Abstract: A solar cell array has at least one solar cell including a photovoltaic structure having a sun-facing front face and a back face, and having an active region, and an isotype heterojunction diode connected in electrical parallel with the active region of the photovoltaic structure.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate having a horizontal surface, and an electrode layer on the substrate. The electrode has a plurality of vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and light-harvesting rods are coupled to the vertical surface of the electrode.

Abstract: In order to deliver the current generated by means of photovoltaic solar elements, the invention proposes a connector for a solar module that is accommodated in a connector housing and can be connected to the solar elements. The solar elements are interconnected by means of flat connecting lines and embedding in a translucent sandwich panel. The current is delivered through an opening in one of the sheets of the sandwich panel by means of springable contact elements that are in electric contact with the connecting lines of the solar elements.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprising: (i) three or more substrates (1, 2, 3) arranged in a closed-spaced parallel relationship to one another, the substrates comprising: a center substrate (2) having first and second faces; a first outer substrate (1) having an inner and outer face, wherein the inner face and the first face of the center substrate are juxtaposed; and a second outer substrate (3) having an inner and outer face, wherein the inner face and the second face of the center substrate are juxtaposed, (ii) front photovoltaic devices (A, B, C) are formed between the first outer substrate (1) and the first face of the center substrate (2), (iii) connecting and/or dividing method (11) are placed between at least one pair of the front devices, and (iv) rear photovoltaic devices (D, E) are formed between the second outer substrate (3) and the second face of the center substrate (2), characterized by: (v) the front and rear photovoltaic devices are offset in such a way that connecting and dividing methods (11) o

Abstract: A thin emitter wrap-through solar cell and method for making a thin emitter wrap-through solar cell. The cell preferably includes a silicon wafer substrate having a thickness of less than 280 microns. The p-type area on the back side of the cell is minimized, which maximizes the collector area and reduces or eliminates stress due to passivation of the p-type area, which is required for conventional solar cells. The efficiency of the cell of the present invention peaks for a much smaller thickness than that for conventional cells. Thus thin wafers of inexpensive, lower quality silicon may be used without a significant efficiency penalty, providing a large cost advantage over other solar cell configurations. Vias through the substrate, which connect emitter layers on the front and back surfaces of the substrate, may consist of holes which are doped, or alternatively may be solid doped channels formed by migration of a solvent, which preferably contains a dopant, caused by a gradient-driven process.

Abstract: A Solar Irradiance Inductive Expeller for electro-dynamic radiant energy extracting, comprises an aggregated electro-magnetic structure and a technological method including: pulse-exciting coils, combined air ionizers, electrode non-magnetic structure, and combined transducers, multi-horn tuned receiving antennas, energy and control units, orientation devices, solenoid servos, frame elements. The Expeller operates multiple jolt-electro-inductive obtaining of solar energy carried by visible and near infrared spectra with efficiency up to 60% and more in prospective. The base sets placed inside closed cases, panel of sets, tracking module provide effective multiple treatment to the refracted and reflected beams of irradiance by oscillating electro-magnetic fluxes into several ionized zones of said cases. The estimate average energy ratio of electro-dynamic Expeller to static conventional Photovoltaic systems takes to 7.4.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube Schottky barrier photovoltaic cells and methods and apparatus for making the cells are provided. The photovoltaic cells include at least one contact made from a first contact material, at least one contact made from a second contact material and a plurality of photoconducting carbon nanotubes bridging the contacts. A Schottky barrier is formed at the interface between the first contact material and the carbon nanotubes while at the interface between the second contact material and the carbon nanotubes, a Schottky barrier for the opposite carrier is formed, or a small, or no Schottky barrier is formed. It is the Schottky barrier asymmetry that allows the photo-excited electron-hole pairs to escape from the carbon nanotube device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-emitting module wherein light entering into a solar cell is not attenuated, thereby preventing power output decrease of the solar cell. In addition, this light-emitting module can be produced by a simple process. Specifically disclosed is a light-emitting module wherein at least (a) a solar cell unit (b) a first adhesive layer, (c) a light-emitting unit composed of a second light-transmitting insulating substrate (transparent PET), a second metal layer (circuit pattern) and a light-emitting element (chip LED), (d) a second adhesive layer and (e) a third light-transmitting insulating substrate are sequentially stacked. The transparent PET having a thickness about 50-500 ?m which is provided with the circuit pattern in advance is used for producing the light-emitting unit. A silver paste which can be cured by 30-minute heating at 150° C. is used as a circuit pattern material, and the circuit pattern is formed on the transparent PET by screen printing, and then thermally cured.

Abstract: A fibril solar cell includes: a fiber-shaped inner core having a porous fiber composed of first carbon nanotubes and a cathode material, in which pores of the porous fiber are filled with second carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide, a photosensitive dye, and an electron transfer electrolyte; a photoconductive layer formed on a surface of the fiber-shaped inner core and composed of at least one photoconductive polymer; a transparent electrode layer formed on a surface of the photoconductive layer; and a transparent protective layer formed on a surface of the transparent electrode layer and composed of at least one transparent polymer. The fibril solar cell can be mass-produced inexpensively using a polymer. Also, the fibril solar cell has a high efficiency and can be converted into various shapes. The fibril solar cell can be attached to clothing, and be used as a portable power source for mobile electronics.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) structure is provided, along with a method for forming a PV structure with a conductive nanowire array electrode. The method comprises: forming a bottom electrode with conductive nanowires; forming a first semiconductor layer of a first dopant type (i.e., n-type) overlying the nanowires; forming a second semiconductor layer of a second dopant type, opposite of the first dopant type (i.e., p-type), overlying the first semiconductor layer; and, forming a top electrode overlying the second semiconductor layer. The first and second semiconductor layers can be a material such as a conductive polymer, a conjugated polymer with a fullerene derivative, and inorganic materials such as CdSe, CdS, Titania, or ZnO. The conductive nanowires can be a material such as IrO2, In2O3, SnO2, or indium tin oxide (ITO).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a back side contact solar cell includes a tunnel oxide layer formed on a back side of a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the tunnel oxide layer, and dopant sources are formed on the polysilicon layer. Dopants from the dopant sources are diffused into the polysilicon layer to form p-type and n-type regions therein. The p-type and n-type regions form p-n junctions that, among other advantages, allow for relatively high conversion efficiency.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition is provided which is for use in a dye-sensitized solar cell that carries a dye on a semiconductor and converts light energy to electric energy by photoexcitation of the dye, and which comprises aluminum oxide and water, and has a paste-like form. By using the electrolyte composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell, the concern for liquid leakage can be eliminated, the operation cost and material cost can be reduced through simplification of an encapsulating step and increase in degree of freedom in selection of an encapsulating material, and besides the basic photoelectric conversion characteristics can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic dye having a specific structure, a photoelectric conversion material containing the dye, a semiconductor electrode formed of a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a semiconductor layer coated on the electrically conductive surface and the above dye adsorbed on the surface, and a photoelectric conversion device to which the above dye is applied. The present invention uses the above dye and can therefore provide a photoelectric conversion device excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency, and the photoelectric conversion device is suitable for use in a solar cell or the like.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light-pervious substrate, a solid-state light source and at least one solar cell. The substrate has a bottom surface, a light incident surface adjacent to the bottom surface, and a light emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface. The solid-state light source is arranged on the light incident surface for emitting light into the substrate through the light incident surface. The at least one solar cell is arranged on the bottom surface of the substrate to absorb and convert solar energy into electric energy and supply the electric energy to the solid-state light source.

Abstract: A solar module 20 comprises first and second sheets 21 and 22, a plurality of rows (a plurality of groups) of spherical solar cells 11 incorporated in between these sheets 21 and 22 in a state in which the conduction direction is perpendicular to the surface of the sheets, a mechanism for the parallel connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11, a mechanism for the serial connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11 with the spherical solar cells 11 in adjacent groups, a positive electrode terminal 23, and a negative electrode terminal 24. A positive electrode is formed on the bottom and a negative electrode on top in the odd-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11 from the left end, while a positive electrode is formed on top and a negative electrode on the bottom in the even-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for manipulating light using nanoscale cometal structures are disclosed. A nanoscale optics apparatus for manipulating light includes a plurality of nanoscale cometal structures each comprising a dielectric material located between a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor. A method of fabricating a nanoscale optics apparatus for manipulating light includes preparing a plurality of nanoscale planar structures; coating a plurality of planar surfaces of the plurality of planar structures with a dielectric while leaving space between the plurality of planar surfaces; and coating the dielectric with an outer electrical conductor layer, wherein a portion of the outer electrical conductor layer is located between the planar structures to form coplanar structures.

Abstract: A pet house, for providing convenient and comfortable accommodation for a pet, includes a housing and a plurality of amenities. The housing includes a surrounding wall having a lodging room for the pet accommodating therein, and a side entrance communicating with the lodging room, and a roof frame, which is supported on the surrounding wall to define the lodging room within the surrounding wall and the roof frame. The amenities, including at least one of a solar power system, a power storage, a ventilating device, a dimmer light, an audio device, a remote intercommunication system, and an outdoors shading arrangement, is provided at said pet house for providing the comfort and convenience of said pet house so as to enhance the quality of living.

Abstract: When reverse bias processing is performed, on a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices connected in series, different potentials are applied to electrodes of three or more photoelectric conversion devices to simultaneously perform reverse bias processing on two or more reverse photoelectric conversion devices. Thereby, time taken to perform reverse bias processing on the photoelectric conversion devices can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of photovoltaic cells (400, 800, 1112) for charging a battery (1230) of an electronic device (1010) includes forming by a self-assembly process a plurality of interdigitated photovoltaic cells (400, 800, 1112) between two terminal electrodes (102, 202, 132, 232) coupled to the battery (1230). One electrode is a transport conductive material (102, 202) including a conductive material (106, 206) having sidewalls (110, 210) defining a plurality of pores (112). A conductive electrode material (126, 226) is formed over an electrolyte (124, 224) which is formed over a sensitizing material (122, 222) which is formed over an active transport material (114, 214) on the sidewalls (110, 210).

Abstract: A solar cell mesh includes multiple strips of flexible photovoltaic conversion cells disposed in a first direction. Multiple strips of flexible material are intertwined with the multiple strips of flexible photovoltaic material at least somewhat orthogonal to the first direction to form the mesh, such as in a fabric or net. The mesh may be applied to a curved surface of the device and encapsulated such that the mesh is conformal with the curved surface of the device.

Abstract: A separation and guidance structure comprises an arm having an inner end with a crosspiece secured in use to a pontoon or the like, and an outer end provided with fenders extending above and beyond the end of the arm. Flotation is provided to support the outer end of the arm, and may be in the form of a flotation member or be provided by the fenders. In use a number of such structures are secured in parallel to a pontoon or dock to form a berthing system.

Abstract: A photovoltaic awning assembly includes a sheet of material carrying photovoltaic strips thereon. A rotatable roll receives the sheet of material and has a contoured drum at opposite ends thereof for deploying and retrieving the sheet of material through the use of a cable connected to a boom at an opposite end of the sheet. A pair of support tubes extend along opposite sides of the sheet of material, and support legs serve to position the sheet. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the support legs is out of plane with the others, introducing a saddle surface in the sheet of material to provide it with stability to resist wind. The roll for retrieving and maintaining the material is constructed of a non-metallic material such as corrugated fiberglass sheet, rolled about take-up drums at opposite ends thereof, and having reinforcing flanged disks in the interior thereof. The corrugations provide conduits for the passage of electrical conductors to an externally maintained control box.

Abstract: A roadway system for energy generation and distribution is presented. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the roadway system comprises a plurality of solar energy generating devices, and a roadway system electricity grid. The solar energy generating devices are electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and are positioned on part of or near to a road in a system of roads and being optionally fixed in a position such that a multi-form, solar energy gathering network can be formed.

Abstract: A power source device is provided which is capable of charging a secondary cell in a stable manner even in an environment in which power generated by a solar cell varies due to changes in sunlight intensity and/or ambient temperatures. By power generated by a solar cell module, an electric double-layer capacitor is charged and, by using a charging voltage of the electric double-layer capacitor, a booster-type DC-DC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converter is driven. A charge on/off controlling circuit detects the voltage of the electric double-layer capacitor and, when the voltage exceeds a high level threshold voltage, keeps a charge controlling signal (output signal from a terminal) in an active mode and performs a charge starting operation and, after that, when the voltage of the electric double-layer capacitor reaches a low level threshold value, holds the charge controlling signal in a non-active mode and performs a charge stopping operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic module (20) comprising a photovoltaic material and a heat sink in thermal communication with the photovoltaic material proximate a mounting surface of the heat sink. The heat sink comprises a plurality of fins (12) that are movable between a first position parallel to the mounting surface and a second position non-parallel to the mounting surface. Orientation of the fins in the first position may be particularly desirable during fabrication of the module when the heat sink is attached to the photovoltaic material. As such, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a photovoltaic module comprising providing a photovoltaic material and providing the heat sink having movable fins. The fins are oriented in the first position and the heat sink is then attached to the photovoltaic material. After the heat sink is attached, the fins may be unfolded into the second position.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a front member placed at a light-incident side of the module; a sealing member having an exposed section that is not covered with the front member; solar cell elements that are sealed with the sealing member and covered with the front member; and an electric device, stored in a housing, for extracting electricity generated by the solar cell elements. The housing is fixed on the exposed section and is located at a light-incident side of the module.

Abstract: An ultra lightweight semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a non-etchable barrier layer which is disposed upon an etchable substrate. The device is contacted with an appropriate etchant for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the thickness of the substrate. The barrier layer prevents damage to the photovoltaic material during the etching process. Photovoltaic devices fabricated by this method have specific power levels in excess of 300 w/kg.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a silicon solar cell with n+pp+ BSF structure using solar grade silicon substrate, having a life time close to the initial level of the substrate. The solar cell of the present invention is produced by a back side boron diffusion step for diffusing boron on a back side of the substrate, a front side phosphorus diffusion step for diffusing phosphorus on a front side of the substrate, a low-temperature annealing step for annealing the substrate at 600° C. or lower for 1 hour or more, and an electrode firing step carried out at a peak temperature of 700° C. or lower for 1 minute or less, carried out in this order.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of a nuclear cored battery having steps of processing a nuclear core, and creating a ceramic phosphor slurry material and combining them to form a homogenous mixture. The homogeneous mixture is then placed into a spray dryer in order to create a nuclear core surrounded by a temporary bound layer of mixed ceramics and then undergoes a high temperature manufacturing process wherein structural defects are added to create a light dissipating material. The light dissipating material is then coated with a photovoltaic material to create a spherical energy source that is in the form of a powder. This powder is then introduced into a P and N layer.

Abstract: An electrode paste for a solar cell comprising electrically conductive particles, lead-free glass frit, a resin binder and zinc oxide particles, wherein zinc oxide particles having a specific surface area of 6 m2/g or less are contained at 10% by weight or more based on the total amount of zinc oxide.

Abstract: A low-index silica coating may be made by forming a silica precursor having a radiation curable composition including a radiation curable monomer and/or a photoinitiator, and also including a silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate or silicon wafer) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured via exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. Then, the cured coating layer may be fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C., in forming the low-index silica based coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) in certain example instances.

Abstract: A low-index silica coating may be made by forming a silica precursor having a radiation curable composition including a radiation curable monomer and/or a photoinitiator, and also including a silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured via exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. Then, the cured coating layer may be fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C., in forming the low-index silica based coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) in certain example instances.

Abstract: A solar powered apparatus that includes a battery, at least one photovoltaic cell (which may be part of a solar module comprising multiple photovoltaic cells), and a DC-capable AC appliance, such as a compact fluorescent light. The solar powered apparatus may also include a first DC to DC converter that receives a first electrical signal from the at least one photovoltaic cell and provides a charging signal to the battery, and a second DC to DC converter that receives a second electrical signal from the battery and provides a DC power signal to the DC-capable AC appliance.

Abstract: A deer conditioning system uses a feeder that has a lid that automatically opens at a specified time, namely the start of hunting hours, and closes at a specified time, the end of hunting hours. When the lid is open, the system dispenses a deer pleasing stimuli so as to attract deer, the deer being rewarded by the contents of the feeder for responding to the stimuli. Alternately, in a typical always open feeder, either a deer attracting stimuli dispenser is provided and is programmed to release stimuli during hunting hours or a deer repulsing stimuli dispenser is provided and programmed to release stimuli during non-hunting hours upon motion being detected proximate the feeder via a motion detector, or both types of dispensers are provided and appropriately programmed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a back side contact solar cell includes a tunnel oxide layer formed on a back side of a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the tunnel oxide layer, and dopant sources are formed on the polysilicon layer. Dopants from the dopant sources are diffused into the polysilicon layer to form p-type and n-type regions therein. The p-type and n-type regions form p-n junctions that, among other advantages, allow for relatively high conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A metal chalcogenide composite nano-particle comprising a metal capable of forming p-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles and a metal capable of forming n-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles, wherein at least one of the metal chalcogenides has a band-gap between 1.0 and 2.9 eV and the concentration of the metal capable of forming p-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles is at least 5 atomic percent of the metal and is less than 50 atomic percent of the metal; a dispersion thereof; a layer comprising the nano-particles; and a photovoltaic device comprising the layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic power converter system including a controller configured to reduce load harmonics is provided. The system comprises a photovoltaic array and an inverter electrically coupled to the array to generate an output current for energizing a load connected to the inverter and to a mains grid supply voltage. The system further comprises a controller including a first circuit coupled to receive a load current to measure a harmonic current in the load current. The controller includes a second circuit to generate a fundamental reference drawn by the load. The controller further includes a third circuit for combining the measured harmonic current and the fundamental reference to generate a command output signal for generating the output current for energizing the load connected to the inverter. The photovoltaic system may be configured to compensate harmonic currents that may be drawn by the load.

Abstract: Photovoltaic power converter system including a controller configured to reduce load harmonics is provided. The system comprises a photovoltaic array and an inverter electrically coupled to the array to generate an output current for energizing a load connected to the inverter and to a mains grid supply voltage. The system further comprises a controller including a first circuit coupled to receive a load current to measure a harmonic current in the load current. The controller includes a second circuit to generate a fundamental reference drawn by the load. The controller further includes a third circuit for combining the measured harmonic current and the fundamental reference to generate a command output signal for generating the output current for energizing the load connected to the inverter. The photovoltaic system may be configured to compensate harmonic currents that may be drawn by the load.

Abstract: A system for recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting that light into electrical current which can be used to power the same light source or other devices. An exemplary embodiment may use photovoltaic cells to recapture light from ceiling lights and convert it into a source of power for the ceiling light. Another embodiment may be a tanning bed that recaptures light using photovoltaic cells. Some embodiments may recapture light from multiple lighting fixtures. An exemplary embodiment may include a computer and battery for storing energy produced by the photovoltaic cells. Another exemplary embodiment is a method of recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting the light into energy which can be used to power electrical activities.

Abstract: An optical power supply type sensing system includes: an optical directivity coupler (6) mounted in a sensor unit (1); a photo-electric converter (4) connected to a first optical fiber (5) among the first to the third optical fiber (5, 7, 8) connected to the optical directivity coupler (6); an optical output device (3) connected to the second optical fiber (7); and a measurement device (10) connected to the third optical fiber (8) drawn out of the sensor unit (1).

Abstract: An improved design for maintaining separation between electrodes in tunneling, diode, thermionic, and other devices is disclosed. At least one electrode is made from flexible material. A magnetic field is present to combine with the current flowing in the flexible electrode and generate a force that counterbalances the electrostatic force between the electrodes. The balancing of forces allows the separation and parallelism between the electrodes to be maintained at a very small spacing without requiring the use of multiple control systems, actuators, or other manipulating means, or spacers. The shape of one or both electrodes is designed to maintain a constant separation over the entire overlapping area of the electrodes. The end result is an electronic device that maintains two closely spaced parallel electrodes in stable equilibrium with a uniform gap therebetween over a large area in a simple configuration for simplified manufacturability and use to convert heat to electricity or electricity to cooling.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the generation of energy. The method system and apparatus can include one or more airships that collect solar energy and convert it into electricity. An array of airships may be used so as to increase the collection rates of solar energy. The array of airships may include an airship that receives and stores electricity from the other airships in the array. Additionally, the solar energy may be transmitted to a terrestrial collection and distribution station.

Abstract: A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device for outputting an output voltage according to incident light, including photoelectric conversion unit for holding an optical charge generated by the incident light, a signal processing circuit impressed with a reference voltage for outputting the output voltage according to the incident light by applying a predetermined process to an output signal of the photoelectric conversion unit, and a switch provided between a terminal externally supplied with the reference voltage, and the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A lighting system is described herein that may be energized by a plurality of sources. In one embodiment, a solar cell is capable of receiving light and converting the light into electrical signals. An energy conversion device may be included that converts movement of the energy conversion device into electrical signals. Additionally, an energy storage device receives and stores the electrical signals from the solar cell and the energy conversion device. The energy storage device is also adapted to supply energy to a lamp that emits light.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing sealed monolithic electrochemical systems, which method comprises the following method steps: application of electrolyte to a pattern of a porous structure located on a substrate, which structure constitutes a monolithic electrochemical electrode and comprises a working electrode, an insulating layer and a counterelectrode application of a sealing material surrounding said porous structure to form a laminate comprising a front plane consisting of said substrate and the porous structure and a rear plane consisting of the sealing material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photoelectric conversion device comprising a substrate 1 serving as a lower electrode; first conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor particles 3 deposited on the substrate; second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 formed on the crystalline semiconductor particles 3; an insulator layer 2 formed among the crystalline semiconductor particles; and an upper electrode layer 5 formed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4, wherein the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 each have a smaller thickness at or below an equator of each of the crystalline semiconductor particles than at a zenith region thereof, and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layers 4 include an impurity element with a concentration gradient decreasing with proximity to the crystalline semiconductor particles.

Abstract: A distribution layer of silicon quantum dots are fabricated. After the layer is exposed to sun light for a while, the layer absorbs energy and produces pairs of electron and hole. By limiting the movement of the electrons and their moving directions through the structure obtained, the efficiency of an optoelectronic conversion is enhanced.

Abstract: A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength ?1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength ?2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that ?1 is at least about 10% different from ?2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.