Abstract: A power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cooling part; a thermoelectric module disposed on a first region of one surface of the cooling part; a connector part disposed on a second region of the one surface of the cooling part and connected to the thermoelectric module; a heat insulating member disposed on the connector part and disposed so as to expose a side surface of the connector part; a shield member disposed so as to cover the heat insulating member and the connector part; and a first insulating layer disposed between the connector part and the shield member.

Abstract: A transparent electrode with a transparent substrate and a composite layer disposed thereon, wherein the composite layer includes a graphene layer and a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are embedded in the graphene layer and extend through a thickness of the graphene layer, and wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are in direct contact with the transparent substrate and a gap is present between the graphene layer and the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A heat converter according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of unit modules respectively arranged in a first direction and a second direction that intersects the first direction; and a frame, which supports the plurality of unit modules, allows cooling water to flow in through one surface arranged in the first direction, and allows the cooling water to be discharged through the other surface arranged in the first direction, wherein each unit module includes: a cooling water passage chamber having first and second surfaces arranged to be spaced in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces arranged to be spaced in a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, a fifth surface arranged to be spaced in the second direction such that cooing water flows therein, and a sixth surface from which cooling water is discharged; a first thermoelectric module arranged on the first surface; and a second thermoelectric module arranged on the second surface

Abstract: A solar cell and a photovoltaic module, including a substrate and a first electrode. The first electrode is arranged on a surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate. Along a thickness direction of the substrate, the first electrode is provided with a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a first transport layer. The first transport layer is located between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and the first transport layer is made of a semiconductor material and configured to electrically connect the first conductive layer with the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays (such as flexible panels) and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods utilizing cascade photocatalysis to drive multiple chemical reactions via a series of photoelectrochemical catalysts driven by the conversion of light into current by one or more photovoltaic devices. The described devices and methods are tunable and may be used in conjunction with different reactants and products, including the conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: Tri-layer semiconductor stacks for patterning features on solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor structure is disposed above the substrate. The semiconductor structure includes a P-type semiconductor layer disposed directly on a first semiconductor layer. A third semiconductor layer is disposed directly on the P-type semiconductor layer. An outermost edge of the third semiconductor layer is laterally recessed from an outermost edge of the first semiconductor layer by a width. An outermost edge of the P-type semiconductor layer is sloped from the outermost edge of the third semiconductor layer to the outermost edge of the third semiconductor layer. A conductive contact structure is electrically connected to the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower metal substrate, a lower insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate, a plurality of lower electrodes disposed on the lower insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs disposed on the plurality of lower electrodes, a plurality of upper electrodes disposed on the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs to be spaced apart from each other, an upper insulating layer disposed on the plurality of upper electrodes, and an upper metal substrate disposed on the upper insulating layer, wherein the lower insulating layer includes a first insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate and a plurality of second insulating layers disposed on the first insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A single-axis solar tracker consisting of a series of A-frame shaped foundation with actuators attached to each leg that are connected at one end to a common rotating assembly supporting multiple solar panels. Concerted action of the actuators causes the common rotating assembly to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system may include a central torque tube supported by the series of A-frame foundations or a frame assembly that is hingedly attached to each A-frame foundation via a torque arm.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a conductive foil having a first portion with a first yield strength coupled to a semiconductor region of the solar cell. The solar cell can be interconnected with another solar cell via an interconnect structure that includes a second portion of the conductive foil, with the interconnect structure having a second yield strength greater than the first yield strength.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion element includes a p-type thermoelectric converter, an n-type thermoelectric converter, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. One end of the p-type converter is electrically connected to one end of the n-type converter. The other end of the p-type converter is electrically connected to the second electrode, and the other end of the n-type converter is electrically connected to the third electrode. The p-type converter includes a first phononic crystal layer having a first phononic crystal structure including regularly arranged first through holes. The n-type converter includes a second phononic crystal layer having a second phononic crystal structure including regularly arranged second through holes. The through direction of the first through holes is a direction extending between the ends of the p-type converter. The through direction of the second through holes is a direction extending between the ends of the n-type converter.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell including metallization techniques and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, forming a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region on the back side of a substrate. A first conductive busbar can be formed above the first semiconductor region. A first portion of a second conductive busbar can be formed above the second semiconductor region. A second portion of the second conductive busbar can be formed above the second semiconductor region, where a separation region separates the second portion and the first portion of the second conductive busbar. A third conductive busbar can be formed above the first semiconductor region. A first conductive bridge can be formed above the separation region, where the first conductive bridge electrically connects the first conductive busbar to the third conductive busbar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell, including: a substrate; an emitter, a first passivation film, an antireflection film and a first electrode sequentially disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; a tunneling layer, a retardation layer, a field passivation layer, a second passivation film and a second electrode sequentially disposed on a lower surface of the substrate. The retardation layer is configured to retard a migration of a doped ion in the field passivation layer to the substrate. The retardation layer includes a first retardation sub-layer overlapping with a projection of the second electrode and a second retardation sub-layer misaligning with a projection of the second electrode, and at least the second retardation sub-layer is an intrinsic semiconductor. A thickness of the first retardation sub-layer is smaller than a thickness of the second retardation sub-layer in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating one-dimensional metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate and parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of emitter regions for the solar cell. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal lines corresponding to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The plurality of metal lines is parallel along the first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A temperature difference power generation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a thermoelectric conversion element configured to convert thermal energy into electric energy based on a temperature difference, radiation fins which are thermally connected to a low-temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion element and contactable to outside air, and a pipe which is thermally connected to a high-temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion element and through which a high-temperature fluid at a higher temperature than the outside air is flowable.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a window, an energy and light producing device including at least one transparent photovoltaic device and at least one non-transparent Organic Light Emitting Device (OLED) in an optical path of the window. A controller may control the operation of the non-transparent OLED of the energy and light producing device. An energy storage device may be electrically coupled to the controller and the energy and light producing device to store energy generated by the transparent photovoltaic device and to power the non-transparent OLED. In some implementations, a LED or OLED may be mounted in the frame of the window and may be powered by the energy storage device.

Abstract: A solar cell module according to the present disclosure includes a photoelectric converter, a collector electrode electrically connected to the photoelectric converter, and a wiring material (3) electrically connected to the collector electrode, wherein the collector electrode includes: a first electrode film (9A) formed on a photoelectric converter side; and a second electrode film (9B) formed on at least a wiring material side of the first electrode film (9A) so that part of a surface of the first electrode film (9A) on the wiring material side is exposed, and wherein the collector electrode and the wiring material (3) are electrically connected to each other with solder (11) connected to the part of the surface of the first electrode film (9A) exposed from the second electrode film (9B) and to a surface of the second electrode film (9B).

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

Abstract: A method of thermoelectric power generation by converting heat to electricity via the use of a ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material, wherein a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material is greater than or equal to 7% at a temperature difference of up to 800 K.