Abstract: Fabrication of a double-sided photovoltaic cell, with two opposite active surfaces, comprising a step of depositing, on each active surface, at least one electric contact. The deposition step comprises in particular a shared operation of depositing on each of the active surfaces, implemented by electrolysis in a shared electrolysis tank comprising: a first compartment for depositing a metal layer on a first active surface of the cell, for fabrication of a contact comprising said metal layer on the first active surface; and a second compartment for depositing, by oxidation, a metal oxide conductor layer on the second active surface of the cell, for the fabrication of a contact comprising said metal oxide layer on the second active surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer material comprising an assembly of layers, called “front layers”, capable of forming a front photovoltaic cell, and an assembly of layers, called “rear layers”, capable of forming a rear photovoltaic cell, wherein the front layer assembly and the rear layer assembly are electrically insulated by an insulating layer of epitaxial material.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic cells, separated from each other; a support receiving the cells; and a light guide in contact with the cells and comprising a primary guide with a surface that is proximal to the cells, where the proximal surface is oriented towards the cells and the support. The photovoltaic device comprises, between the cells, areas located between the support and the primary guide which comprise a material with an index of refraction less than that of the proximal surface, where the material is in contact with the proximal surface.

Abstract: Fabrication of a double-sided photovoltaic cell, with two opposite active surfaces, comprising a step of depositing, on each active surface, at least one electric contact. The deposition step comprises in particular a shared operation of depositing on each of the active surfaces, implemented by electrolysis in a shared electrolysis tank comprising: a first compartment for depositing a metal layer on a first active surface of the cell, for fabrication of a contact comprising said metal layer on the first active surface; and a second compartment for depositing, by oxidation, a metal oxide conductor layer on the second active surface of the cell, for the fabrication of a contact comprising said metal oxide layer on the second active surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer material comprising an assembly of layers, called “front layers”, capable of forming a front photovoltaic cell, and an assembly of layers, called “rear layers”, capable of forming a rear photovoltaic cell, wherein the front layer assembly and the rear layer assembly are electrically insulated by an insulating layer of epitaxial material.

Abstract: A method and device for electrodeposition in cylindrical geometry. A method for electrochemically depositing a thin layer on a flexible substrate, comprising: providing, in an electrolysis bath, a first closed cylinder in a second hollow cylinder, applying the flexible substrate to one of the surfaces chosen from the outer surface of the first cylinder and the inner surface of the second, the flexible substrate forming a first electrode, providing, in the electrolysis bath, a second electrode, and applying a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode in order to electrodeposit the thin layer on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic cells, separated from each other; a support receiving the cells; and a light guide in contact with the cells and comprising a primary guide with a surface that is proximal to the cells, where the proximal surface is oriented towards the cells and the support. The photovoltaic device comprises, between the cells, areas located between the support and the primary guide which comprise a material with an index of refraction less than that of the proximal surface, where the material is in contact with the proximal surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a photosensitive device, comprising: a first step of preparing, on a substrate, at least a first photosensitive portion, active within a range of wavelengths, the first portion being surrounded by a second portion that is inactive. A material, covering the first portion, is selectively arranged into a hydrophilic layer by an electrochemical process. The second portion comprises a hydrophobic material on an upper surface opposite the substrate. The method further comprises the following steps: spraying on the upper surfaces of the first and second portions a liquid comprising a transparent material, and forming a converging lens containing the material, above the first portion.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component that includes at least one first array of photovoltaic nano-cells is disclosed. Each photovoltaic component includes an optical nano-antenna exhibiting an electromagnetic resonance in a first resonant spectral band, at least one lateral dimension of the optical nano-antenna being subwavelength in size, and a spectral conversion layer allowing at least part of the solar spectrum to be converted to said first resonant spectral band.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a photosensitive device, comprising: a first step of preparing, on a substrate, at least a first photosensitive portion, active within a range of wavelengths, the first portion being surrounded by a second portion that is inactive. A material, covering the first portion, is selectively arranged into a hydrophilic layer by an electrochemical process. The second portion comprises a hydrophobic material on an upper surface opposite the substrate. The method further comprises the following steps: spraying on the upper surfaces of the first and second portions a liquid comprising a transparent material, and forming a converging lens containing the material, above the first portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device with light concentration, comprising: a first step of fabricating, on a substrate, a first array of photovoltaic cells from a stack of layers deposited on the substrate, the cells of the first array being connected to a first group of electrical connectors, a second step of forming a light concentration system above the cells of the first array. It further comprises: a third step, prior to at least the second step, of forming on the substrate a second array of photovoltaic cells from a stack of layers deposited on the substrate, the cells of the second array being interspersed with the cells of the first array and connected to a second group of electrical connectors, and being without a light concentration system.

Abstract: A method and device for electrodeposition in cylindrical geometry. A method for electrochemically depositing a thin layer on a flexible substrate, comprising: providing, in an electrolysis bath, a first closed cylinder in a second hollow cylinder, applying the flexible substrate to one of the surfaces chosen from the outer surface of the first cylinder and the inner surface of the second, the flexible substrate forming a first electrode, providing, in the electrolysis bath, a second electrode, and applying a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode in order to electrodeposit the thin layer on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component that includes at least one first array of photovoltaic nano-cells is disclosed. Each photovoltaic component includes an optical nano-antenna exhibiting an electromagnetic resonance in a first resonant spectral band, at least one lateral dimension of the optical nano-antenna being subwavelength in size, and a spectral conversion layer allowing at least part of the solar spectrum to be converted to said first resonant spectral band.

Abstract: Thin-layer photovoltaic cell structure with mirror layer. The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell structure intended for solar panel applications. The thin layer photovoltaic cell structure comprises at least one I-III-VI2 alloy layer (CIGS) with photovoltaic properties for the conversion of illuminating light into electricity. In particular, the structure comprises at least: one mirror layer (MR) comprising a surface reflecting (FR) a part of the illuminating light, where said reflecting surface (FR) is facing a first face (F1) of the I-III-VI2 alloy layer for receiving reflected illuminating light on said first face; and one or more first layers (CA, ENC) transparent to the illuminating light for receiving transmitted illuminating light on a second face (F2) of the I-III-VI2 alloy layer opposite to the first face (F1).

Abstract: A method for preparing an A-B-C2 or A2-(Dx,E1-x)-C4 absorber thin film for photovoltaic cells where 0?x?1, A is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 11, B is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 13, C is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 16, D is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 12, and E is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 14. Said method includes: a step of electrochemically depositing oxide from elements selected from among Groups 11, 12, 13, and 14, a step of annealing in a reducing atmosphere, and a step of supplying an element from Group 16.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of thin layers of semiconductor alloys of the I-III-VI2 type, including sulphur, for photovoltaic applications, whereby a heterostructure is firstly deposited on a substrate comprising a thin layer of precursor I-III-VI2 which is essentially amorphous and a thin layer, including at least some sulphur, the heterostructure is then annealed to promote the diffusion of the sulphur into the precursor layer and the at least partial crystallization of the I-III-VI2 alloy of the precursor layer with a stoichiometry which hence includes sulphur. A layer of selenium may also be deposited to assist the recrystallization processes or annealing.

Abstract: A heat treatment of a precursor that reacts with temperature, and that comprises in particular the steps of: preheating or cooling a heat-transfer gas to a controlled temperature, and injecting the preheated or cooled gas over the precursor. Advantageously, besides the temperature of the heat-transfer gas, the following are also controlled: the flow rate of the gas at the injection over the precursor, and also a distance between the precursor and an outlet for injection of the gas over the precursor, in order to finely control the temperature of the precursor receiving the injected gas.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component including a set of layers suitable for producing a photovoltaic device is disclosed. The component has at least one first layer made of a conductive material forming a back electrical contact, a second layer made of a material that is absorbent in the solar spectrum, and a third layer made of a transparent conductive material forming a front electrical contact, and an electrically insulating layer arranged between said back electrical contact and said front electrical contact. The third layer is discontinuous in order to allow said layers of said set of layers to be stacked in one or more zones to form, in each of these zones, an active photovoltaic zone, and a fourth layer made of a conductive material, making electrical contact with said third layer made of a transparent conductive material, to form a peripheral electrical contact for each of said photovoltaic microcells.

Abstract: A method for preparing an A-B-C2 or A2-(Dx, E1—x)-C4 absorber thin film for photovoltaic cells where 0?x?1, A is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 11, B is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 13, C is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 16, D is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 12, and E is an element or mixture of elements selected within Group 14. Said method includes: a step of electrochemically depositing oxide from elements selected from among Groups 11, 12, 13, and 14, a step of annealing in a reducing atmosphere, and a step of supplying an element from Group 16.

Abstract: A process for producing a photovoltaic structure that includes a thin coating film, generally made of a transparent conductive oxide, deposited on top of a sublayer having photovoltaic properties. The coating film is deposited electrochemically in an electrolysis bath and at least partly assisted by illumination coming from a light source.