Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics.

Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics is presented. The system includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics. Methods and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the method for predicting power output of one or more solar panels in a solar plant based on cloud characteristics are also presented.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a composite down-converting layer disposed on the device, is presented. The composite down-converting layer includes down-converting material particles dispersed in a matrix. The size of the down-converting material particles is a function of a difference in respective refractive indices (?n) of the down-converting material and the matrix such that: (i) for ?n less than about 0.05, the size of down-converting material particles is in a range from about 0.5 micron to about 10 microns, and (ii) for ?n at least about 0.05, the size of down-converting material particles is in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 500. A photovoltaic module having a plurality of such photovoltaic devices is also presented.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device having a down-converting layer disposed on the device, is presented. The down-converting layer have a graded refractive index, wherein a value of refractive index at a first surface of the down-converting layer varies from a value of refractive index at a second surface of the layer. A photovoltaic module having a plurality of such photovoltaic devices is also presented.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device having a down-converting layer is presented. The device includes a glass plate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is exposed to ambient radiation. A transparent conductive layer is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the glass plate. The device further includes a first type semiconductor layer disposed adjacent to the transparent conductive layer and a second type semiconductor layer disposed adjacent to the first type semiconductor layer. The down-converting layer is interposed between the second surface of the glass plate and the transparent conducting layer. The down-converting layer exhibits an effective refractive index that has a value between the respective refractive indices of the glass plate and the transparent conductive layer. A photovoltaic module having a plurality of such photovoltaic devices is also presented.