Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photoelectric conversion device having a semiconductor substrate including a front side and back side, a protective layer formed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate, a first non-single crystalline semiconductor layer formed on the back side of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer including a first impurity formed on a first portion of a back side of the first non-single crystalline semiconductor layer, and a second conductive layer including the first impurity and a second impurity formed on a second portion of the back side of the first non-single crystalline semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A solar cell is discussed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, the substrate having a via hole, an emitter disposed at the substrate and having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, an anti-reflection layer disposed on a first surface of the substrate and inside the via hole, a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and in the via hole, a first electrode bus bar disposed on a second surface of the substrate that is opposite the first surface and in the via hole, and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the substrate and connected to the substrate.

Abstract: This invention is related to energy scavenging device and in particular, to energy harvesting or scavenging from the environmental radiation covering from solar spectrum and thermal radiation. Energy harvesting device is an integrated device comprising the devices that capture the radiation and converted into electrons, and also energy management devices to manage the converted energy either to store, to operate the electronic devices, and/or recharge the batteries. The energy scavenging devices integrates several device capabilities such as energy conversion, management, and storing the energy, on a common platform. Herein a design of a device capable to scavenge or harvest the energy from environment radiation is disclosed. A primary objective of this invention is to provide a design of a scavenging device that harvests the energy from environment radiation, operates 24/7, thereby generate and store, manage the energy as required.

Abstract: An air supported photovoltaic system includes a primary inflatable member with at least one facet thereon and a curved surface configured to rock the inflatable member and change the orientation of the facet to angle it towards the sun. A flexible array of photovoltaic cells is applied to the facet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solar cells. Such solar cells include a substrate containing a first impurity of a first conductive type and having a textured surface with a plurality of jagged portions. Such solar cells also have an emitter layer positioned on the textured surface and containing a second impurity of a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a first electrode having a plurality of first metal particles, electrically connected to the emitter layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the substrate. The diameter of the first metal particles is larger than the peak-to-peak distance between adjacent jagged portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic optoelectronic devices and, in particular, to organic photovoltaic devices having a fiber structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device comprises a first electrode comprising an indium tin oxide fiber, at least one photosensitive organic layer surrounding the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode surrounding the organic layer and electrically connected to the organic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photovoltaic device (PVD) having a quantum dot (QD) array structure that is capable of performing wavelength conversion. The PVD is configured to generate charge carriers from incident photons. An electric field generator is operable to apply an electric field to the PVD. Strength of the electric field is sufficient to cause the charge carriers to transition through a plurality of discrete energy states formed within a corresponding one of a conductive band and a valence band of the QD array structure. The transition of the charge carriers through the plurality of discrete energy states enables the PVD to generate emitted photons being radiated as an electromagnetic wave. A frequency (and hence wavelength) of the emitted photons being radiated as the electromagnetic wave is tunable by configuring physical attributes of the QD array structure and controlling the electric field strength.

Abstract: Provided are a solar cell apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, a high efficiency, inexpensive and large-area solar cell apparatus using a microlens, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The solar cell apparatus includes a plate on which a plurality of lenses are arranged on one surface, and a plurality of solar cells receiving light concentrated by the lenses.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a graphite substrate, an amorphous carbon layer having a thickness of not less than 20 nm and not more than 60 nm formed on the graphite substrate, an AlN layer formed on the amorphous carbon layer, a n-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the AlN layer; a light-absorption layer including a nitride semiconductor layer formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the light-absorption layer; a p-side electrode electrically connected to the p-type nitride semiconductor layer; and an n-side electrode electrically connected to the n-type nitride semiconductor layer. The amorphous carbon layer is obtained by oxidizing the surface of the graphite substrate.

Abstract: A system and method directed to using a PV array and laser beamed-power for aircraft and satellites is provided. More specifically, a system and method directed to a PV receiver that reduces power losses caused by variations in irradiance is provided. The use of a sloped array with a grooved cover glass coated with reflective coating allows the system and method to receive the laser beamed power at an angle and reduce any losses while producing a maximum power output. In addition, the use of capacitors in parallel with the PV cells in the array reduces resistive losses caused by short-term optical fluctuations and assists in maximizing power output for the array.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control device, which controls an air-fuel ratio sensor that is mounted in an exhaust path of an internal-combustion engine. The air-fuel ratio sensor is capable of pumping oxygen in a gas. Normally (time t0-t1, time t3 or later), a positive voltage Vp1 is applied to a sensor element (FIG. 7A), and the air-fuel ratio is calculated (FIG. 7C) in accordance with a sensor current (FIG. 7B). A heater is driven after internal-combustion engine startup to heat the sensor element. In a process in which the sensor element temperature rises, a negative voltage Vm, which is oriented in a direction different from that of the positive voltage Vp1, is applied to the sensor element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for solar energy converter with increased photovoltaic and thermal conversion efficiencies including a collection optics for receiving and concentrating incident sunlight, or radiation from any other directed electromagnetic energy source, an optical filtering unit for separating and redirecting infrared light and ultraviolet light from incoming solar light, a thermal distribution unit redirecting heat from the optical filtering unit into a thermal-loop, and a photovoltaic for receiving the filtered light from the filtering system and converting the light into energy.

Abstract: A thermoelectric tempering device having a plurality of thermoelectrically operating tempering elements, including a cold surface, which forms upon the supply of an electric current, on one side thereof, and a warm surface on the opposite side thereof, including air/heat exchange bodies affixed on both sides and accommodated in a respective air flow chamber, and ventilators effecting an air flow along the same. Simple adjustment and expansion possibilities are provided with a unit of the tempering device configured as a tempering module and constructed so that the air flow chambers are configured as flow channels surrounding the heat exchange bodies parallel to the flow direction laterally and on the cover side facing away from the tempering elements, the flow channels having an air intake opening and an air discharge opening, wherein the ventilator of the respective flow channel is disposed on an intake opening or on a discharge opening.

Abstract: A solar cell has a photovoltaic element having a back electrical contact, and a front current-collection grid cap structure overlying and contacting the photovoltaic solar cell element. The front current-collection grid cap structure is made of a doped semiconductor material and has openings therethrough to the photovoltaic solar cell element. An anti-reflection layer formed of an anti-reflection material overlies and contacts the photovoltaic solar cell element in the openings of the front current-collection grid cap structure. An edge stripe of a cap-top protective material, preferably the same as the anti-reflection material, overlies and contacts each top grid-cap margin of the top cap structure but not a top grid-cap central region of the top cap-structure. A metallic electrical current collector overlies and contacts the top cap structure and at least some of the edge stripe, but does not contact the anti-reflection layer and does not contact the photovoltaic solar cell element.

Abstract: Solar cells include bus bars and high aspect-ratio gridlines that are printed on a substrate, and localized melting is induced to slump or flatten the gridline “vertex” portions that are disposed on the bus bars, while maintaining the high aspect-ratio of gridlines portions disposed on the substrate between the bus bars. The localized melting process is induced using one of several disclosed methods, such as rheological melting in which the two printed inks produce a compound that is relatively liquid. Localized melting is also induced using a deliquescing material (e.g., a flux or a solvent film) that is applied to the bus bar or gridline material. Also, eutectic melting is induced using a processing temperature that is between a melting point of the combined gridline/bus bar inks and the individual melting points of the inks alone. Laser-based melting and the use of copolymers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solar system for converting solar radiation into electric energy, the system comprising: a refraction array and a converting array, the refracting array including at least one refraction sub array, each of the refraction sub arrays including a plurality of refraction sites, each of the refraction sites refracting variable approach angle collimated solar radiation into a plurality of solar rays, each of the solar rays being of a different waveband, each of the refraction sites directing each of the solar rays, refracted thereby, in a different direction, the different direction being at least dependent on the approach angle of the solar radiation, the converting array including a plurality of broadband converting cells, positioned such that light refracted by the refraction array impinges on the converting array, wherein at any given moment, each of the converting cells receives solar rays of a specific waveband originating from different refraction sites and arriving from different directions thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for merging and mixing two droplets using electrostatic forces includes a substrate on which are disposed a first originating electrode, a center electrode, and a second originating electrode. The electrodes are disposed such that a first gap is formed between the first originating electrode and the center electrode and a second gap is formed between the second originating electrode and the center electrode. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. A first droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the first gap, and a second droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the second gap. Voltage potentials are placed across the first gap and second gap, respectively, whereby each droplet is moved toward the other such that they collide together, causing the droplets to merge and mix, and causing oscillations within the collided droplet.

Abstract: Described is a light chamber for amplifying solar radiation for purposes of generating electricity using photovoltaic panels. The light chamber includes a housing; a photovoltaic panel disposed within the housing; a plurality of wedge-shaped reflectors disposed within the housing configured to rotate along one or two axes and can be directed by an integrated circuit controller; a dome lens affixed to the upper end of the housing; a fresnel lens disposed between the dome lens and the photovoltaic panel; a reflector disposed around the inner surface of the housing; and another reflector disposed at or near the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic module with bypass diodes that has a high electricity generating capacity per unit area and high productivity. This photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic cell assembly in which a plurality of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in series, and a diode assembly in which a plurality of diodes are formed on a substrate in the arrangement that is consistent with the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells to which the diodes are to be attached. The diode assembly is disposed on a non-light receiving side of the photovoltaic cells, and the diodes are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cell assembly and the diode assembly are sealed and united by a sealant.

Abstract: A high transmission low iron glass, that is highly oxidized, is provided for use in solar cells or the like. In certain example embodiments, the glass composition used for the glass is a low-iron type glass composition which is highly oxidized thereby permitting the glass to realize a combination of high visible transmission (Lta or Tvis), high ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) transmission, and high total solar (TS) transmission. These features may be achieved without the need for antimony in certain example instances. The glass substrate used in a solar cell may be patterned in certain example embodiments of this invention.