Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for creating solar cell assemblies with bonded interlayers are disclosed. In summary, the present invention describes an apparatus and method for making a solar cell assembly with transparent conductive bonding interlayers. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, a first solar cell, coupled to a first side of the substrate, wherein the first solar cell comprises a first Transparent Conductive Coating (TCC) layer coupled to a first polarity electrode of the first solar cell, and a second solar cell, the second solar cell being bonded to the first solar cell by bonding the first TCC layer to the second solar cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a solar cell assembly. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, at least a first solar cell, coupled to a first side of the substrate, the first side of the substrate to be exposed to light such that the at least first solar cell generates a current when exposed to the light, and a bypass diode, formed on a second side of the substrate, the second side of the substrate being substantially opposite the first side of the substrate, such that the bypass diode is monolithically integrated with the at least first solar cell.

Abstract: A metamorphic avalanche photodetector includes a substrate, and an active structure supported on the substrate. The active structure has a metamorphic absorption structure that absorbs light and responsively produces primary charge carriers, and an avalanche multiplication structure that receives the primary charge carriers from the metamorphic absorption structure and responsively produces secondary charge carriers. An output electrical contact is in electrical communication with the active structure to collect at least some of the secondary charge carriers. A buffer layer lies between the substrate and the active structure, between the active structure and the output electrical contact, or between the metamorphic absorption structure and the avalanche multiplication structure. A lattice parameter of the buffer layer varies with position through a thickness of the buffer layer.