Abstract: A solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first layer comprising a first copper-based material deposited upon the substrate, the first copper-based material electrically attracted to the substrate or to a first optional deposit layer deposited between the substrate and the first layer, and a second layer comprising a second copper-based material deposited upon the first layer or an second optional deposit layer deposited between the first layer and the second layer, the second copper-based material electrically attracted to the first layer or to the second optional deposit layer, wherein the first copper-based material and the second copper-based material are selected from the group consisting of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), copper indium selenium (CIS), and cadmium sulfate (CdS).

Abstract: A four-junction quaternary compound solar cell and a method thereof are provided. Forming a first subcell (100) with a first band gap, a lattice constant matching with the substrate on an InP grown substrate, forming a second subcell (200) with a second band gap bigger than the first band gap, a lattice constant matching with the substrate on the first subcell, forming a graded buffer layer (600) with a third band gap bigger than the second band gap on the second subcell, forming a third subcell (300) with a fourth band gap bigger than the third band gap, a lattice constant smaller than the substrate on the graded buffer layer, forming a fourth subcell (400) with a fifth band gap bigger than the fourth band gap, a lattice constant matching with the third subcell on the third subcell, and then forming the required four-junction solar cell then by succeeding process including removing the grown substrate, bonding a support substrate, forming electrodes, evaporating an anti-reflect film and so on.

Abstract: A transparent electrodynamic screen (EDS) enables automatic removal of dust to protect and enhance performance of solar collectors and similar components. A pattern of transparent conductive electrodes are deposited over a glass or polymer outer surface of a solar collector, and embedded under a thin, transparent dielectric fluoropolymer film or silicon dioxide coating. When energized by three-phase voltages at frequencies in the range 5 to 20 Hz, the electrodes produce an oscillating electric field and a traveling electrodynamic wave that charges the particles on the surface and exerts coulomb and dielectrophoretic forces to lift the dust from the surface and transport it to an edge of the collector, thereby clearing the screen. The EDS can be incorporated in the collector in an integrated way during manufacture or retrofitted to existing conventional collectors.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a solar cell comprises the steps of: (a) providing the semiconductor substrate in a deposition chamber of a vapour deposition apparatus, which semiconductor substrate comprises a passivation layer at a first side thereof which passivation layer is patterned to define contact areas at which the copper-containing conductor is present; (b) supplying a gaseous silicon species into the deposition chamber, resulting in the formation of a surface layer of a copper silicide on a surface of the copper-containing conductor and in the formation of amorphous silicon on top of the passivation layer, and (c) providing a protective layer of an insulating silicon compound on the surface layer, wherein the protective cover comprising both the surface layer and the protective layer.

Abstract: A method of producing semiconductor materials and devices that incorporate the semiconductor materials are provided. In particular, a method is provided of producing a semiconductor material, such as a III-V semiconductor, on a silicon substrate using a compliant buffer layer, and devices such as photovoltaic cells that incorporate the semiconductor materials. The compliant buffer material and semiconductor materials may be deposited using coincident site lattice-matching epitaxy, resulting in a close degree of lattice matching between the substrate material and deposited material for a wide variety of material compositions. The coincident site lattice matching epitaxial process, as well as the use of a ductile buffer material, reduce the internal stresses and associated crystal defects within the deposited semiconductor materials fabricated using the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method for processing a perovskite photoactive layer. The method comprises depositing a lead salt precursor onto a substrate to form a lead salt thin film, depositing a second salt precursor onto the lead salt thin film, annealing the substrate to form a perovskite material.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.

Abstract: With a view to realizing a titanium oxide structure that has a large surface area and enables efficient transfer of ions and electrons by virtue of titanium oxide particles connected to one another, an object of the invention is to develop a material useful as an active material for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a process for producing the material; a porous titanium oxide composition and a process for producing the composition; and a photoelectric conversion element comprising the titanium oxide structure or porous titanium oxide composition.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component that includes at least one first array of photovoltaic nano-cells is disclosed. Each photovoltaic component includes an optical nano-antenna exhibiting an electromagnetic resonance in a first resonant spectral band, at least one lateral dimension of the optical nano-antenna being subwavelength in size, and a spectral conversion layer allowing at least part of the solar spectrum to be converted to said first resonant spectral band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible electrical generator comprising at least one photovoltaic device and a flexible support, wherein said photovoltaic device is attached to the flexible support and wherein the flexible support comprises a fabric comprising high-strength polymeric fibers, said flexible support comprising also a plastomer wherein said plastomer is a semi-crystalline copolymer of ethylene or propylene and one or more C2 to C12 ?-olefin co-monomers and wherein said plastomer having a density as measured according to ISO1183 of between 860 and 930 kg/m3.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating back-contact solar cells and devices thereof are described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming an N-type dopant source layer and a P-type dopant source layer above a material layer disposed above a substrate. The N-type dopant source layer is spaced apart from the P-type dopant source layer. The N-type dopant source layer and the P-type dopant source layer are heated. Subsequently, a trench is formed in the material layer, between the N-type and P-type dopant source layers.

Abstract: The present invention describes an aluminum-based paste composition including an aluminum powder, one or more glass frits, an organo-aluminate compound; and an organic vehicle. The present invention also describes a solar cell including an aluminum-based paste composition applied on a back surface of a silicon wafer.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an assembly including at least a photovoltaic sheathing element capable of being affixed on a building structure, the sheathing element including at least: a photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion attached to one or more portions of the photovoltaic cell assembly; at least a first and a second connector assembly disposed on opposing sides of the sheathing element and capable of directly or indirectly electrically connecting the photovoltaic cell assembly to at least two adjoining devices that are affixed to the building structure and wherein at least one of the connector assemblies includes a flexible portion; one or more connector pockets disposed in the body portion the pockets capable of receiving at least a portion of the connector assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of at least one thermoelectric element capable of generating an electric current under the effect of a temperature gradient exerted between two of its sides, referred to as the contact sides, and an electrical connection means is disclosed. The assembly includes a first deformable element electrically connecting the electrical connection means to the thermoelectric element, the first element including a first side linked to the electrical connection means and a second side linked to the thermoelectric element, the first side being deformable independently from the second side and vice versa, the assembly including a second deformable element forming a heat bridge between the first and second sides of the first element. A thermoelectric module including such an assembly and a thermoelectric device including such a module are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell including a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer on the first electrode, a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode on the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer may include a nano wire that may be formed along a grain boundary of a top surface thereof to have a mesh-shaped structure.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell. The solar cell includes: a substrate including through lines opposing to each other; a semiconductor layer on a top side of the substrate; bus lines at both edges of a top side of the semiconductor layer; and bus bars connected electrically to the bus lines, respectively, and extending to a rear side of the substrate through the through lines.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes multiple rectangular solar cells each with chamfered corner portions, wiring members each electrically connecting adjacent ones of the solar cells to each other, and a protective member on a light-receiving surface side of the solar cells. The solar cells are arranged in matrix with spaces therebetween. The wiring member has a reflective surface in a region surrounded by the corner portions of the multiple solar cells. The reflective surface reflects light entering from the light-receiving surface side toward the protective member.

Abstract: A PV system may be used in case of emergencies. Each individual photovoltaic module receives a signal to determine if it is allowed to be operational or must shut down. Modules by default are shut off and safe to handle, absent the signal and in the presence of light.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a solar cell module using the same. The solar cell module includes a glass frit provided on a support substrate and including sodium, a first solar cell comprising a first back electrode layer, a first light absorbing layer, and a first front electrode layer which are sequentially arranged on the support substrate, and a second solar cell comprising a second back electrode layer, a second light absorbing layer, and a second front electrode layer which are sequentially arranged on the glass frit. The first solar cell is electrically connected to the second solar cell on the glass frit.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell having at least four solar subcells includes a first solar subcell having a first band gap. A first graded interlayer adjacent to the first solar subcell and has a second band gap greater than the first band gap and that is constant at 1.5 eV throughout the thickness of the first graded interlayer. A second solar subcell is adjacent to the first graded interlayer and has a third band gap smaller than the first band gap of the first solar subcell. The second solar subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the first solar subcell. A second graded interlayer is adjacent to the second solar subcell and has a fourth band gap greater than the third band gap of the second solar subcell and that is constant at 1.1 eV throughout the thickness of the second graded interlayer. A third solar subcell is adjacent to the second graded interlayer and has a fifth band gap smaller than the third band gap of the second solar subcell.