Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing films of semiconducting material based on the organic-inorganic metal-halide compounds with perovskite-like structure, which can be used as a light-absorbing layer in solar cells, including thin-film, flexible and tandem solar cells, as well as can be applied for optoelectronic devices, in particular, light emitting diodes. The method is comprising the following steps: (a) applying a layer of a precursor, (b) applying a layer of composite reagent, and (c) treatment of the applied layers by the reagent X2 wherein the composite reagent applied in the step b) contains a mixture of AX and X2 reagents, and the film obtained after the step b) contains the seeds of the phase with a perovskite-like structure; the reagent AX is a salt comprising cation A+ and anion X?, and the anion X? is a singly charged anion; the reagent X2 is a molecular halogen.

Abstract: We disclose herein a viable, cost efficient method for the instantaneous production of hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas production is increased by utilizing solar and lunar energy. The hydrogen gas is generated spontaneously by the reaction of sodium hydroxide and aluminum as corrosion occurs, forming a layer of aluminum oxide upon the aluminum. This aluminum oxide layer prevents further reaction of sodium hydroxide and aluminum, and thus no more hydrogen gas is produced. Production of aluminum oxide can be bypassed by adding acetic acid or sodium acetate to the reaction. In this reaction the products are aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Thus, we disclose herein a method that prevents of the formation of aluminum oxide by the use of sodium acetate or acetic acid, the use of iron as a catalyst, and the enhancement of the reaction using natural light.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions using substrate-level ion implantation, and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a lightly doped region in a semiconductor substrate by ion implantation, the lightly doped region of a first conductivity type of a first concentration. The method also involves forming a first plurality of dopant regions of the first conductivity type of a second, higher, concentration by ion implantation, the first plurality of dopant regions overlapping with a first portion of the lightly doped region. The method also involves forming a second plurality of dopant regions by ion implantation, the second plurality of dopant regions having a second conductivity type of a concentration higher than the first concentration, and the second plurality of dopant regions overlapping with a second portion of the lightly doped region and alternating with but not overlapping the first plurality of dopant regions.

Abstract: A variety of solar panels, light guides (or similar mediums) and light concentrators are configured to increase the power generated by the solar panels. In general embodiments of this system include at least one light guide between at least two solar panels with some light concentrator concentrating the light into the light guide held in some housing.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element including a phase difference detection pixel pair that includes first and second phase difference detection pixels is provided. In particular, each phase difference detection pixel of the first and second phase difference detection pixels includes a first photoelectric conversion unit arranged at an upper side of a semiconductor substrate and a second photoelectric conversion unit arranged within the semiconductor substrate. The first photoelectric conversion film may be an organic film. In addition, phase difference detection pixels may be realized without using a light shielding film.

Abstract: A method for structuring an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer, at least comprising the steps of: Provision of a semiconductor wafer with a top, a bottom and comprising multiple solar cell stacks, wherein each solar cell stack is a Ge substrate, which forms the bottom of the semiconductor wafer, a Ge subcell and at least two III-V subcells, in the above order, and at least one passage opening, which extends from the top to the bottom of the semiconductor wafer and has a connected side wall, an insulating layer two-dimensionally deposited on the top of the semiconductor wafer, on the side wall of the passage opening and/or on the bottom of the semiconductor wafer, and the deposition of an etch-resistant filling material by means of a printing process on an area of the top which comprises the passage opening, and into the passage opening.

Abstract: A solar cell of an embodiment includes a p-electrode, a p-type light-absorbing layer directly in contact with the p-electrode, an n-type layer, and an n-electrode. The n-type layer is disposed between the p-type light-absorbing layer and the n-electrode. A region from an interface between the p-type light-absorbing layer and the p-electrode to 10 nm to 100 nm from the interface in a direction of the n-type layer is a p+ type region including a p-type dopant.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electrical installation at least one of an electrical energy source or an energy sink. The electrical installation is coupled to a power grid. The method includes a period of time having a start time and a duration being specified, an upward flexibility Fo, which includes a forecast maximum feed-in power increase or feed-out power decrease, and a downward flexibility Fu, which includes a forecast maximum feed-out power increase or feed-in power decrease, being set for the period of time, a selling threshold price Pv and a purchasing threshold price Pe being set for the period of time, and an electricity trading transaction being concluded for the period of time. The electricity trading transaction includes a base value, a base quantity, a base price, a date on which the electricity trading transaction is to be carried out.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating conductive contacts for polycrystalline silicon features of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes providing a substrate having a polycrystalline silicon feature. The method also includes forming a conductive paste directly on the polycrystalline silicon feature. The method also includes firing the conductive paste at a temperature above approximately 700 degrees Celsius to form a conductive contact for the polycrystalline silicon feature. The method also includes, subsequent to firing the conductive paste, forming an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the polycrystalline silicon feature and the conductive contact. The method also includes forming a conductive structure in an opening through the ARC layer and electrically contacting the conductive contact.

Abstract: A device includes at least one isolating transformer. An input is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer and configured to receive input from an energy source. At least one power switch is coupled to the isolating transformer. A diode is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer. An energy storage medium is coupled to the diode. An inverter includes one or more inverter switches, an inverter input, and an inverter output. The inverter input is coupled to the diode and the energy storage medium. The inverter output is configured to be coupled to the power network, and the inverter is configured to create AC power for distribution to the power network. A controller is configured to modulate the at least one power switch to control power flow from the input and to modulate the state of the inverter switches to control power flow to the power network.

Abstract: A solar panel racking system that can include end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, L-foot adapter assemblies, rails, and L-foot assemblies. The solar panel racking system minimizes the use of tools by snapping many of the mounting components in place. The end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps can snap over the rail sides and lock into upper detented portions of the rail sides. The upper detented portions are structured to prevent upward movement of the end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps. The L-foot adapter body of the L-foot adapter assembly snaps over lower detented portions of rail sides and secures the rail to an L-foot assembly. The end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, rails, and L-foot adapter assemblies are independent of the L-foot assembly, allowing a selection of L-foot assemblies to be used as appropriate with the solar panel racking system.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery, where the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode active material layer, a lithium layer that is positioned between the negative electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material layer, and a primer layer that is positioned between the negative electrode current collector and the lithium layer, and a manufacturing method thereof. This results in a simple method and a negative electrode with high capacity characteristics.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a photoactive layer including: an electron donor; and an electron acceptor, in which the electron donor includes: a single molecular material; and a polymer material, and the single molecular material is represented by Formula 1, and an organic solar cell including the same.

Abstract: Double-layered protective coatings for lithium metal electrodes, as well as methods of formation relating thereto, are provided. The negative electrode assembly includes an electroactive material layer including lithium metal and a protective dual-layered coating. The protective dual-layered coating includes a polymeric layer disposed on a surface of the electroactive material layer and an inorganic layer disposed on an exposed surface of the polymeric layer. The polymeric layer has an elastic modulus of greater than or equal to about 0.01 GPa to less than or equal to about 410 GPa. The inorganic layer has an elastic modulus of greater than or equal to about 10 GPa to less than or equal to about 1000 GPa.

Abstract: Solar cell and method of manufacturing a solar cell. The solar cell has a silicon substrate (2) and a layer (4) disposed on a substrate side (2a) of the silicon substrate (2). It further has a contact structure (6) extending through the layer (4) from a cell side (1a) of the solar cell (1) to the silicon substrate (2). The layer (4) is composed of a polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and a tunnel oxide layer (10) interposed between the polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and the silicon substrate (2).

Abstract: A stacked multi-junction solar cell with a metallization comprising a multilayer system, wherein the multi-junction solar cell has a germanium substrate forming a bottom side of the multi-junction solar cell, a germanium subcell, and at least two III-V subcells, the multilayer system of the metallization has a first layer, comprising gold and germanium, a second layer comprising titanium, a third layer, comprising palladium or nickel or platinum, with a layer thickness, and at least one metallic fourth layer, and the multilayer system of the metallization covers at least one first and second surface section and is integrally connected to the first and second surface section, wherein the first surface section is formed by the dielectric insulation layer and the second surface section is formed by the germanium substrate or by a III-V layer.

Abstract: A flexible substrate material having opposed front and back sides and extending in an X-Y plane, the front side being provided with a first electrode layer and further provided with at least one thin film to form at least one thin film device stack; the thin film device stack extending from the X-Y plane in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane to a distance T; the substrate material having at least one protective structure applied to at least one of the substrate material sides, the first electrode layer and the at least one thin film; the at least one protective structure extending in the Z direction to a distance S from the X-Y plane, the distance S being greater than the distance T.

Abstract: A wireless electric curtain control system includes a smart curtain, a wireless repeater and a remote control. The remote control is for sending a control signal to the wireless repeater; the wireless repeater is for receiving and sending the control signal to the smart curtain; the smart curtain includes a curtain body, a motor module and a wireless module; the wireless module is for receiving and feeding back the control signal of the wireless repeater to a motor module; the motor module controls the operation of the curtain body according to the control signal received by the wireless module. The wireless repeater sends the control signal to the wireless module of the smart curtain to control the motor module and the smart curtain and increase the signal transmission distance between the smart curtain and the remote control via a wireless transmission.

Abstract: Refractive optical element designs are provided for high geometric optical efficiency over a wide range of incident angles. To minimize Fresnel reflection losses, the refractive optical element designs employ multiple encapsulant materials, differing in refractive index. Concentrator photovoltaic subassemblies are formed by embedding a high efficiency photovoltaic device within the refractive optical element, along with appropriate electrical contacts and heat sinks. Increased solar electric power output is obtained by employing a single-junction III-V material structure with light-trapping structures.

Abstract: The formation of solar cell contacts using a laser is described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming a poly-crystalline material layer above a single-crystalline substrate. The method also includes forming a dielectric material stack above the poly-crystalline material layer. The method also includes forming, by laser ablation, a plurality of contacts holes in the dielectric material stack, each of the contact holes exposing a portion of the poly-crystalline material layer; and forming conductive contacts in the plurality of contact holes.

Abstract: A vertical photodiode includes an active area. The contacting pads for the diode terminals are laterally shifted away from the active area so as to not be located above or below the active area. The active area is formed in a layer of semiconductor material by a lower portion of a germanium area that is intrinsic and an upper portion of the germanium area that is doped with a first conductivity type. The vertical photodiode is optically coupled to a waveguide formed in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: An apparatus for infrared detection includes: an infrared detection element array that includes an array of a plurality of pixels, the array of the plurality of pixels being configured such that a first pixel and a second pixel are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern, the first pixel being a pixel configured to respond to infrared light of a first wavelength, the second pixel being a pixel configured to respond to a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; and a readout circuit configured to be coupled to the infrared detection element array, wherein the first pixel is configured to be coupled to the readout circuit via a first connection electrode, and wherein the second pixel is configured to be coupled to the readout circuit via a second connection electrode, the second connection electrode being an electrode having a height different from that of the first connection electrode.

Abstract: The method of forecasting for solar-based power systems (10) recognizes that no single solar irradiance forecasting model provides the best forecasting prediction for every current weather trend at every time of the year. Instead, the method trains a classifier to select the best solar irradiance forecasting model for prevailing conditions through a machine learning approach. The resulting solar irradiance forecast predictions are then used to allocate the solar-based power systems (10) resources and modify demand when necessary in order to maintain a substantially constant voltage supply in the system (10).

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising creating at least one crack at a point on an edge of a stack of at least a substrate and a superstrate; propagating the crack along the periphery; and moving the superstrate relative to the substrate to complete separation of the superstrate from the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present specification are a wireless power transmission apparatus, and a method therefor. The wireless power transmission apparatus (Tx) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a laser light source unit; a light output unit for outputting, for wireless charging, laser light generated by the laser light source unit to a light receiving unit of a wireless power receiving apparatus; a foreign object (FO) sensing unit for sensing an FO by utilizing supplementary light; and a control unit for controlling the laser light output when an FO is sensed by the FO sensing unit.

Abstract: A solar module comprising a substrate, a honeycomb structure on the substrate, a solar panel on the honeycomb structure, such that the substrate, honeycomb and solar panel form a sandwich having an exterior perimeter, a rotary junction box configured to be manipulated through the substrate between at least first and second electrical configurations, a plurality of electrical couplers along the exterior perimeter, and a plurality of electrical connectors connecting the solar panel, the rotary junction box, and the electrical couplers; wherein the honeycomb structure defines one or more channels and a pocket, the channels facilitating the electrical connectors and the pocket receiving the rotary junction box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative electrode including a multi-protective layer and a lithium secondary battery including the same. The multi-protective layer is capable of effectively transferring lithium ions to a lithium metal electrode while physically suppressing lithium dendrite growth on the electrode surface, and does not cause an overvoltage during charge and discharge since the protective layer itself does not function as a resistive layer due to excellent ion conductivity of the multi-protective layer, and therefore, is capable of preventing battery performance decline and securing stability during battery operation.

Abstract: To achieve higher measurement accuracy, repeated reproducibility, and durability than a probe using a gold thread, a probe used to measure electrical characteristics of a solar battery cell includes one or more thin plates that are conductors. The thin plates each have an elongated thin plate-like main body, one or more contacts that are thin wires extending in a longitudinal direction of the main body, and spring elements that are thin wires connecting the main body to the respective contacts.

Abstract: Provided is an organic photoelectric conversion element including: an electron-collecting electrode; a hole-collecting electrode; and a photoelectric converter, which is arranged between the electron-collecting electrode and the hole-collecting electrode, wherein the photoelectric converter includes at least a first organic compound layer, and wherein the first organic compound layer contains a compound represented by the following general formula [1].

Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a tunneling layer formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive semiconductor layer formed on a surface of the tunneling layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on the surface the tunneling layer. A separation portion separates the first and second conductive semiconductor layers from each other, and is formed on the surface of the tunneling layer at a location corresponding to at least a portion of a boundary between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A plurality of finger electrodes are disposed on a surface of a photoelectric conversion layer 60 and extend in a first direction. The plurality of finger electrodes are arranged in a second direction in which an inter-cell wiring member adapted to be disposed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer extends. A height of each of those of the plurality of finger electrodes disposed toward ends in the second direction from a part of the photoelectric conversion layer where the inter-cell wiring member is adapted to be disposed is larger than a height of the finger electrode disposed at a center in the second direction from the part of the photoelectric conversion layer where the inter-cell wiring member is adapted to be disposed.

Abstract: A commercially available vehicle is modified by coupling a beamed-power transmission system to the vehicle's frame. The beamed-power transmission system is arranged to deliver beamed power to a remote device such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e., UAV or drone). The cooling system of the vehicle is used to cool portions of the beamed-power transmission system. An aiming system aims a power beam produced by the beamed-power transmitter toward the remote device, and a stability system coupled to both the vehicle frame and the beamed-power transmission system maintains three-dimensional constancy of the power beam even when the vehicle frame is in motion. The commercially available vehicle may be an electric vehicle, a gas-electric hybrid vehicle, or the like having a power source that includes batteries, a fuel-cells, or a generator.

Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.

Abstract: This ferritic stainless steel contains, by mass %, C: 0.001% to 0.030%; Si: 0.01% to 1.00%. Mn: 0.01% to 2.00%, P: 0.050% or less, S: 0.0100% or less, Cr: 11.0% to 30.0%, Mo: 0.01% to 3.00%, Ti: 0.001% to 0.050%, Al: 0.001% to 0.030%, Nb: 0.010% to 1.000%, and N: 0.050% or less, with a remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein an amount of Al, an amount of Ti, and an amount of Si (mass %) satisfy Al/Ti?8.4Si-0.78.

Abstract: In an embodiment, measurements are simulated of direct normal irradiance, diffuse horizontal and global horizontal irradiance from groups of two or more photovoltaic arrays and/or irradiance sensors which are located in close proximity to each other and which have different tilt and azimuth angles. Irradiance measurements derived from solar power system power measurements are combined with measurements made by irradiance sensors to synthesize an image of ground level global horizontal irradiance which can be used to create a vector describing motion of that image of irradiance in an area of interest. A sequence of these irradiance images can be transformed into a time series from which a motion vector can be derived.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising an oxide additive and solar cells obtainable therefrom. More specifically, the present invention relates to electro-conductive pastes, solar cell precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The present invention relates to a conductive paste composition comprising the following paste constituents: a. at least about 70 wt. % Ag particles, based on the paste; b. a vehicle; c. a glass; d. an oxide additive comprising MI, MII, and O; wherein MI and MII are different; wherein MI is selected from the group consisting of: V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Ge, As, Sb, Se, Te, Pb and Bi; wherein MII is selected from the group consisting of: V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Ge, As, Sb, Se, Te, Pb, Bi, Mn, Ce, Zn, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; wherein the oxide additive is crystalline according to electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) measurement.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an internal protection circuit structure of photovoltaic modules having independent power generating unit, which includes a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells is combined to form a power generating unit A and a power generating unit B. Polarities of the upper ends of the substrings of solar cell are positive, negative, positive, negative, positive, and negative sequentially from the first column of A to the sixth column of A. Polarities of the lower ends of the substrings of solar cell are positive, negative, positive, negative, positive, and negative sequentially from the first column of B to the sixth column of B. Moreover, the busbar is provided with three separate junction boxes.

Abstract: A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by frames featuring one or more exterior-facing, grooved channels. A first channel—which may be used to mount the panel, and which replaces traditional railing installation systems—and a second channel that is configured to allow movement of one or more panel splices used to secure the panels together. Integrated electrical connection interfaces are provided on opposite side surfaces of the frames to couple with the electrical connection interfaces of adjacent panels to establish an electrical path between them.

Abstract: A drone landing system includes a solar collector to charge the drone at a landing cite of the drone landing system. The solar collector may include a solar collector mounting assembly, preferably comprises a bi-facial solar active component mounted with its solar active face(s) orthogonal to the ground/horizon, at or near its perimeter frame.

Abstract: There is provided herein a fiber including a fiber body with a fiber body material having a longitudinal axis along a fiber body length. A plurality of devices is disposed as a linear sequence of devices within the fiber body. Each device includes at least one electrical contact pad. At least one electrical conductor is disposed within the fiber body. The electrical conductor is electrically connected to an electrical contact pad of devices in the plurality of devices. A weavable device includes at least one device material arranged in a planar device configuration and connected to an electrical contact pad. An electrically insulating, mechanically flexible fiber body material encapsulates the planar device configuration and contact pad and has a fiber body length greater than 10 m. An electrical conductor is electrically connected to a device contact pad and extends the fiber body length.

Abstract: A system includes a housing (105) or enclosure for electrical components. The housing can include a base (106) and a lid (107) pivotably coupled to the base by one or more hinges (108,109). One or more heat-generating electrical components situated within the housing. One or more heat transfer devices (301,302,303,304) couple the housing to a thermal energy sink (207). The heat transfer devices transfer thermal energy generated by the one or more heat-generating electrical components from the housing to the thermal energy sink, thereby increasing the thermal dissipation capability of the housing.

Abstract: A defective photovoltaic cell module is identified without disconnection in a photovoltaic cell string. As a typical embodiment, in a photovoltaic power generation inspection system in a photovoltaic power generation system having a structure in which a plurality of photovoltaic cell strings are connected in parallel, the photovoltaic power generation system detecting a defective module among a plurality of modules included in a defective string, the photovoltaic power generation inspection system includes: a current detector that measures an output current of a photovoltaic cell string without disconnection; and a monitor unit that estimates a defective module based on change in a plurality of output currents each measured by the current detector while the photovoltaic cell modules included in the defective string are sequentially shielded from light by a light shielding member.

Abstract: A system includes a power transfer device having an optical energy source connected to an optical energy transmitter on a first side of the power transfer device configured to transmit optical energy to a second side of the power transfer device via a channel. An optical energy receiver on the second side of the power transfer device is configured to convert received optical energy from the optical energy transmitter into electrical energy, in which the electrical energy is configured to supply power to an electrical load. The system also includes control circuitry configured to determine voltage and power characteristics of the electrical load, configure operational parameters of the optical energy transmitter based on the voltage and power characteristics of the electrical load, and control power transfer from the primary side to the secondary side of the power transfer device.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes prefabricated thin film energy absorption sheets that are each tuned to absorb electromagnetic energy of a corresponding wavelength. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film converter sheet to convert the electromagnetic energy into electrical power. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film battery sheet to store the electrical power. Each thin film energy absorption sheet can be fabricated using a roll-to-roll process. The energy harvesting device can be fabricated using a roll-to-sheet process from rolls of the thin film energy absorption sheets.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion element which exhibits excellent heat resistance and responsiveness, and a photosensor and an imaging device which include the photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes: a transparent conductive film; a conductive film; and a photoelectric conversion film and an electron blocking layer which are disposed between the transparent conductive film and the conductive film, wherein the electron blocking layer contains a compound represented by the following Formula (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a solar cell module, a micro-inverter to convert DC power generated by the solar cell module into AC power, a controller to control the micro-inverter's operation, and an interface unit connected to power grid supplying external electrical power and to provide the AC power to the power grid, the controller to control operation of the micro-inverter such that the AC power is matched to the external electrical power flowing into the power grid. The photovoltaic module according to the present invention can provide electrical power generated at solar cell modules through a simple connection to power grid which supplies electrical power to home, reducing consumption of electrical power flowing into home.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible silicon (Si) substrate, such as a crystalline n-type substrate, and a heterostructure structure formed on the silicon substrate. The heterojunction structure includes a first layered structured deposited on a first side of the silicon substrate. The first layered structured includes a first amorphous intrinsic silicon layer, an amorphous n-type or p-type silicon layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The second layered structure includes a second amorphous intrinsic silicon layer, an amorphous p-type or n-type silicon layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The heterostructure structure is configured to operate as a photovoltaic cell and an infrared light emitting diode.

Abstract: Fluid delivery systems and related structures and processes are provided, such as for use with water, treated water, and/or a cleaning solution, for any of cleaning, cooling or any combination thereof, for one or more solar panels in a power generation environment. Enhanced coatings are provided for the incident surface of solar panels, such as to avoid build up of dirt, scale, or other contaminants, and/or to improve cleaning performance. Reclamation, filtration, and reuse structures are preferably provided for the delivered fluid, and seal structures may preferably be implemented between adjoining panels, to minimize loss of the delivered water or cleaning solution.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for light collection and conversion to electricity are disclosed herein. The disclosed method involves receiving, by at least one concentrating element (e.g., a lens), light from at least one light source, where the light comprises direct light and diffuse light. The method further involves focusing, by at least one concentrating element, the direct light onto at least one concentrator photovoltaic cell. Also, the method involves passing, by at least one concentrating element, the diffuse light onto at least one solar cell of an array of solar cells arranged on a flat plate, where at least one concentrator photovoltaic cell is bonded on top of at least one of the solar cells in the array. In addition, the method involves collecting, by at least one concentrator photovoltaic cell, the direct light. Further, the method involves collecting, by at least one solar cell, the diffuse light.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes an intrinsic layer having two or more sublayers. The sublayers are intentionally deposited to include complementary concave and convex shapes. The sum of these layers resulting in a relatively flat surface for deposition of n- or p-doped layers. The photovoltaic device is optionally bifacial.