire cover can be fastened to the trim piece through the clips without penetrating the PV panel.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module which has a high anti-glare property and is capable of maintaining power output at a high level. In a solar cell module with a light-incident surface formed by laminating an antireflection film on a plate body made of glass, and a surface of the plate body is roughened. A substance for forming the antireflection film is introduced into a space formed in a crack situated slightly inside from the roughened surface. Formation of a layer of air in the crack is prevented to suppress reflection of light at a portion in which the crack is formed.

Abstract: An organic vehicle used in the manufacture of electroconductive silver paste. The organic vehicle comprises an organic binder, a surfactant, and an organic solvent. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes at least one of PVP, PMMA, or PVB as the organic binder, allowing for high compatibility with the metallic particles and resulting in an electroconductive paste with low viscosity for fine line printability. Another aspect of the invention relates to an electroconductive paste composition. The preferred embodiment utilizes metallic particles, glass frit, and an organic vehicle comprising a binder, namely at least one of PVP, PMMA, or PVB, a surfactant, and an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to power supplies and in particular to an electronic power supply that is mounted to a printed circuit board and can be used to power electronic circuits and devices. Disclosed is a power supply which includes a photoluminescent light source. The photoluminescent light source generates light in response to receiving input power. One or more than one photovoltaic device is in optical communication with the photoluminescent light source, and generates output power in response to receiving light from the photoluminescent light source. The amount of output power generated by the one or more than one photovoltaic device is greater than the amount of input power received by the photoluminescent light source. In some embodiments the photoluminescent light source includes a light-emitting device and a photoluminescent material, each of which is embedded in an optical coupling material.

Abstract: A method of drawing different materials includes forming a first material into a preform body defining at least one channel extending therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A first element formed of a second material is inserted into the channel and with the preform body creates a preform assembly. The first element has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the channel, and the second material has a higher melting temperature than the first material. The preform assembly is heated so that the first material softens and the preform assembly is drawn so that the preform body deforms at a first deformation rate to a smaller cross-sectional area and the first element substantially maintains a constant cross-sectional area throughout the drawing process. Upon completion of the drawing step, the cross-sectional area of the channel is equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the first element.