Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped in response to an electric assisted braking threshold level that is adjusted responsive to vehicle speed so that opportunities to automatically stop an engine may be increased, thereby conserving fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, an engine may be automatically stopped in response to an electric assisted braking threshold level that is adjusted responsive to vehicle speed so that opportunities to automatically stop an engine may be increased, thereby conserving fuel.

Abstract: Solar devices with high resistance to light-induced degradation are described. A wide optical bandgap interface layer positioned between a p-doped semiconductor layer and an intrinsic semiconductor layer is made resistant to light-induced degradation through treatment with a hydrogen-containing plasma. In one embodiment, a p-i-n structure is formed with the interface layer at the p/i interface. Optionally, an additional interface layer treated with a hydrogen-containing plasma is formed between the intrinsic layer and the n-doped layer. Alternatively, a hydrogen-containing plasma is used to treat an upper portion of the intrinsic layer prior to deposition of the n-doped semiconductor layer. The interface layer is also applicable to-multi-junction solar cells with plural p-i-n structures. The p-doped and n-doped layers can optionally include sublayers of different compositions and different morphologies (e.g., microcrystalline or amorphous).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved thin film solar cell, wherein at least one additional resistive transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer is incorporated into the solar cell. The additional resistive TCO electrically separates the conductive TCO layers acting as electrodes of such a cell and thus decreases or prevents performance losses. Furthermore, methods for the production of such solar cells are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of coating a substrate with a zinc oxide film. The method includes (a) providing a substrate with at least one substantially flat surface, (b) subjecting the surface at least partially to a plasma-etching process, and (c) depositing on the etched surface, a layer that includes zinc oxide. The method is particularly suitable for manufacturing solar cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromorph tandem cell is disclosed. The micromorph tandem cell comprises a ?c-Si:H bottom cell and an a-Si:H top cell, an LPCVD ZnO front contact layer and a ZnO back contact in combination with a white reflector. The method comprises the steps of applying an AR—Anti-Reflecting—concept to the micromorph tandem cell; implementing an intermediate reflector in the micromorph tandem cell. The micromorph tandem cell can achieve a stabilized efficiency of 10.6%.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic device on a substrate is being realized by a method for manufacturing a p-i-n junction semiconductor layer stack with a p-type microcrystalline silicon layer, a p-type amorphous silicon layer, a buffer silicon layer comprising preferably intrinsic amorphous silicon, an intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer, and an n-type silicon layer over the intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin film solar device that includes providing a substrate having a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer deposited on a surface of the substrate, the TCO layer having an as deposited sheet resistance. At least a portion of a surface of the TCO layer is exposed to a hydrogen plasma under conditions which result in a treated TCO layer having a reduced sheet resistance which is at least 10% less than the as deposited sheet resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of coating a substrate with a zinc oxide film, the method comprising the steps of: Providing a substrate with at least one substantially flat surface; Subjecting said surface at least partially to a plasma-etching process; Depositing a layer on said etched surface, the layer comprising zinc oxide. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for manufacturing solar cells with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromorph tandem cell is disclosed. The micromorph tandem cell comprises a ?c-Si:H bottom cell and an a-Si:H top cell, an LPCVD ZnO front contact layer and a ZnO back contact in combination with a white reflector. The method comprises the steps of applying an AR—Anti-Reflecting—concept to the micromorph tandem cell; implementing an intermediate reflector in the micromorph tandem cell. The micromorph tandem cell can achieve a stabilized efficiency of 10.6%.

Abstract: Micromorph tandem cells with stabilized efficiencies of 11.0% have been achieved on as-grown LPCVD ZnO front TCO at bottom cell thickness of just 1.3 ?m in combination with an antireflection concept. Applying an advanced LPCVD ZnO front TCO stabilized tandem cells of 10.6% have been realized at a bottom cell thickness of only 0.8 ?m. Implementing intermediate reflectors in Micromorph tandem cell devices allow for, compared to commercial SnO2, reduced optical losses when LPCVD ZnO is used. At present highest stabilized cell efficiency reached 11.3% incorporating an in-situ intermediate reflector with a bottom cell thickness of 1.6 ?m.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic device on a substrate is being realized by a method for manufacturing a p-i-n junction semiconductor layer stack with a p-type microcrystalline silicon layer, a p-type amorphous silicon layer, a buffer silicon layer comprising preferably intrinsic amorphous silicon, an intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer, and an n-type silicon layer over the intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved thin film solar cell, wherein at least one additional resistive transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer is incorporated into the solar cell. The additional resistive TCO electrically separates the conductive TCO layers acting as electrodes of such a cell and thus decreases or prevents performance losses. Furthermore, methods for the production of such solar cells are disclosed.