Abstract: A photovoltaic module employing an array of photovoltaic cells disposed between two optically transparent substrates such as to define a closed-loop peripheral area of the module that does not contain a photovoltaic cell. The module is sealed with a peripheral seal along the perimeter; and is devoid of a structural element affixed to an optically transparent substrate and adapted to mount the module to a supporting structure. The two substrates may be bonded together with adhesive material and, optionally, the peripheral seal can include the adhesive material. The module optionally includes diffraction grating element(s) adjoining respectively corresponding PV-cell(s).

Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a polymeric film positioned on an incident light side of the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the polymeric film transmits a range of wavelengths of the incident light spectrum and specularly reflects wavelengths outside of the range. An encapsulant layer is in contact with the polymeric film. The polymeric film may have a first surface area larger than a second surface area of the layer of photovoltaic cells. The polymeric film may have one or more through-holes so that encapsulant can penetrate through the through-holes at elevated temperature during lamination thereby bonding to a front glass of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a solar cell that includes providing a semiconductor growth substrate; depositing on said growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; applying a metal contact layer over said sequence of layers; affixing the adhesive polyimide surface of a permanent supporting substrate directly over said metal contact layer and permanently bonding it thereto by a thermocompressive technique; and removing the semiconductor growth substrate.

Abstract: A type-II tunnel junction is disclosed that includes a p-doped AlGaInAs tunnel layer and a n-doped InP tunnel layer. Solar cells are further disclosed that incorporate the high bandgap type-II tunnel junction between photovoltaic subcells.

Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a multi-junction light energy conversion element including a material having a band gap suitable for a light energy conversion layer located upstream in an incidence direction of light. The present disclosure provides a light energy conversion element, comprising a first light energy conversion layer containing SrZn2N2 and a second light energy conversion layer containing an light energy conversion material. The light energy conversion material has a narrower band gap than the SrZn2N2.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion module 100 comprises: a glass substrate 20; a photoelectric conversion cell 12 provided on a first surface side of the glass substrate 20; a pair of wirings 50 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion cell, the wirings pulled out to a second surface side, the second surface side being an opposite side of the first surface of the glass substrate 20; and an insulator 60 provided between a positive-polarity wiring of the pair of wirings 50 and the second surface of the glass substrate 20.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first layer having a first-layer lattice parameter, a second layer having a second-layer lattice parameter different from the first-layer lattice parameter, wherein the second layer includes a photoactive second-layer material; and a third layer having a third-layer lattice parameter different from the second-layer lattice parameter, wherein the third layer includes a photoactive third-layer material. A transparent buffer layer extends between and contacts the second layer and the third layer and has a buffer-layer lattice parameter that varies with increasing distance from the second layer toward the third layer, so as to lattice match to the second layer and to the third layer. There may be additional subcell layers and buffer layers in the solar cell.

Abstract: A thermoelectric watch including a thermoelectric generator; a voltage booster connected to the thermoelectric generator; an energy management circuit connected to the voltage booster and configured to control the charging of at least one energy storage element, the energy management circuit including an output configured to change from a first logic state to a second logic state when the thermoelectric generator starts generating electrical energy, and to change from the second logic state to the first logic state when the thermoelectric generator finishes generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module incorporates a lamination including a back-sheet, an array of solar cells supported on the back-sheet, and a transparent protective covering over the array of solar cells. The solar cells are arranged in offset or staggered patterns on the back-sheet to present a more random and less rigid industrial appearance to an observer. In some cases, cleaved solar cell segments are arranged into groups that are staggered on the back-sheet. This allows for finer control of the net voltage produced by a module. In other embodiments, full single wafer solar cells are arranged into larger groups, which themselves are staggered on the back-sheet. In either case, the result is a photovoltaic module with an appearance that is more organic and acceptable to homeowners and architects than traditional modules having cells arranged in rigid aligned rows and columns.

Abstract: Provided is a perovskite solar cell, and more particularly, a perovskite solar cell including an organometal halide layer having a perovskite structure; and a crystalline material layer stacked while forming an interface with the organometal halide layer, wherein a crystalline material of the crystalline material layer is a crystalline halide having a crystal structure different from the perovskite structure, and the crystalline halide has a band gap energy higher than a band gap energy of an organometal halide of the organometal halide layer, and has a valence band maximum energy level lower than a valence band maximum energy level of the organometal halide.

Abstract: Optically-thin, quantum-structured solar cells incorporating III-V quantum wells or quantum dots have the potential to revolutionize the performance of photovoltaic devices. Enhanced spectral response characteristics have been widely demonstrated in both quantum well and quantum dot solar cells using a variety of different III-V materials. To fully leverage the extended spectral response of quantum-structured solar cells, new device designs are disclosed that can both maximize the current generating capability of the limited volume of narrow band gap material and minimize the unwanted carrier recombination that degrades the voltage output.

Abstract: An optomechanical system for absorbing light or emitting light, comprising as static frame element, an optical arrangement, a light absorbing/emitting substrate and a shifting mechanism. The shifting mechanism moves at least one layer of the optical arrangement relative to the light absorbing/emitting substrate or vice versa, wherein the movement is through one or more translation element relative to the static frame element in such a way that the transmitted light can be optimally absorbed by the light absorbing/emitting substrate, or that the incident light emitted by the light absorbing/emitting substrate can be optimally transmitted by the optical arrangement. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a corresponding method for absorbing light or emitting light with the aforementioned optomechanical system.

Abstract: A photochemical electrode includes: an electrically conductive layer; and a photoexcitation material layer provided over the electrically conductive layer and including a photoexcitation material, wherein the photoexcitation material layer is one of a first photoexcitation material layer in which a potential of the conduction band minimum decreases from a second surface opposite to a first surface on the side of the electrically conductive layer toward the first surface and a second photoexcitation material layer in which a potential of the valence band maximum decreases from the second surface toward the first surface.

Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a first tunneling layer entirely formed over a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive type area disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode including a first electrode connected to the first conductive type area.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material may be composed of an isostructural pair of Heusler compounds, either a pair of full Heusler (FH) X2YZ compounds or a pair of half Heusler (HH) XYZ compounds. In the FH pair, a first compound of the pair may the formula (X1)2Y1Z1, wherein X1 is selected from Fe and Co; Y1 is selected from Ti, V, Nb, Hf, and Ta; and Z1 is selected from Al, Ga, Si, and Sn and a second compound of the pair has the formula (X2)2Y2Z2, wherein X2 is selected from Mn, Fe, Co, Ru, and Rh; Y2 is selected from Ti, V, Mn, Zr, Nb, Hf, and Ta; and Z2 is selected from Be, Al, Ga, Si, Ge and Sn. The first and second compounds of the pair may share two elements in common and have third elements which are different and are either isovalent or have a valency which differs by ±1.

Abstract: A perovskite-based solar cell comprising a transparent electrode disposed on a buffer layer that protects the perovskite from damage during the deposition of the electrode is disclosed. The buffer material is deposited using either low-temperature atomic-layer deposition, chemical-vapor deposition, or pulsed chemical-vapor deposition. In some embodiments, the perovskite material is operative as an absorption layer in a multi-cell solar-cell structure. In some embodiments, the perovskite material is operative as an absorption layer in a single junction solar cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalytic power generation apparatus depending on an ambient humidity difference. The power generation apparatus comprises a photocatalytic power generation unit driven by a humidity difference, a power storage assembly and a sunlight collection and emission assembly. The photocatalytic power generation unit driven by the humidity difference comprises an anode gas channel, a screen type photoelectric anode material, a moisture-permeable proton exchange membrane, a screen type cathode material and a cathode gas channel in sequence from one side to the other side. The photocatalytic power generation unit of the apparatus converts gas humidity difference potential energy in the anode and cathode gas channels into electric energy by a photocatalytic electrochemical reaction under an illumination condition and stores the converted electric energy into the power storage assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a rapidly deploying transportable power system for generating power. The rapidly deploying transportable power system embodiment disclosed herein can have a plurality of frame members containing a plurality of solar panels. Any embodiments of the rapidly deploying transportable power system can also have a transport enclosure configured to support the plurality of frame members and a rail system coupleable with the transport enclosure, the rail system being configured to support the plurality of frame members outside of the transport enclosure. In any embodiments, the plurality of frame members can be positionable within the transport enclosure with one frame member positionable above another frame member. Furthermore, the plurality of frame members can be movable along the rail system to positions outside of the transport enclosure along the track system.

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel is formed by providing a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected by interconnect structures between a front-side insulating sheet extending over the plurality of photovoltaic cells and a backside insulating sheet extending under the plurality of photovoltaic cells, adjoining an edge portion of the front-side insulating sheet to an edge portion of the backside insulating sheet in an adhesion region, and folding at least one of the front-side insulating sheet or the backside insulating sheet over peripheral photovoltaic cells of the plurality of photovoltaic cells.