Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods of dry stripping boron-carbon films. In one embodiment, alternating plasmas of hydrogen and oxygen are used to remove a boron-carbon film. In another embodiment, co-flowed oxygen and hydrogen plasma is used to remove a boron-carbon containing film. A nitrous oxide plasma may be used in addition to or as an alternative to either of the above oxygen plasmas. In another embodiment, a plasma generated from water vapor is used to remove a boron-carbon film. The boron-carbon removal processes may also include an optional polymer removal process prior to removal of the boron-carbon films. The polymer removal process includes exposing the boron-carbon film to NF3 to remove from the surface of the boron-carbon film any carbon-based polymers generated during a substrate etching process.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly is provided. The cleaning assembly includes a plate having a front surface and a back surface and a manifold affixed to an edge of the plate. The manifold has a plurality of outlets extending therefrom. The plate further includes a plurality of cups extending through the plate. The plurality of cups have an upper body with an outlet extending from the back surface and the plurality of cups have a sealing portion coupled to the upper body and extending from the front surface of the plate. Each outlet of the upper body is coupled to one of the corresponding plurality of outlets of the manifold. The plate also includes a plurality of alignment pins extending from the front surface of the plate. The plurality of alignment pins are configured to support an edge of a substrate, wherein one of the plurality of alignment pins is slidably mounted to the plate. A plurality of guide pins extends the same distance from the back surface.

Abstract: A pet waste removal device including an elongated hand held boom having an open bottom shield disposed at a bottom end of the boom for positioning over a pile of animal waste. A motor driven agitator is disposed within the shield and driven by a motor to rotate between a counterclockwise and a clockwise rotation to mechanically break up pet waste. Fluid jet nozzles are supplied water via a garden hose connection and are arranged to direct water jets into the shield to wash away the pet waste as it is broken up by the agitator. A chemical dispenser for dispensing a chemical solution can also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow passage change-over unit provided to a spray arm of a dishwasher having a plurality of channels, including a change-over unit body for making reciprocating movement according to a water pressure, a body rotating unit secured to an circumferential surface of the change-over unit body for rotating the change-over unit body, and channel opening holes in a closed side of the change-over unit body for opening some of the plurality of supply holes according to a rotation angle of the change-over unit body.

Abstract: A spray assembly for an automatic dishwasher is described. The spray assembly includes a conduit for receiving pressurized washing liquid. The spray assembly further includes a spray body having two or more spray arms. Each spray arm has a plurality of orifices for distributing washing liquid throughout the dishwasher. The spray arms share a common central axis and are generally planar with one another. The spray arms each define a separate fluid path from the conduit to the orifices that is separated from the other fluid path(s) by one or more walls.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella includes an awning frame, a supporting shaft and an adjustable rotation base including a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing is arranged to couple with the supporting shaft to support the awning frame in an upright manner, and includes a plurality of transferring wheels. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode, wherein in the idle mode, the transferring wheels are suspenedly lifted up to position above the bottom edge of the base housing such the base housing is sat on the ground surface in a stationary manner, wherein in the transportation mode, the base housing is lifted up by air pressure for allowing the transferring wheels to move out of the receiving cavity at a position below the bottom edge of the base housing.

Abstract: An outdoor umbrella includes an awning frame, a supporting shaft and an adjustable rotation base including a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing is arranged to couple with the supporting shaft to support the awning frame in an upright manner, and includes a plurality of transferring wheels. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode, wherein in the idle mode, the transferring wheels are suspenedly lifted up to position above the bottom edge of the base housing such the base housing is sat on the ground surface in a stationary manner, wherein in the transportation mode, the base housing is lifted up by air pressure for allowing the transferring wheels to move out of the receiving cavity at a position below the bottom edge of the base housing.

Abstract: An adjustable rotation base includes a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing has a bottom side, an upper side for coupling with the supporting post to support the outer umbrella in an upright manner, and a receiving cavity indently formed on the bottom side of the base housing, wherein the base housing includes a stationary unit provided at the bottom side for sitting on the ground surface in a stationary manner, and a plurality of transferring wheels rotatably supported at the bottom side of the base housing. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode in which the stationary unit is upwardly lifted to allow the transferring wheels being sitting on the ground surface, such that the base housing is adapted to be transported on the ground surface via the transferring wheels.

Abstract: A collapsible truss assembly is described herein. One component includes a layered u-bracket including a first u-bracket connected to the collapsible truss assembly, having a first channel, a first surface opposing the channel, and a first aperture that spans from the first surface to the first channel and is of a particular diameter. The layered u-bracket also includes a second u-bracket having a second channel, a second surface opposing the second channel, and a second aperture that spans from the second surface to the second channel and is of the particular diameter. For the layered u-bracket, the second channel is flush with the first surface, and the first and second apertures are aligned.

Abstract: An integrated back-sheet for a solar cell module with a plurality of electrically connected solar cells and a back-contact solar module made with the integrated back-sheet are provided. The back-sheet comprises a homogeneous polymeric substrate with a thickness of at least 0.25 mm. The polymeric substrate comprises 20 to 95 weight percent chlorosulfonated polyolefin and 1 to 50 weight percent of adhesive, based on the weight of the polymeric substrate. The adhesive is selected from thermoplastic and thermoset polymer adhesives and rosin based tackifiers. The integrated back-sheet also includes a plurality of electrically conductive metal wires disposed directly on a surface of the homogeneous polymeric substrate, and the opposite surface of the polymeric substrate is an exposed surface.

Abstract: Solar module arrays are described, including a solar module for photovoltaic energy generation, a connection housing connected to the solar module for connecting the solar module to an electric load, and a free-wheeling diode connected antiparallel to the solar module. A diode cable is also described.

Abstract: A first solar cell and a first solar cell are electrically connected to each other in such a manner that a conductive member made of a metal foil which is of the same type as that of the wiring member and one side portion of a wiring member are bonded together using a resin adhesive and the other side portion of the wiring member and the second solar cell are bonded together using a resin adhesive. A volume content of conductive particles in the resin adhesive is larger than a volume content of conductive particles in a resin adhesive bonding the wiring member and the solar cell together.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a solar cell device which is manufacturable even if a substrate has wire marks on its surfaces, without causing breakage, etc. in collector electrodes. A solar cell according to the present invention includes a crystalline silicon substrate. The crystalline silicon substrate has its surfaces provided with collector electrodes including finger electrodes and bus bar electrodes. The finger electrodes are formed in parallel to wire marks which are present in the crystalline silicon substrate.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells may be distributed upon an inner surface of a perimeter of a tubular structure. The tubular structure may be installed in the roof of a habitable or uninhabitable structure to provide low-profile solar energy.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a main frame, pivotal first and second frames to both sides of the main frame respectively, solar panels on the frames, a vertical axle under the main frame, two hydraulic cylinders each having one end pivotably secured to the vertical axle and the other end secured to the bottom of the first or second frame, a support comprising two spaced inclined members pivotably secured to the bottom of the main frame, an extension board on an intermediate portion of the vertical axle, the bottom of the support being pivotably connected to the vertical axle, a telescopic actuating member secured to the extension board and engaged with the bottom of the main frame proximate to an edge of the main frame, a rotational seat rotatably secured to the vertical axle, and a vertical moving device comprising a platform for supporting the rotational seat.

Abstract: A heliostat includes a heliostat frame and a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface is movably mounted within the heliostat frame. The heliostat also includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each individual actuator of the plurality of actuators is associated with a single reflective surface of the plurality reflective surfaces and capable of moving the single reflective surface.

Abstract: A multi junction photovoltaic cell device includes a lower cell and an upper cell operably coupled to the lower cell. The lower cell includes a lower glass substrate material, a lower electrode, and a first terminal coupled to the lower electrode through the lower glass substrate material. The lower cell includes a lower absorber characterized by a bandgap smaller than 1 eV overlying the lower electrode and a lower window overlying the lower absorber and a lower transparent-conductive oxide coupled to a second terminal overlying the lower window. The upper cell includes a p+-type transparent conductor coupled to a third terminal. The upper cell further has an upper p-type absorber with a bandgap in a range of 1.6 to 1.9 eV overlying the p+-type transparent conductor and has an upper n-type window overlying the upper p-type absorber, an upper transparent-conductive oxide coupled to a fourth terminal overlying the upper n-type window.

Abstract: A solar tracking system and methods based on passive tracking of solar illumination impinging on solar panels. The system includes a solar panel having cardinal points of the panel provided with piston assemblies. Actuating of pistons in the piston assemblies orients the solar panel to maximize solar illumination impinging on the solar panel. A conduit facilitates flow of a fluid between a solar illumination sensor and piston assembly based on changes in temperature of a canister and fluid contained within the canister. The heating of the fluid causes the fluid to flow toward and activate the piston assembly to rotate the solar panel about a longitudinal axis or lateral axis, which passively orients the solar panel in a position to maximize solar illumination impinging on a front face of the solar panel.

Abstract: A solar cell module having sub-units of solar cells connected in parallel, the sub-units being connected in series. To enable individual adjustment to the impinging light intensity distribution such that substantially the same photocurrent is generated in each sub-unit, the solar cells have at least first and second solar cells, which each have radiation-sensitive surfaces that are different from each other, and at least one sub-unit of the solar cell module has a first and at least one second solar cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, in particular a heliostat or photovoltaic device, having a stand (12), having a carrier device (14) disposed thereon and mounted rotatably about an azimuth axis (36) on the stand (12) and comprising a rotary beam (18) on which a support frame (17) for receiving at least one reflector (16) or at least one photovoltaic module is pivotally disposed, so that the support frame (17) can pivot about an elevation axis (37), having a hydraulic drive controller (28) actuating at least one hydraulic lift cylinder (25, 26) for inducing the rotary motion about the azimuth axis (36) and at least one hydraulic lift cylinder (27) for inducing the pivot motion about the elevation axis (37), wherein at least one azimuth drive (34) comprising at least the one hydraulic lift cylinder (25, 26) actuating the rotary motion of the rotary beam (18) is disposed in the interior (44) of the rotary beam (18).

Abstract: A solar cell array is described which can be designed in particular as a thin-film solar module. A production method for a solar cell array is further described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a diode assembly of a photovoltaic module from compressive and tensile forces by providing at least one interior shielding element are provided. According to various embodiments, a photovoltaic module including a first encasing layer, a second encasing layer, at least one photovoltaic cell disposed between the first and second encasing layers, at least one shielded diode assembly disposed on the at least one photovoltaic cell and electrically connected to the at least one photovoltaic cell, and a pottant disposed between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the second encasing layer is provided. A localized shielding element may be used to shield the diode assembly.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion module is disclosed. In one embodiment, the photoelectric conversion module includes i) a plurality of photoelectric cells spaced apart from each other, wherein a perimeter is defined to surround the photoelectric cells, and wherein the perimeter does not pass through the spaces between neighboring photoelectric cells, ii) an electrolyte provided in the photoelectric cells and iii) a plurality of sealing frits surrounding the photoelectric cells, respectively, wherein each of the sealing frits is continuously formed.

Abstract: The structure installation mount of the present invention is including cross-pieces 11 used for mounting a structure and fastening devices 15 used for securing the cross-pieces 11 to a foundation. The fastening device 15 has a supporting plate 15c having formed therein at least two through holes 15f spaced apart lengthwise of the cross-piece 11 when mounted to the cross-piece 11, and a base plate 15a having formed therein an elongated aperture 15e whose long dimension is equal to or longer than the distance measured in the most remote through holes between the perimeter edges of the through holes that are at their greatest distance apart lengthwise of the cross-piece 11. When the respective through holes overlapping with the through holes 15f formed in supporting plate 15c are viewed as a single group, the cross-piece 11 has multiple groups of through holes 11h formed in the longitudinal direction of the cross-piece 11.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for levitating and conveying sand, dust or melting snow deposits off the surface of objects, in particular solar panels, mirrors, glass objects and the like.

Abstract: A Schottky Barrier solar cell having at least one of a low work function region and a high work function region provided on the front or back surface of a lightly-doped absorber material, which may be produced in a variety of different geometries. The method of producing the Schottky Barrier solar cells allows for short processing times and the use of low temperatures.

Abstract: A solar cell having n-type and p-type interdigitated back contacts (IBCs), which cover the entire back surface of the absorber layer. The spatial separation of the IBCs is in a direction perpendicular to the back surface, thus providing borderless contacts having a zero-footprint separation. As the contacts are on the back, photons incident on the cell's front surface can be absorbed without any shadowing.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell for producing energy from the sun including a germanium substrate including a first photoactive junction and forming a bottom solar subcell; a gallium arsenide middle cell disposed on said substrate; an indium gallium phosphide top cell disposed over the middle cell; and a surface grid including a plurality of spaced apart grid lines, wherein the grid lines have a thickness greater than 7 microns, and each grid line has a cross-section in the shape of a trapezoid with a cross-sectional area between 45 and 55 square microns.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method for fabrication include multijunction cells, each cell having a material grown independently from the other and including different band gap energies. An interface is disposed between the cells and configured to wafer bond the cells wherein the cells are configured to be adjacent without regard to lattice mismatch.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method of making a photovoltaic device are disclosed. The method includes laminating an organic layer onto an inorganic semiconductor layer. A first electrical contact is electrically coupled to the organic layer and a second electrical contact is coupled to the inorganic semiconductor layer. The inorganic semiconductor layer may include a second organic layer. At least one of the organic layer and the second organic layer may form a heterojunction with the inorganic semiconductor layer. The organic layer may further comprise a metal layer. At least one of the organic layer, the inorganic semiconductor layer and the metal layer may be patterned.

Abstract: Method of depositing a TCO layer on a substrate, of depositing precursors of a solar cell and precursors of a solar cell are described. The methods includes DC sputtering a ZnO-containing transparent conductive oxide layer over the substrate, the substrate having a size of 1.4 m2 or above and texturing the ZnO-containing transparent conductive oxide layer, wherein the textured ZnO-containing transparent conductive oxide layer has a root means square roughness of 60 nm or below.

Abstract: A solar cell 10 of the present invention comprises a first semiconductor layer 13 of n-type or i-type, a second semiconductor layer 14 of n-type or i-type, and a third semiconductor layer 15 of p-type, and said first, second and third semiconductor layers are laminated in that order. Then, electron affinity x1 [eV] of said first semiconductor layer 13 and electron affinity x2 [eV] of said second semiconductor layer 14 satisfy a relationship of 0<(x2?x1)<=0.3.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first layer having a first-layer lattice parameter, a second layer having a second-layer lattice parameter different from the first-layer lattice parameter, wherein the second layer includes a photoactive second-layer material; and a third layer having a third-layer lattice parameter different from the second-layer lattice parameter, wherein the third layer includes a photoactive third-layer material. A transparent buffer layer extends between and contacts the second layer and the third layer and has a buffer-layer lattice parameter that varies with increasing distance from the second layer toward the third layer, so as to lattice match to the second layer and to the third layer. There may be additional subcell layers and buffer layers in the solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention is a solar cell 500 comprising the substrate 510 made of a crystalline semiconductor, an i-type semiconductor layer 520a and an i-type semiconductor layer 520b each made of an amorphous semiconductor, and a first-conductivity type semiconductor layer 530 and a second-conductivity type semiconductor layer 540 each made of an amorphous semiconductor, in which by catalytic chemical vapor deposition in which catalyzers decompose raw gas when being heated by receiving an electric current, the i-type semiconductor layer 520a is formed on the principle plane 515a by the catalyzer placed at the position facing the principle plane 515a, the i-type semiconductor layer 520b is formed on the principle plane 515b by the catalyzer placed at the position facing the principle plane 515b are formed on the i-type semiconductor layer 520a and the i-type semiconductor layer 520b on the substrate 510.

Abstract: A multilayer window structure for a solar cell comprises one or more layers where the bottom layer has an intrinsic material lattice spacing that is substantially the same as the emitter in the plane perpendicular to the direction of epitaxial growth. One or more upper layers of the window structure has progressively higher band gaps than the bottom layer and has intrinsic material lattice spacing is substantially different than the emitter intrinsic material lattice spacing.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to contact grids for use in photovoltaic cells, wherein a cross-section of the contact grid fingers is shaped as a trapezoid, as well as a method of making photovoltaic cells comprising these contact grids. The contact grids of the instant disclosure are cost effective and, due to their thick metal grids, exhibit minimum resistance. Despite having thick metal grids, the unique shape of the contact grid fingers of the instant disclosure allow the photovoltaic cells in which they are employed to retain more solar energy than traditional solar cells by reflecting incoming solar energy back onto the surface of the solar cell instead of reflecting this energy away from the cell.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] Provided is a coating composition excellent in antifouling properties, transparency and hydrophilicity and capable of maintaining surface hydrophilicity even at high temperature. [Solution] A coating composition containing (A) a metal oxide particle having a number average particle size of 1 nm to 400 nm, and (B) a polymer particle, in which the content of an aqueous-phase component in the component (B), represented by the following expression (I), is 20 mass % or less. The content of the aqueous-phase component (%)=(dry mass of a filtrate obtained by filtering the component (B) at a molecular cutoff of 50,000)×(100?total mass of solid content)/(mass of the filtrate?dry mass of the filtrate)×100/the total mass of solid content??(I).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell sealing film that the crosslinking or curing time is reduced, and high transparency is maintained in high temperature and humidity environment over a long duration. A solar cell sealing film comprising an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer, a crosslinker, and crosslinking auxiliary agents, wherein the solar cell sealing film comprises a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate having 5 or more (meth)acryloyl groups in the molecule and triallyl isocyanurate as the crosslinking auxiliary agents, and a mass ratio of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate to the triallyl isocyanurate is 0.06 to 0.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell assembly that includes a solar cell attached to a bonding pad and a cooling substrate, wherein the bonding pad is attached to a surface of the cooling substrate by a thermally conductive adhesive and electrically contacted to the bonding pad and cooling substrate by a bonding wire. Alternatively, the bonding pad is attached to a surface of the cooling substrate by a thermally and electrically conductive adhesive.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to focusing luminescent concentrators wherein directional emission, obtained by placing an absorber/emitter within a microcavity or photonic crystal, may be oriented by a macroscopic concentrator and focused to a point or line for 3D or 2D concentration, respectively. The focusing luminescent concentrators disclosed herein may provide high concentration ratios without the need for tracking, and may reduce re-absorption losses associated with conventional concentrators. The present disclosure further relates to photovoltaic cells and/or optical detector devices comprising a focusing luminescent concentrator. The devices and methods presently disclosed are also useful, for example, in solar, thermal and thermophotovolatic applications.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent color solar cell, which includes a substrate, a first electrode layer disposed on the substrate, a transparent material layer including quantum dots having the same particle size, which absorb visible light provided from the sun through the first electrode layer and having a first wavelength region, and which selectively transmit visible light provided from the sun through the first electrode layer and having a second wavelength region, and a second electrode layer disposed on the transparent material layer.

Abstract: A construction material structure for use with solar power includes a panel having an outer top side provided thereon with an adhesive element and connected to a bottom side of at least one solar cell via the adhesive element. The panel is a baked enamel steel plate, an aluminum plate, or a plastic plate. A thermal insulation element is disposed on an inner bottom side of the panel. The thermal insulation element is made of polyurethane (PU) foam or gypsum. The adhesive element is an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) film or a Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) film. Another adhesive element is disposed on a top side of the at least one solar cell. A high-transparency high-light-concentration film is disposed on the another adhesive element. A coarse face including projections is disposed on an outer surface of the high-transparency high-light-concentration film. The high-transparency high-light-concentration film is made of Teflon (TEFZEL), Polyester (PET) or Polycarbonate (PC).

Abstract: A back side protective sheet disposed on a back side of a solar cell module and including a first film containing linear low-density polyethylene having a density greater than or equal to 0.91 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.93 g/cm3 and an inorganic ultraviolet absorbing agent; and a second film being laminated on the first film, with a urethane adhesive layer being interposed therebetween. An average particle diameter of the inorganic ultraviolet absorbing agent is greater than or equal to 0.1 ?m and less than or equal to 5 ?m. The first film contains the inorganic ultraviolet absorbing agent greater than or equal to 0.1% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass.

Abstract: There is provided a solar cell module capable of discharging water retained on the upper surface of a solar cell panel therefrom while maintaining the mechanical strength of a frame body. This solar cell module includes a gasket including a groove to discharge the water retained on the upper surface of the solar cell panel, arranged between the solar cell panel and the frame body.

Abstract: The solar cell module includes a plate, a sheet opposed to the plate, a filler layer provided between the plate and the sheet, and a solar cell disposed inside the filler layer. The filler layer includes a first filler layer and a second filler layer. The first filler layer is provided to come into contact with the sheet. The first filler layer contains, as a main component, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The second filler layer contains, as a main component, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer which is smaller in vinyl acetate content than the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer contained in the first filler layer, or polyethylene.

Abstract: A solar cell comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a superlattice semiconductor layer interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer, wherein the superlattice semiconductor layer has a stacked structure in which quantum layers and barrier layers are stacked alternately and repeatedly, wherein the stacked structure is formed whereby a miniband is formed by a quantum level of the quantum layers on the side of a conduction band, wherein an energy level at a bottom of the miniband is lower than an energy level at a bottom of the conduction band of the barrier layers, and an energy level at a top of the miniband is higher than an energy level, which is lower than the energy level at the bottom of the conduction band of the barrier layers by an amount twice as much as thermal energy at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the dye compound: wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, H, C1-C12alkoxy or a halogen; and D1 and D2 are, independently, C1-C12alkyl, or D1, D2 and N form one of The dye compound is applicable to a dye-sensitized solar cell for increasing photoelectric efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: A method of operating a multiple-use, aquifer-based system includes pumping fluid out of an aquifer (or multiple aquifers) with a pump and selectively diverting the pumped fluid to a pumped-storage reservoir for subsequent return to the aquifer through a turbine to generate electricity hydroelectrically or to a fluid-utilizing system configured to utilize the pumped fluid in an application that is not related to the hydroelectric generation.

Abstract: A fluid transferer, including a volume changing part; a reciprocating member configured to reciprocate to expand a volume of the volume changing part to draw a fluid from an upstream side of a transfer direction and compress the volume thereof to transfer the drawn fluid to a downstream side thereof with pressure; and a drive controller configured to control reciprocation of the reciprocating member such that a time for compressing the volume of the volume changing part is longer than a time for expanding the volume thereof.

Abstract: The manifold of the invention is designed to vent respective high and low pressure sources of fluid pressure from beneath the foils of a pressure transmitter and directing the vented fluid, respectively, through high and low pressure passageways to high and low pressure vents of the manifold. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manifold has a primary and a secondary vent valve for each of the high and low pressure passageways through the manifold. A method of venting the manifold is also described.