Abstract: A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

Abstract: A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided for solar cell laminates that include an encapsulating layer and that are conveyed through a lamination plant having a conveying surface. The assembly includes a housing of heat conductive material defining an inner volume, the housing having an upper plate for receiving the laminates and a lower plate defining a plurality of apertures, the inner volume including at least one connecting element interconnecting the first and second plates. An air supply system provides a continuous outward air flow through the apertures when the lower plate is received on the conveying surface, wherein the airflow yields an elevated pressure on the lower plate for providing lift to the housing, allowing substantially friction-free movement of the housing relative to the conveying surface. A thermal transfer system provides thermal energy to the upper plate for melting and curing the encapsulating layer.

Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor based wafer, which defines a front surface for exposure to solar light and an opposite back surface. The semiconductor based wafer includes a plurality of p-n junctions each exposed to solar light at the front surface, and the plurality of p-n junctions are electrically connected in series to provide a voltage substantially higher than the voltage of a single p-n junction.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for temporary accommodation of one or more solar cell laminates while the solar laminates are conveyed through a lamination plant. The solar cell laminate comprises a solar cell layer of silicon material, an upper and a lower encapsulating layer of EVA material covering the top and bottom of the solar cell layer, an upper and lower protective layer covering the upper and lower encapsulating layer, respectively. The encapsulating layer has a specific melting temperature and a specific curing temperature; the melting temperature is lower than the curing temperature.

Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor based wafer, which defines a front surface for exposure to solar light and an opposite back surface, The semiconductor based wafer includes a plurality of p-n junctions each exposed to solar light at the front surface, and the plurality of p-n junctions are electrically connected in series to provide a voltage substantially higher than the voltage of a single p-n junction.

Abstract: A bifacial solar cell including a semiconductor substrate wafer, a first active area of a first conductivity type provided on at least a part of a first side of the wafer and a second active area of a second conductivity type provided on a second side of the wafter, the edge face of the wafter and the periphery of said first side of the wafter. The first active area and second active area are separated by a distance .lambda., the distance .lambda. allowing a leakage current to flow between the first and second active areas.

Abstract: Doped areas on semiconductor components are made by applying to a portion of the surface of a semiconductor substrate an oxide forming mask layer which contains dopant, said semiconductor substrate with the mask layer being heated to a temperature sufficient for diffusion of part of the dopant from the mask layer to the semiconductor substrate, where also undesirable auto-doping of the unprotected surfaces of the semiconductor substrate takes place during the doping process, for which reason the auto-doped areas of the semiconductor substrate are etched away by alkaline etching or plasma etching, said mask layer constituting a protective barrier for the doped areas below the mask layer. In the production of a solar cell with two doped areas of the P and N conductor types, respectively, the distance between the two doped areas may be used for adjusting the gradient of the dark current with a diode biased in the blocking direction.

Abstract: The solar cell module comprises a housing (10) having at least one aperture (15) with associated concentrator (12). Light energy, propagated along the optical principal axis (45) of the concentrator, passes through the aperture (15) and is concentrated on a primary photoactive area (20). The solar cell module moreover comprises a secondary photoactive area (30) arranged in the housing (10) so as to be illuminated by light energy which is propagated in a direction different from the optical principal axis (45) of the concentrator.