Abstract: Semiconductors bits, ultra-violet-light photons or nanocrystals are formulated with a polythiophene conductive polymer in a paint finish for the outer surface of a hybrid automotive vehicle to gather energy as a large solar collector for its included storage batteries.

Abstract: A paste composition for forming an electrically conductive layer on a p-type silicon semiconductor substrate comprises aluminum powder, an organic vehicle and powder of at least one inorganic compound selected from a group consisting of an oxide-based inorganic compound and a non-oxide-based inorganic compound. The oxide-based inorganic compound has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum and a melting temperature, a softening temperature and a decomposition temperature each higher than the melting point of aluminum. The non-oxide-based inorganic compound has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum and at least one of a melting temperature, a softening temperature or a decomposition temperature higher than the melting point of aluminum.

Abstract: An assembly for producing photovoltaic electricity has an outer assembly having at least one portion transparent to light energy. The outer assembly defines an inner volume. The outer assembly can be made of a first structural member having an opening to an external environment, where the opening is defined by at least one edge. The outer assembly also has a second structural member with a recess that corresponds to the edge at the opening. In this manner the edge of the first structural member conjoins with the corresponding recess of the second structural member, and the edge is conjoined to the corresponding recess with a seal. One or more photovoltaic devices are disposed within the inner assembly volume. Each such photovoltaic device is operable to receive the light and produce photovoltaic electricity in response to it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to configuring and wiring together cells in TF PV modules. According to one aspect, cells within the module are adjusted in size to compensate for known process non-uniformity. According to another aspect, the module is divided into a number of smaller series-connected sub-modules that are then wired in parallel. According to another aspect, the module and/or sub-module may have a non-rectangular shape. According to another aspect, lithography and etch processes are preferably used to form interconnects. In another embodiment, contact pads are formed using photolithographic processes, which may be used to mount protect diodes to minimize the risk of damage due to shading or non-uniformity.

Abstract: An OECO solar cell using a semiconductor single crystal substrate having a plurality of grooves, wherein a minimum groove depth h of each groove always satisfies the relation of h?W1tan ? where ? represents an angle between a line connecting the lower end, along the thickness-wise direction of the semiconductor single crystal substrate, of an electrode formed in the groove and the upper end of the inner side face of the same groove having no electrode formed thereon, and a reference line normal to the thickness-wise direction, and W1 represents a distance between both opening edges of the groove; wherein the semiconductor single crystal substrate has thickness decreasing from a first side of a first main surface to a second side opposed to the first side; and wherein the plurality of grooves have a depth distribution of being deepest at a thickest position of the substrate, and a gradually becoming shallower towards a thinnest position of the substrate.

Abstract: A solar energy charging device includes a main body having a plurality of grooves disposed at a top surface thereof for inserting batteries or electronic devices; a plurality of indicator lights disposed at a peripheral portion of the top surface; a first solar panel pivotally attached to the top surface, the first solar panel is rotatable, and covers the grooves when the first solar panel is closed; at least one second solar panel attached at a side wall of the main body, the second solar panel is embedded in the main body when it is not in use, and will be take out when it is in an operation state.

Abstract: A dye sensitized solar cell, wherein a compacting compound whose molecular structure comprises a terminal group, a hydrophobic part and an anchoring group is co-adsorbed together with the dye on the semi-conductive metal oxide layer of the photoanode, forming a dense mixed self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: A layer configuration on a support, the layer configuration comprising a non-photoactive element exclusive of unsubstituted poly(3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene)s, the element containing at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarboxy-polymers, optionally quaternized polyamine-polymers and poly(vinylphosphonic acid), the surface of one side of the element being contiguous with a positive electrode and the surface on the opposite side of the element being contiguous with a material capable of transporting holes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a photovoltaic frame assembly comprises a photovoltaic module and a frame having a plurality of air vents. The air vents allow air to flow into the frame and thereby cool the photovoltaic module. The frame may be installed in-line with another such frame to allow air flow between frames. The air vents may be located within a perimeter of the frame to allow for structural integrity while remaining aesthetically pleasing. The frame may include an inner lip, an outer lip, or both to provide different mounting options to accommodate different sites. The frame may comprise a plurality of frame members, such as extrusions including the air vents.

Abstract: This invention comprises a transparent/translucent panel system including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface whereby differently sized light-controlling members may be used and the light-controlling members, when rotated by a simple drive mechanism, can vary the light passing through the panel system from clear to opaque and can effectively block light between adjacent light-controlling members.

Abstract: A solar battery module can be constituted without connecting a plurality of bypass diodes, increasing the volume of potting, or reducing the area of a solar battery cell, so that the problems such as an increase in size of a terminal box, an increase in fabrication cost or a drop in mass productivity are overcome. A terminal box constituting an output section of a solar battery module, includes: a box body housing a circuit constituting section constituted by terminal boards, a bypass diode, and the like; and a box cover having a double structure of an inner cover made of a metal material and an outer cover made of a weather-resistant resin. The box body has an open side opposite to its attachment face, and includes a portion housing a charging section of the circuit constituting section apart from an outer wall structure of the box body. The box body is formed to have a box structure made of a weather-resistant resin. The open side of the box structure is covered with the box cover.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element capable of improving weather resistance is obtained. This photovoltaic element includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a first transparent conductive film formed on a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer closer to an incidence side and including a first indium oxide layer having (222) orientation and two X-ray diffraction peaks, and a second transparent conductive film formed on a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer opposite to the incidence side and including a second indium oxide layer having (222) orientation and one X-ray diffraction peak.

Abstract: Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. This invention deals with method and apparatus for the direct conversion of solar energy to alternating current power by an active spinning mini-optics system. A limiting factor in the utilization of solar energy in the past has been the high cost of power conversion from dc to ac. By directly producing alternating current power, this invention substantially reduces the cost of generating photovoltaic electricity. This system utilizes a dynamic spinning ensemble of mini-mirrors to both concentrate and modulate rays from the sun onto a photovoltaic collector array. The focusing with superimposed spinning action produces single phase and multiphase alternating current (ac) with substantially higher power output than the direct current (dc) power resulting from the direct incidence of sunlight on the photovoltaic collector.

Abstract: A plurality of layers of a first semiconductor material and a plurality of dots-in-a-fence barriers disposed in a stack between a first electrode and a second electrode. Each dots-in-a-fence barrier consists essentially of a plurality of quantum dots of a second semiconductor material embedded between and in direct contact with two layers of a third semiconductor material. Wave functions of the quantum dots overlap as at least one intermediate band. The layers of the third semiconductor material are arranged as tunneling barriers to require a first electron and/or a first hole in a layer of the first material to perform quantum mechanical tunneling to reach the second material within a respective quantum dot, and to require a second electron and/or a second hole in a layer of the first semiconductor material to perform quantum mechanical tunneling to reach another layer of the first semiconductor material.

Abstract: An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device having a plurality of cells disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. Each cell includes a photoconductive organic hole transport layer adjacent to a photoconductive organic electron transport layer. A metal or metal substitute is disposed between each of the cells. At least one exciton blocking layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A nanocomposite having enhanced energy conversion between thermal, electron, phonons, and photons energy states. The composition comprises a synergistic blend of nanoscale powders wherein the powders have nanoscale layered surface modifiers and a conductive medium. The powders and conductive medium are optionally altered through non-thermal modifiers and made into energy conversion devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are implemented in software to control motor speed as a function of available power in a DC source-inverter-AC motor system, i.e. to perform maximum power tracking of motor speed. An inverter or motor drive converts DC power from a DC source, such as a solar panel, to AC power, to power the motor. The inverter or motor drive is controlled by software, implemented either by programmable features built directly into the inverter or drive or by a separate programmable device connected to the inverter or drive, to track motor power as a function of source power. The software-controlled inverter or drive sets motor speed as a function of source power by sensing only a single parameter, the DC source voltage. The software-controlled inverter or drive samples the source voltage at preset intervals, and changes the frequency of the AC output of the inverter or drive to match or track the available power so that the motor operates at or near its optimum for any source voltage.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) solar power apparatus includes a photovoltaic cell and a circuit or device for causing a signal generated by the photovoltaic cell to oscillate in a negative differential resistance range, thereby producing an AC output voltage. The photovoltaic cell exhibits negative differential resistance in its current/voltage (IV) curve in the presence of high flux illumination, wherein when the output voltage is within a negative differential resistance range, an incremental increase in the output voltage produces an associated decrease in generated current. By connecting the terminals of the photovoltaic cell to a resonator (e.g., an inductive-capacitive circuit) or other device that produces oscillation within the negative differential resistance range, the photovoltaic cell is caused to produce AC power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming doped regions in a substrate of a back side contact solar cell includes the steps of depositing a first doped oxide layer on a back side of a substrate, depositing a first undoped oxide layer over the first doped oxide layer, diffusing a first dopant from the first doped oxide layer into the substrate to form a first doped region in the substrate, and diffusing a second dopant into the substrate by way of a front side of the substrate, wherein the diffusion of the first dopant and the second dopant into the substrate are performed in-situ. The method may further include the steps of patterning the first doped and undoped oxide layers to expose portions of the back side of the substrate and depositing a second doped and undoped oxide layers on the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a wireless power transmission system comprising a power transmitter including a first and a second light source and means for directing the emitted light. The second light source is used for transmitting, parallel and as low-intensity pulses, light arranged around the light emitted by the first light source, data bits being encoded in the pulses so as to determine a maximum time interval between two successive pulses. At least one power receiver of the system comprises a first and a second photo-detector for receiving the emitted light and for converting it into electric current. The second photo-detector is used for indicating light pulses and data included therein and time between successive light pulses. A control signal indicating disturbance-free reception of data is transmitted to the transmitter if the time between successive light pulses does not exceed a predetermined maximum time interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece and an electronic apparatus, which comprise a casing, a digital face and a time counting module, both being provided in the casing. A bulb-shaped solar battery element is mounted on the digital face. The bulb-shaped solar battery element is allowed to receive the external light sufficiently to generate the electric power efficiently.

Abstract: In a photovoltaic device comprising a thin intrinsic amorphous semiconductor film inserted in a junction portion of a crystalline semiconductor substrate and an amorphous semiconductor film which have conductive types reverse to each other, an optical band gap of the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor film is expanded on a side in contact with the amorphous semiconductor film.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming doped regions in a substrate of a back side contact solar cell includes the steps of depositing a first doped oxide layer on a back side of a substrate, depositing a first undoped oxide layer over the first doped oxide layer, diffusing a first dopant from the first doped oxide layer into the substrate to form a first doped region in the substrate, and diffusing a second dopant into the substrate by way of a front side of the substrate, wherein the diffusion of the first dopant and the second dopant into the substrate are performed in-situ. The method may further include the steps of patterning the first doped and undoped oxide layers to expose portions of the back side of the substrate and depositing a second doped and undoped oxide layers on the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil comprising a TCO layer, a photovoltaic layer, and a back electrode, which method comprises the following steps: providing a conductive temporary substrate; applying a TCO layer on the temporary substrate; applying a photovoltaic layer on the TCO by means of electrodeposition, with the current during the electrodeposition being supplied at least through the temporary substrate; applying a back electrode; if so desired, applying a permanent substrate; removing the temporary substrate. The crux of the invention is that the unit of the conductive temporary substrate and the TCO functions as electrode during the electrodeposition of the photovoltaic layer. Because of this, the rate of deposition of the photovoltaic layer can be increased compared with that of the prior art. Furthermore, a photovoltaic layer with a more homogenous layer thickness is obtained.

Abstract: An integrated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sun sensor includes a filter, microlens, aperture and a folded MEMS optical element combined with an active pixel sensor array to form an integrated spacecraft sun sensor in an integrated sealed package, offering lower power, smaller size and higher performance for use on spinning spacecraft useful in attitude determinations. Multiple like sun sensors can be disposed for increasing the reliability, spatial coverage or spatial resolution for a specific performance requirement.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a solar cell module in which sufficient drainage and ventilation are ensured on the rear side, an output cable can be prevented from being caught during installation, and long term reliability is ensured by preventing bleed of the output cable, and another object of the invention is to provide a solar cell module integrated with building materials in which water leakage into the house and failure due to staying moisture can be avoided by imparting a waterproof function of a verge substrate water drip. A bottomed drain gutter opening to the abutting face of a heat insulating supporting material is provided to communicate with the side of the heat insulating supporting material, and a cable holding groove opening to the abutting face of a leg vertically provided on the heat insulating supporting material and deeper than the diameter of the laid cable is made to communicate with the side of the leg in order to hold the cable without projecting the cable from the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thin plate manufacturing apparatus for forming a thin plate on the surface of a substrate by dipping the substrate held by a substrate transport mechanism (1) in melting fluid, a thin plate manufacturing method, and a solar cell using the thin plate, the substrate transfer mechanism (1) installed so as to be movable in horizontal direction (104) along a horizontal moving shaft (8) installed so as to be movable along vertical moving shaft (9). Further, the substrate transfer mechanism (1) comprising a means for diagonally inclining the substrate (2) or a means for attaching/detaching the substrate, whereby the thin plate of flat shape can be provided and the shape of the thin plate thus obtained can be optimized.

Abstract: A photoelectric power supply system for motorized window coverings includes a light detector electrically connected to a relatively high dielectric capacitor. In turn, the capacitor is connected to an electric motor, and the capacitor is the primary source of power for the motor. The light detector converts solar energy to electric energy that is used to charge the capacitor. The electric motor utilizes electricity from the capacitor as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of evaluating performance of a photovoltaic array that includes a plurality of photovoltaic elements. The function of each of the photovoltaic elements is to convert solar energy to electricity. The method includes diagnosing independently the functioning of individual photovoltaic elements, and identifying under-performing individual photovoltaic elements within the photovoltaic array. The diagnosing includes a separate diagnostic circuit for each of the individual photovoltaic elements, and the identifying includes analyzing contemporary and historical measurements of the individual photovoltaic elements.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell thermal radiator configuration uses an embedded power bus to collect vertically migrating waste heat from electronic devices mounted on a thin film multilayer printed circuit board. The waste heat is vertically collected, horizontally spread, and vertically rejected through the a top coverglass glass layer around the side of a top silver contact of conventional thin film solar cells. The thermal radiator configuration enables the collection and rejection of the electronic component waste heat for maintaining thin film solar cells within desired temperature ranges.

Abstract: Transparent conductive electrodes, optoelectronic apparatus, optoelectronic devices and methods for making such electrodes, apparatus and devices are disclosed. The transparent conducting electrode (TCE) includes a layer of transparent electrically conducting polymer material and an array of electrically conductive wires distributed across the layer of transparent electrically conducting polymer material. The TCE may be made by distributing an array of conductive wires across a conductive polymer layer and attaching polymer layer to the wire array. An optoelectronic apparatus may comprise an active layer in electrical contact with the TCE. An optoelectronic device may incorporate an active layer disposed between two electrodes, at least one of which is the TCE. An optoelectronic device may be made by disposing an active layer between a base electrode and a TCE and attaching all three together.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell utilizing antenna capable of receiving electromagnetic energy from a solar source, connected to and configured as the AC input of, a rectifier or an array of antennas, each capable of inductively coupling with, and thereby receiving electromagnetic energy from, a solar source connected to, and configured as the AC input of, a plurality of rectifiers. The antennas and plurality of rectifiers are preferably provided as an integrated circuit formed on a substrate by standard photolithographic etching techniques utilized in the semiconductor industry.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells that have a mesh electrode, as well as related systems, methods and components, are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved diode energy converter for chemical kinetic electron energy transfer is formed using nanostructures and includes identifiable regions associated with chemical reactions isolated chemically from other regions in the converter, a region associated with an area that forms energy barriers of the desired height, a region associated with tailoring the boundary between semiconductor material and metal materials so that the junction does not tear apart, and a region associated with removing heat from the semiconductor.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing sealed monolithic electrochromic systems, which method comprises the following method steps:

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for forming a transparent conductive film whose principal component is tin oxide by so-called CVD on a glass ribbon, preventing the generation of giant crystal grains in the tin oxide, while ensuring that the concentration of carbon is low, or in other words, the absorption coefficient at 400 to 550 nm wavelength is low. In accordance with the invention, the method for forming a transparent conductive film whose principal component is tin oxide by CVD on a glass ribbon includes forming the transparent conductive film at a film deposition speed of 3000 to 7000 nm/min using a raw material gas including 0.5 to 2.0 mol % of an organic tin compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in solar cell and solar panel photovoltaic materials which cause the solar cells/panels to operate more efficiently. In particular, the present invention focuses primarily on matching or modifying particular incident light energies (e.g., from the sun) to predetermined energy levels in a solar cell photovoltaic substrate material required to excite, for example, electrons in at least a portion of the substrate material in a desirable manner. In this regard, for example, energy levels of incident light, and thus, corresponding particular wavelengths, such as desirable wavelength (&ggr;1), or frequenices of incidient light, can be at least partially matched with various desirable energy levels in a substrate material by filtering out at least a portion of certain undesirable incident light, such as that of wavelength (&ggr;2), that comes into contact with at least a portion of a surface of a solar cell photovlataic substrate.

Abstract: A visible light induced, highly oxidative, and highly reductive photocatalyst. The photocatalyst includes a first semiconductor with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV, and second semiconductor, combined with the first semiconductor, with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV. The conduction band of the first semiconductor is negative relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 0.2 eV or greater. The valence band of the second semiconductor is positive relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 2.8 eV or greater.

Abstract: The photoelectron generating plate includes on a substrate a photoelectron emission layer for emitting photoelectrons by the illumination of the light and having a barrier property. A diffusion of a material of an underlying base member into the photoelectron emission layer is blocked by the barrier layer and thus the surface of the photoelectron emission layer is prevented from being coated by the material of the base member. As a result, temporal reduction in the number of generated negative ions can be considerably ameliorated. In other words, the charge removing device attains a good durability for a long time.

Abstract: The present invention is photovoltaic (solar) cell module comprising a sheet of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer/polyamide polymer blend, wherein the ionomer is dispersed in the continuous or co-continuous polyamide phase.

Abstract: A flat-sectioned device that traps energy from the sun or any light source through the photovoltaic effect of it's upper surface material composition and releases light through the electroluminiscence effect of its lower surface material composition, all this carried or mounted on an extruded material pro file.

Abstract: This invention comprises deposition of thin film photovoltaic junctions on metal substrates which can be heat treated following deposition in a continuous fashion without deterioration of the metal support structure. In a separate operation an interconnection substrate structure is produced in a continuous roll-to-roll fashion. In this way the interconnection substrate structure can be uniquely formulated from polymer-based materials since it does not have to endure high temperature exposure. Cells comprising the metal foil supported photovoltaic junctions are then laminated to the interconnection substrate structure. Conductive interconnections are deposited to complete the array. The conductive interconnections can be accomplished with a separately prepared interconnection component.

Abstract: A hybrid solar energy collector has a photovoltaic collector that generates electricity and a thermal collector that generates heat. The photovoltaic collector, which is semi-transparent, utilizes shorter-wavelength radiation while selectively transmitting medium- and long-wavelength radiation to the thermal collector. The collectors are separated by a thermal insulating barrier.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component with at least one tricrystalline wafer (2) that has a certain basic doping, a light-receiving side (3), an electric bonding side (4) opposite the light-receiving side (3), and at least one interdigital semiconductor structure (5) arranged on the electric bonding site (4) with at least on n-type semiconductor part-structure (6) and at least one p-type semiconductor part-structure (7) arranged at a certain interval (8) to the n-type semiconductor part-structure (6). One of the semiconductor part-structure and the silicon wafer (2) thus form a p-n junction (9).

Abstract: A paste composition for forming an electrically conductive layer on a p-type silicon semiconductor substrate comprises aluminum powder, an organic vehicle and powder of at least one inorganic compound selected from a group consisting of an oxide-based inorganic compound and a non-oxide-based inorganic compound. The oxide-based inorganic compound has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum and a melting temperature, a softening temperature and a decomposition temperature each higher than the melting point of aluminum. The non-oxide-based inorganic compound has a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum and at least one of a melting temperature, a softening temperature or a decomposition temperature higher than the melting point of aluminum.

Abstract: A solar-paneled windmill is provided having aerodynamic fan blades provided with solar panels. The windmill produces electricity using wind energy and solar energy. In another embodiment, magnets are provided to the solar-paneled windmill fan blades to generate magnetic fields to increase the amount of electrical energy produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for making a solar cell with an integrated bypass diode. The method comprises the steps of depositing a second layer having a first type of dopant on a first layer having an opposite type of dopant to the first type of dopant to form a solar cell, depositing a third layer having the first type of dopant on the second layer, depositing a fourth layer having the opposite type of dopant on the third layer, the third layer and fourth layer forming a bypass diode, selectively etching the third layer and the fourth layer to expose the second layer and the third layer, and applying contacts to the fourth layer, third layer, and the first layer to allow electrical connections to the assembly.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition which is excellent in durability and charge transport performance, and an electrochemical battery in which deterioration of the charge transport performance with time is minimized, the electrolyte composition including therein a salt which comprises an anion which contains a mesogen group, and an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 carbons or more in the structure of the anion, and an organic or inorganic cation.

Abstract: On a glass sheet, an undercoating layer and a conductive film containing tin oxide as a main component are formed suitably in this order. On the conductive film, a photoelectric conversion unit and a back electrode are formed, thus obtaining a thin film photoelectric conversion device. In the present invention, the absorption coefficient of this conductive film is decreased up to 1.2×103 cm−1 or less. In another embodiment of the present invention, the chlorine concentration in a conductive film is set to be 0.11 wt. % or lower and the fluorine concentration in the conductive film is equal to or higher than the chlorine concentration. In still another embodiment, in a wavelength of 550 nm, a conductive film is formed so that a glass sheet with a conductive film has a transmittance of at least 79% and a haze ratio of at least 4%.

Abstract: An optical energy conversion apparatus 10 includes a first impurity doped semiconductor layer 5, formed on a substrate, and which is of a semiconductor material admixed with a first impurity, an optically active layer 6, formed on the first impurity doped semiconductor layer 5, and which is of a hydrogen-containing amorphous semiconductor material, and a second impurity doped semiconductor layer 7, admixed with a second impurity and formed on the optically active semiconductor layer 6. The second impurity doped semiconductor layer is of a polycrystallized semiconductor material lower in hydrogen concentration than the material of the optically active semiconductor layer 6. The average crystal grain size in the depth-wise direction in an interfacing structure between the optically active semiconductor layer 6 and the second impurity doped semiconductor layer 7 is decreased stepwise in a direction proceeding from the surface of the second impurity doped semiconductor layer towards the substrate 1.