Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a gallium arsenide based photovoltaic device includes providing a semiconductor structure, the structure including an absorber layer comprising gallium arsenide. A bypass function is provided in a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure, where under reverse-bias conditions the p-n junction breaks down in a controlled manner by a Zener breakdown effect.

Abstract: A thin-film photoelectric converter in which a first electrode layer formed of a transparent conductive material, a photoelectric conversion layer for photoelectric conversion, and a second electrode layer formed of a conductive material that reflects light are stacked in that order on an insulating light-transmitting substrate. The photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode layer are divided by dividing grooves into islands that form a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated from each other, adjacent ones of the plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated by the dividing grooves being electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A solar cell module having an interconnector and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells and an interconnector including a first area electrically connected to one of two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells, a second area electrically connected to the other of the two adjacent solar cells, and a third area connecting the first area to the second area. At least one of the first area and the second area of the interconnector has at least one uneven surface, and the third area of the interconnector has a substantially planarized surface.

Abstract: A solar cell and a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells are discussed. The solar cell according to an embodiment includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type disposed on the substrate, a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to the emitter layer, a second electrode electrically connected to the substrate, a first current collector electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes, and a second current collector electrically connected to the second electrode. The second current collector includes a plurality of second electrode current collectors electrically connected to the second electrode, and a current collector connector for connecting the plurality of second electrode current collectors to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell module. The solar cell module includes a solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells; a protective substrate on the solar cell panel; and a ventilation unit for ventilating the solar cell panel.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvester and power conversion system employs a bleed air duct containing the flow of high temperature air from an engine. A lower temperature air source is included with an energy conversion device having a hot interface operably engaged to the bleed air duct and a cold interface operably engaged to the lower temperature air source. The energy conversion device generates electrical power from a thermal gradient between the bleed air duct and the lower temperature air source and the electrical power is routed to a power feeder.

Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic unit being an optical system base unit includes: a concentrating portion configured to converge sunlight; a cell configured to receive light converged by the concentrating portion to generate power; a package including a frame portion, the frame portion having insulating property and surrounding the cell, the package being in integrated relation with the cell; a shield plate provided between the concentrating portion and the cell, and including an opening allowing light converged by the concentrating portion to selectively pass therethrough; and a protection plate being a heat-resistant member provided on the frame portion to make the cell expose to the light and to shield the package, the protection plate being in contact with nothing but the frame portion, and securing a predetermined insulation distance from a live portion of the cell.

Abstract: An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed as well as an installed photovoltaic array using attachment apparatus. One embodiment provides a rail for receiving a PV module, including a rail member located substantially beneath at least a portion of a second photovoltaic module and having a first end located near a gap between a first and second photovoltaic modules. An embodiment also provides a second photovoltaic module which is substantially coplanar with and located between a first and third photovoltaic modules and wherein said rail member is connected to the first, second, and third photovoltaic modules and attached to a support structure by a first and second attachment brackets.

Abstract: This solar cell module (1) comprises a plurality of solar cell arrays (11). Each solar cell array (11) includes a plurality of spherical semiconductor elements (20) arranged in a row, at least a pair of bypass diodes (40), and a pair of lead members (14) that connect the plurality of spherical semiconductor elements (20) and the plurality of bypass diodes (40) in parallel. Each of the lead members (14) includes one or plural lead strings (15) to which the plurality of spherical semiconductor elements (20) are electrically connected and having a width less than or equal to the radius of the spherical semiconductor element (20), and plural lead pieces (16) formed integrally with the lead strings (15) at least at both end portions of the lead member (14), on which the bypass diodes (40) are electrically connected in reverse parallel to the spherical semiconductor elements (20), and having width larger than or equal to the width of the bypass diodes (40).

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator unit according to this disclosure includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators, each of which generates electromotive force based on a difference in temperature between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. The unit further includes a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical connection for the generators and a container housing the generators inside. The container includes a shell surrounding the generators and a pair of plates, at least one of which has a plurality of openings and channels. Each channel houses an electrically conductive member. The generators are electrically connected together in series via the electrically conductive member. At least one of the channels has an interconnection which connects at least two of the openings together and a testing hole portion. The testing hole portion runs from the interconnection through an outer edge of the at least one plate.

Abstract: A solar cell module is discussed. The solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including a plurality of first current collectors and a plurality of second current collectors, a first protective layer positioned on incident surfaces of the solar cells, a transparent member positioned on the first protective layer, and a conductive pattern part positioned on non-incident surfaces of the plurality of solar cells. The conductive pattern part includes a first pattern having a plurality of first protrusions connected to first current collectors of one solar cell and a second pattern having a plurality of second protrusions connected to second current collectors of the one solar cell. The plurality of first current collectors and the plurality of second current collectors are positioned on a surface of each solar cell on which light is not incident.

Abstract: A solar cell module having high reliability by increasing heat release of a bypass diode is provided. A solar cell panel including a photoelectric conversion unit, a holding member disposed at a periphery of the solar cell panel to hold the solar cell panel, a heat release plate spaced from the solar cell panel and disposed on the holding member, and a bypass diode attached to the heat release plate so as to be spaced from the solar cell panel and electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit are included. An attachment surface of the bypass diode to the heat release plate is disposed to face the holding member.

Abstract: A thermoelectric structure may include a thermally conductive substrate, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on a surface of the thermally conductive substrate. Moreover, each thermoelectric element may be non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the surface of the thermally conductive substrate. For example, each of thermoelectric elements may be a planar thermoelectric element, and a plane of each of the thermoelectric elements may be oriented obliquely with respect to the surface of the thermally conductive substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a concentrating photoelectric conversion device that can efficiently obtain a power generation amount even if a deflection and a strain are generated. A position shift detection element group (7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D) includes some photoelectric conversion elements in a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements (7n). Some photoelectric conversion elements are disposed with centers of light receiving regions (100) of the photoelectric conversion elements being shifted from a center of a focused spot (300) in upward, downward, rightward, and leftward directions by a predetermined distance in a state where the light receiving surface of the power generation panel is opposite to light. The position shift detection element groups are provided in at least three places on the light receiving surface of the power generation panel to correct a light tracking orbit.

Abstract: A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each cathode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, there is provided a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes a back electrode layer on a substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, and a connection part making contact with the front electrode layer, passing through the light absorbing layer, and making contact with the back electrode layer. The connection part includes a material different from a material constituting the front electrode layer.

Abstract: An antenna includes a solar panel and a signal receiver panel pivotally coupled to and in electrical communication with the solar panel. The antenna also includes a level indicator disposed on the signal receiver panel. The level indicator indicates whether a top surface of the signal receiver panel is horizontally level with respect to a direction of gravity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell apparatus, and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell apparatus includes: dummy parts disposed on a support substrate; a plurality of solar cells disposed on the support substrate and disposed between the dummy parts; and a bus bar electrically connected to the solar cells and disposed between the support substrate and the dummy parts. Each of the solar cells and the dummy parts has a back electrode layer, a light absorbing layer, and a front electrode layer sequentially disposed on the support substrate.

Abstract: A multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a silicon substrate and a dielectric layer formed on the silicon substrate. A germanium layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The germanium includes a crystalline structure that is substantially similar to the crystalline structure of the silicon substrate. A first photovoltaic sub-cell includes a first plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the germanium layer. At least a second photovoltaic sub-cell includes a second plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the first photovoltaic sub-cell that is on the germanium layer that is on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for the purpose of power generation by collecting or reflecting light using a foldable surface for compact transport, comprising of a circular surface divided into sectors, which in a closed folded position each sector is drawn closed by elevating a radius on one side of the sector on a pivot along the radius, and which in an opened position is held rigid by both radial and circumferential support.