Abstract: Methods and devices are described for a photovoltaic device and substrate structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a CdTe absorber layer, the substrate structure including a Zn1-xMgxO window layer and a low conductivity buffer layer. Another embodiment is directed to a process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device including forming a Zn1-xMgxO window layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process and vapor transport deposition process. The process including forming a CdTe absorber layer above the Zn1-xMgxO window layer.

Abstract: Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module with a plurality of PV-cells. The PV-cells are of a type having a plurality of back side contacts. A by-pass diode connection path is formed in the back side connection layer along an edge direction of two adjacent cells with a straight or meandering pattern around outer contacts of the plurality of back side contacts of the two adjacent cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure is disclosed that includes a back contact layer that includes single wall carbon nanotube elements. The single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) back contact is in electrical communication with an adjacent semiconductor layer and provides a buffer characteristic that impedes elemental metal migration from the back contact into the semiconductor active layers. In one embodiment, the SWNT back contact includes a semiconductor characteristic and a buffer characteristic. In another embodiment, the SWNT back contact further includes a metallic characteristic.

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: A photoelectric conversion device of an embodiment has a substrate, a bottom electrode on the substrate, a light absorbing layer on the bottom electrode, an n-type layer on the light absorbing layer, a transparent electrode on the n-type layer, and an oxide layer on the transparent electrode. nA and nB satisfy the relation 100/110?nB/nA?110/100. nA is the refractive index of the transparent electrode. nB is the refractive index of the oxide layer.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate containing a first impurity of a first conductivity type and made of a crystalline semiconductor, an emitter region positioned on the substrate and containing a second impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, the emitter region being made of a non-crystalline semiconductor, a surface field region positioned on the substrate and containing a third impurity of the first conductivity type, the surface field region being made of non-crystalline semiconductor, a first electrode connected to the emitter region, and a second electrode connected to the surface field region, wherein at least one of the emitter region and the surface field region is made of amorphous metal silicide containing a metal material.

Abstract: A thermocouple ribbon features a pair of flat conductors and first and second layers of a polyimide film covering the conductors. The polyimide film preferably is coated with a fluoropolymer, such as fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). During manufacture of the thermocouple ribbon, the first and second layers of polyimide film, with the pair of flat conductors positioned there between, are heated above the melting temperature of the FEP. The completed thermocouple ribbon is then cooled. A thermocouple connector may then be attached to a first end of the thermocouple ribbon, while a welded thermocouple junction may be formed at a second end of the thermocouple ribbon.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises a solar cell panel and a frame. A holding portion of a frame piece constituting the frame includes: a base extending upper than the panel upper surface of the solar cell panel from a main body portion 30B and covering a panel side surface; a nail portion extending from the base to the side of the solar cell panel and covering the panel upper surface; a drainage hole formed by notching a part of the base, said part being positioned lower than the panel upper surface; and a water guide portion formed by notching the nail portion from a connection portion.

Abstract: A solar system is provided comprising a light receiving surface, a condensation subassembly, a water collection subassembly, and a cleaning subassembly. The expansion chamber of the condensation subassembly is thermally coupled to the light receiving surface and thermally insulated from the ambient such that expansion of compressed air in the expansion chamber, as controlled by the compressed air expansion valve, encourages humidity condensation on the light receiving surface by reducing the temperature of the light receiving surface. The water collection subassembly comprises a water collection vessel and water direction hardware positioned to direct condensed water on the light receiving surface to the water collection vessel. The cleaning subassembly comprises a water dispensing unit positioned to dispense water from the water collection vessel over the light receiving surface of the solar system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to increase a speed of airflow through a heat exchanger are described. An optoelectronic device comprising a heat exchanger is coupled to an airflow accelerator. The airflow accelerator comprises a surface to guide the airflow towards the heat exchanger. An optical element is coupled to concentrate light onto the optoelectronic device. The size of the surface, position of the airflow accelerator relative to the heat exchanger, or both can determine increase in speed of the airflow. A photovoltaic (“PV”) system comprises rows of receivers; rows of optical elements to concentrate light onto the receivers, and rows of airflow accelerators coupled to the receivers to increase the speed of airflow through heat exchangers. The airflow can be deflected by an airflow accelerator towards a heat exchanger. A wind load can be reduced by the airflow accelerator.

Abstract: A secondary cell is provided that enables cost reduction and stable operation with a simple configuration and greatly exceeds the capacity of a lithium-ion cell. In a secondary cell, a conductive first electrode is formed on a substrate. An n-type metal oxide semiconductor layer, a charging layer for charging energy, a p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer, and a second electrode are laminated. The charging layer is filled with an n-type metal oxide semiconductor of fine particles. By a photoexcited structural change phenomenon caused by ultraviolet irradiation, a new energy level is formed in a band gap of the n-type metal oxide semiconductor. An electron is captured at the newly formed energy level, thereby charging energy. The charging layer is charged by connecting a power source between the first electrode and the second electrode. It is also possible to charge energy by light, using a transparent electrode.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power module comprising: a thermoelectric element employing a bismuth-tellurium (Bi—Te) based thermoelectric material; at least one barrier layer disposed on the thermoelectric element; an electrode; an electrode protection layer disposed at least on one principal surface of the electrode; a solder layer having a side surface formed with a recess, the solder layer joining a first region of the electrode protection layer to the at least one barrier layer; and a coating film disposed on a side surface of the thermoelectric element, a side surface of the at least one barrier layer, and the side surface of the solder layer, the coating film covering a second region adjacent to the first region of the electrode protection layer and being filled into the recess of the solder layer.

Abstract: Known photovoltaic cells with wrap through connections have output terminals of both polarities on its back surface, one of which is coupled to the front surface via the wrap through connections. The invented solar cell is manufactured by creating an emitter layer on the back surface. Electrode material is applied in mutually separate first and second areas on the back surface. The electrode material in the first area contacts the emitter. The second area covers a surrounding of a hole that provides for the connection on the back surface. The electrode material in the second area lies on the emitter and around the second area the emitter is interrupted by a trench. On the front surface a further area of electrode material is applied over the hole. If necessary the electrode material in the second area on the back surface is applied on a supporting surface that is substantially electrically isolated from current flowing laterally through the emitter layer underneath the first area.

Abstract: A method for forming an energy generating device which includes two layers of dissimilar materials in terms of electron density and configuration in contact with each other, sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. The two layers of dissimilar materials are each formed as a paste or ink and include an ionic material absorbed or incorporated into the two layers of dissimilar material. The ionic material facilitates the flow of electrons within the device, thereby creating a cell with an electric potential across an interface of the two layers of dissimilar material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a composite having a first electrically conducting component and second low thermal conductivity component. The first component may include a semiconductor and the second component may include an inorganic oxide. The thermoelectric composite includes a network of the first component having nanoparticles of the second component dispersed in the network.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an emitter-less solar cell design featuring p-or-n type GaAs with alternating p-n junction regions on the back-surface of the cell, opposite incident solar irradiance. Various layers of p-or-n type GaAs are interfaced together to collect charge carriers, and a thin layer of AlGaAs is applied to the front and back surfaces to prevent recombination of charge carriers. In some embodiments, the layered and doped structure generally provides an AlGaAs window layer of about 20 nm doped to about 3×(1018) cm?3, a GaAs absorption layer of about 1200 nm doped to about 2×(1017) cm?3, an AlGaAs heterojunction layer of about 20 nm doped to about 3×(1018) cm?3, and a GaAs contact layer of about 20 nm doped to about 1×(1019) cm?3. Additionally, AlGaAs BSF-heterojunction layer and GaAs BSF-contact layers each have a depth of about 20 nm and are doped to about 3×(1018) cm?3 and 1×(1019) cm?3 respectively.

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 thermoelectric conversion sheet possessing flexibility. The thermoelectric conversion sheet includes a magnetic layer, an electricity-generating layer that is formed on the magnetic layer so as to contact with the magnetic layer and that is formed of a material exhibiting spin orbit coupling, and a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the electricity-generating layer so as to contact with the electricity-generating layer. The first electrode and the second electrode extend in a longitudinal direction of the thermoelectric conversion sheet, and are separated from each other in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a repeatedly chargeable and dischargeable quantum battery that is available for a long period of time without an aging change. The quantum battery is charged by causing an n-type metal oxide semiconductor to have a photo-exited structural change, thereby the electrode of quantum battery is prevented from being oxide and a price reduction and stable operation are possible. The repeatedly usable quantum battery is constituted by laminating; a first metal electrode having an oxidation preventing function, charging layer in which an energy level is formed in the band gap by causing an n-type metal oxide semiconductor covered with an insulating material to have a photo-exited structure change and electrons are trapped at the energy level; p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer; and a second metal electrode having the oxidation preventing function, the electrodes are passive metal layers formed of metals having passive characteristics.

Abstract: A flexible dye-sensitized solar cell includes: a fiber layer formed of nanofibers; a conductive electrode layer formed on one side of the fiber layer; a photoelectrode layer formed on the conductive electrode layer; a counter electrode layer formed on the other side of the fiber layer; a sealing member for enclosing the fiber layer, the conductive electrode layer, the counter electrode layer and the photoelectrode layer therein so as to seal said layers from the outside; and an electrolyte infiltrated into the fiber layer. A cell body in which an electrode and a photoelectrode are formed on one surface of the fiber that contains an electrolyte therein and a counter electrode is formed on the other side of the fiber is sealed with a polymer film, thus forming a flexible solar cell having an excellent sealing structure for preventing the electrolyte from leaking out of the cell even when pressure is externally applied.