Abstract: A system for integrating and co-generating renewable energies which achieves a combined powerful AC/DC electricity output, includes an enclosed volume chamber having an inner surface including a plurality of thermophotovoltaic cells located thereon and an opening for admitting a condensed high-temperature solar energy beam. A heat absorbing member located within the chamber for receiving a portion of the solar energy beam and acts as a thermal storage as well as a thermal emitter to supply thermal energy to the thermophotovoltaic cells to create DC electricity. Air is fed into the chamber to capture thermal energy from the emitter and any waste thermal energy, which is then converted into AC electricity. The system relies on the power of simplicity using a new twist in solar physics to allow for the highest conversion of sunlight energy to electricity at zero carbon emission while occupying significantly less space than typical solar energy systems.

Abstract: A porphyrin-based compound is represented by Chemical Formula 1 or 2. A dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes the porphyrin-based compound so that the dye has improved photoelectric conversion efficiency. A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dye layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the dye layer includes the porphyrin-based compound.

Abstract: Nanorod and nanowire compositions are disclosed comprising copper indium selenide, copper indium gallium selenide, copper indium sulfide, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are photovoltaic devices comprising the nanorod and/or nanowire compositions. Also disclosed are methods for producing the nanorod and nanowire compositions, and photovoltaic devices described herein.

Abstract: Manufacture for an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. Solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of solar cells each including a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode on the first electrode, and a photoelectric conversion unit between the first electrode and the second electrode, a ribbon positioned on each of first and second outermost solar cells among the solar cells, and a conductive adhesive part positioned between the first outermost solar cell and the ribbon and between the second outermost solar cell and the ribbon. The conductive adhesive part positioned between the second electrode of the first outermost solar cell and the ribbon includes a first connector, which is electrically connected to the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion unit, and the second electrode of the first outermost solar cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) includes: a front substrate (e.g., glass substrate); a semiconductor absorber film; a back contact including a first conductive layer of or including copper (Cu) and a second conductive layer of or including molybdenum (Mo); and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). The first conductive layer of or including copper is located between at least the rear substrate and the second conductive layer of or including molybdenum, and wherein the semiconductor absorber film is located between at least the back contact and the front substrate.

Abstract: Thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.

Abstract: A PV installation comprises a PV array, an electrical interface connecting a utility power source to an electrical load, and a DC to AC inverter. A first set of wiring electrically connects the PV array to the inverter through a disconnect device and a second set of wiring electrically connects the inverter to the electrical interface. A control mechanism connects the disconnect device to the electrical interface so that when power from the electrical interface is removed, the PV array is electrically disconnected from the inverter. The disconnect device may be a remote disconnect device located at a position at or near the PV array, such as in the space beneath a roof supporting the PV array. A method electrically disconnects a PV array from electrical wiring at a site.

Abstract: A lattice-matched solar cell having a dilute nitride-based sub-cell has exponential doping to thereby control current-carrying capacity of the solar cell. Specifically a solar cell with at least one dilute nitride sub-cell that has a variably doped base or emitter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a lattice matched multi junction solar cell has an upper sub-cell, a middle sub-cell and a lower dilute nitride sub-cell, the lower dilute nitride sub-cell having doping in the base and/or the emitter that is at least partially exponentially doped so as to improve its solar cell performance characteristics. In construction, the dilute nitride sub-cell may have the lowest bandgap and be lattice matched to a substrate, the middle cell typically has a higher bandgap than the dilute nitride sub-cell while it is lattice matched to the dilute nitride sub-cell. The upper sub-cell typically has the highest bandgap and is lattice matched to the adjacent sub-cell.

Abstract: A solar array including a solar array assembly, hub assembly, and wing assembly.

Abstract: A solar cell is provided that increases a rate of sunlight absorbed into a photoelectric conversion layer by forming a transparent conductive layer into a plurality of layers having different oxygen contents and different light absorption coefficients, and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell includes a substrate, a transparent conductive layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer. The transparent conductive layer includes a first layer having a first light absorption coefficient, and a second layer formed on the first layer and having a second light absorption coefficient higher than the first light absorption coefficient.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell fabricating kit for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell includes a semiconductor electrode having a semiconductor layer carrying a dye, an opposite electrode disposed opposite the semiconductor electrode, an electrolytic solution made by dissolving electrolyte in a solvent and caused to fill between the semiconductor electrode and the opposite electrode during an initial assembly, the electrolytic solution being supplemented when decreased after assembly, so that an electrolyte concentration at the time of supplement is lower than an electrolyte concentration of the electrolytic solution supplied during the initial assembly, and a sealing member detachably attachable to an inlet through which the electrolytic solution is supplied between the semiconductor electrode and the opposite electrode to close the inlet.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include a crystalline substrate and an emitter contact portion formed in contact with the substrate. A back-surface-field junction includes a homogeneous junction layer formed in contact with the crystalline substrate and having a same conductivity type and a higher active doping density than that of the substrate. The homogeneous junction layer includes a thickness less than a diffusion length of minority carriers in the homogeneous junction layer. A passivation layer is formed in contact with the homogeneous junction layer opposite the substrate, which is either undoped or has the same conductivity type as that of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of producing photo-voltaic devices include spray coating deposition of metal chalcogenides, contact lithographic methods and/or metal ion injection. Photo-voltaic devices include devices made by the methods, tandem photo-voltaic devices and bulk junction photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell including a working electrode (1), a first conducting layer (3) for extracting photo-generated electrons from the working electrode, a porous insulation substrate (4) made of a microfibers, wherein the first conducting layer is a porous conducting layer formed on one side of the porous insulation substrate, a counter electrode including a second conducting layer (2) arranged on the opposite side of the porous substrate, and electrolyte for transferring electrons from the counter electrode to the working electrode. The porous insulation substrate comprises a layer (5) of woven microfibers and a layer (6) of non-woven microfibers disposed on the layer of woven microfibers. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell module and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically a counter electrode has connection parts formed within the side surfaces of the transparent conductive substrates. Edges of the working electrode and the counter electrode are bonded with each other by a sealant along the outer peripheral except for at one or more portions of the edges to form an electrolyte injection port. An electrolyte is then injected through the electrolyte injection hole into a space between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The electrolyte injection hole is then sealed by a sealant.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic compositional longitudinal modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or “nanomembranes.

Abstract: Methods of making a photovoltaic device with an organic liquid precursor having electron donor, electron acceptor, and liquid carrier are provided. The liquid precursor is applied to an electrode. A gas permeable layer/stamp contacts and applies pressure to the organic liquid precursor removing liquid carrier to form a solid active material with uniform interpenetrating network domains of electron donor/acceptor materials. A two-step process is also contemplated. A liquid precursor with either electron donor or acceptor is applied to an electrode, contacted under pressure with a first stamp having a nanoscale pattern, thus forming a solid with a patterned surface. Then, a second liquid precursor with the other of the electron donor or acceptor is applied to the patterned surface, contacted with a second stamp under pressure to form the active material. A transparent conducting electrode with material nanograting can be formed. The methods also include continuous processing, like roll-to-roll manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly automated method of interconnecting flexible solar cells to form solar modules having a wide variety of sizes and electrical characteristics. The method is fast and economical, providing many attributes of a “pseudo monolithic integration” scheme that has previously been attainable only on rigid substrates.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) device, comprising a PV interband cascade (IC) stage, wherein the IC PV stage comprises an absorption region with a band gap, the absorption region configured to absorb photons, an intraband transport region configured to act as a hole barrier, and an interband tunneling region configured to act as an electron barrier. An IC PV architecture for a photovoltaic device, the IC PV architecture comprising an absorption region, an intraband transport region coupled to the absorption region, and an interband tunneling region coupled to the intraband transport region and to the adjacent absorption region, wherein the absorption region, the intraband transport region, and the interband tunneling region are positioned such that electrons will flow from the absorption region to the intraband transport region to the interband tunneling region.