Abstract: The invention is a method to optimize solar photovoltaic power plant repowering by making use of the smart predictive and preventive maintenance which detects failures in modules or in cells within modules, i.e., aerial inspections by infrared thermography and/or electroluminescence. In the method object of the invention, the detected failed modules are separated in different types of failures: A—irreversible; B—reversible and C—partly reusable. Repowering consists on substituting modules of type A for new, more powerful ones, and re-group them series-connected within the same strings (1). Modules with type B failures are repaired and installed back in their original place, and modules C are either re-grouped in series-strings, or substituted by new, more powerful modules, also series connected in strings (1).

Abstract: The invention is a method to optimize solar photovoltaic power plant repowering by making use of the smart predictive and preventive maintenance which detects failures in modules or in cells within modules, i.e., aerial inspections by infrared thermography and/or electroluminescence. In the method object of the invention, the detected failed modules are separated in different types of failures: A—irreversible; B—reversible and C—partly reusable. Repowering consists on substituting modules of type A for new, more powerful ones, and re-group them series-connected within the same strings (1). Modules with type B failures are repaired and installed back in their original place, and modules C are either re-grouped in series-strings, or substituted by new, more powerful modules, also series connected in strings (1).

Abstract: Holographic concentration solar modules (1), which concentrate the solar light into photovoltaic solar cells (2), integrated into urban and street elements (3), such as street lamps, bus stops, motorway toll booths, charging facilities, advertising sites, kiosks, amongst others, are disclosed. The holographic solar concentration modules (1) carry out passive tracking and the design thereof may be adapted to any surface. The efficient capturing of solar light in any position is guaranteed with the design versatility of the hologram included in the solar module (1). Therefore, in the present invention, in each one of the applications, a constructive element is substituted by a holographic solar concentration module (1). For example, it forms the support of a solar street lamp, the cover of a bus stop or of a toll booth, or the structure of an advertising site, amongst others. The solar module (1) constitutes in this way photovoltaic integration (BIPV) into urban and street elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar panel with three-dimensional (3D) unitary structures or cavities that is made entirely of plastic materials and applicable to both a thermal solar panel and a photovoltaic solar module. The difference between both cases is that in the first case, the structure incorporates pipes (6) for a heat-carrying fluid, whereas in the second case it is provided with photovoltaic solar cells (8). The type of material with which they are constructed also differs: while the entire panel in both cases is still made of plastic or polymeric materials, the thermal solar application uses materials with very low thermal conductivity for retaining heat, whereas the photovoltaic application is carried out with materials with high thermal conductivity precisely for dissipating heat and preventing a decrease in cell efficiency due to heating.

Abstract: A high throughput reactor for the mass production of wafers through chemical vapor deposition, mainly to form silicon epitaxies for the photovoltaic industry, is described. Main innovation is a high susceptor stacking density: several graphite susceptors are placed vertically and parallel to one another, electrically interconnected, and are heated by Joule effect. Electrical current gets to the susceptors from the current source through specially designed feedthroughs, which connect the cold room outside the deposition chamber with the hot susceptors. Gas flows vertically between susceptors. The substrates on which deposition occurs are placed on the susceptors. Below the susceptors a pre-chamber is found, in which entering gas calms down and distributes homogeneously. Susceptors and pre-chamber are placed inside a stainless steel chamber, which is internally covered by a reflecting material, and externally kept cold by water.

Abstract: A high throughput reactor for the mass production of wafers through chemical vapor deposition, mainly to form silicon epitaxies for the photovoltaic industry, is described. main innovation is a high susceptor stacking density: several graphite susceptors are placed vertically and parallel to one another, electrically interconnected, and are heated by Joule effect. Electrical current gets to the susceptors from the current source through specially designed feedthroughs, which connect the cold room outside the deposition chamber with the hot susceptors. Gas flows vertically between susceptors. The substrates on which deposition occurs are placed on the susceptors. Below the susceptors a pre-chamber is found, in which entering gas calms down and distributes homogeneously. Susceptors and pre-chamber are placed inside a stainless steel chamber, which is internally covered by a reflecting material, and externally kept cold by water.