Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes an array of photovoltaically active microstructures each having a generally cylindrical outer periphery and a reflective metal portion on one side thereof. The photovoltaic device is oriented such that the metal portions face away from the sun, reflects light into a respective photovoltaically active microstruture, and provides a conductive path for charge carriers in parallel to an outer conductive layer, which may be a transparent conductive oxide layer. Direction deposition of metal can be employed to form the reflective metal portions.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device according to one embodiment includes an array of photovoltaically active microstructures each having a generally cylindrical outer periphery, each microstructure comprising a first photovoltaic layer over a core, and a second photovoltaic layer over the first photovoltaic layer thereby forming a photovoltaically active junction, wherein an outer conductive layer is positioned over the second photovoltaic layer, wherein an index of refraction of the outer conductive layer is less than an index of refraction of the second photovoltaic layer, wherein the index of refraction of the second photovoltaic layer is less than an index of refraction of the first photovoltaic layer, each of the microstructures being characterized as absorbing at least 70% of light passing an inner surface of an outer layer thereof. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device according to one embodiment includes an array of photovoltaically active microstructures each having a generally cylindrical outer periphery and a dome-shaped tip, each of the microstructures being characterized as absorbing at least 70% of light passing through an outer layer thereof. Additional embodiments are also presented.