Abstract: A photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) includes: a front substrate (e.g., glass substrate); a semiconductor absorber film; a back contact including a first conductive layer of or including copper (Cu) and a second conductive layer of or including molybdenum (Mo); and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). A selenium blocking layer is provided between at least the Cu inclusive layer and the Mo inclusive layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the arrangement of regions containing wavelength-converting materials, and associated articles, are provided.

Abstract: A reconfigurable solar panel that provides for the repair, replacement, modification and upgrade of various solar panel components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation process for thin semiconducting inorganic films comprising various metals (Cu/In/Zn/Ga/Sn), selenium and/or sulfur. The process uses molecular precursors comprising metal complexes with oximato ligands. Copper-based chalcopyrites of the I-III-IV2-type are prepared with high purity at low temperatures under ambient conditions. The thin films can be used in photovoltaic panels (solar cells).

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device provided with an electron transport layer having an excellent electron transport ability and having an excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency, and electronic equipment provided with such a photoelectric conversion device and having a high reliability are provided. A solar cell, to which the photoelectric conversion device is applied, has a first electrode provided on a substrate, a second electrode arranged opposite to the first electrode and retained on a facing substrate, an electron transport layer provided between these electrodes and positioned on the side of the first electrode, a dye layer being in contact with the electron transport layer, and an electrolyte layer provided between the electron transport layer and the second electrode and being in contact with the dye layer. The electron transport layer includes particles of sodium trititanate.

Abstract: A sintered composite oxide 2 composed mainly of zinc, aluminum, titanium and oxygen, the atomic ratio of the elements satisfying the following equations (1) to (3), the sintered composite oxide 2 comprising particles having a hexagonal wurtzite structure containing zinc oxide as the major component and having a mean particle size of no greater than 20 ?m, and particles having a ZnTiO3-like structure and/or Zn2Ti3O8-like structure containing aluminum and titanium and having a mean particle size of no greater than 5 ?m, and containing no particles with a spinel oxide structure of zinc aluminate with zinc and aluminum in solid solution, and a manufacturing method for the same. (Al+Ti)/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.004-0.055??(1) Al/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.002-0.025??(2) Ti/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.002-0.048??(3) [In the equations, Al, Ti and Zn represent the contents (atomic percents) of aluminum, titanium and zinc, respectively.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is provided, which includes a redox couple solution and inorganic nanoparticles. The surface of the inorganic nanoparticle may have a substituted or unsubstituted silane group, an ether group, a substituted amino group, a carbonyl group, an ester group, an amide group or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cell and a manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. Dye-sensitized solar cell according to one embodiment of this document can comprise a first substrate including a first electrode, a photo-absorption layer positioned on the first substrate, and a second substrate including a second electrode, the second substrate positioned on the photo-absorption layer and the photo-absorption layer including a middle layer where a plurality of holes are formed.

Abstract: A removable, or reusable, template suitable for forming three dimensional structures of various devices ranging from photovoltaics to electrodes for electrochemical cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element having a laminate structure including, provided on an electrically conductive support, a photoconductor layer having a layer of dye-adsorbed semiconductor fine particles, a charge transfer layer, and a counter electrode, wherein the dye is a metal complex dye represented by the following formula (1): M1L1L2Z1??(1) wherein, in formula (1), M1 represents a metal atom; Z1 represents a monodentate ligand; L1 represents a specific tridentate ligand; and L2 represents a specific bidentate ligand.

Abstract: Use of TiOF2 as semiconductor in a photoelectric conversion device, in particular in a dye-sensitized solar cell. A photoelectric conversion device, in particular a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising a semiconductor layer containing at least TiOF2. The TiOF2 is preferably used in the form of nanoparticles. Dyes, method(s) of making them, and their use in photoelectric conversion devices, especially in dye-sensitized solar cells. A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising at least one fluorinated compound as a dye and at least TiOF2 as semiconductor.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a photovoltaic cell made up of an array of photovoltaic bristles. The photovoltaic bristles may be configured individually and in an array to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may result in high light energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate, a semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor disposed on the substrate, a barrier layer disposed on the semiconductor layer and an insulating layer disposed on the barrier layer. The semiconductor layer includes an oxide semiconductor, and the barrier layer includes a material having a lower standard electrode potential than a semiconductor material of the oxide semiconductor, a lower electron affinity than the semiconductor material of the oxide semiconductor, or a larger band gap than the semiconductor material of the oxide semiconductor. The insulating layer includes at least one of a silicon-based oxide or a silicon-based nitride, and the insulating layer includes a portion which contacts with an upper surface of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A direct bonding method between at least a first layer (104) comprising silicon oxide having a thickness equal to or higher than about 10 nm and a second layer (108) of material having hydrophilicity, comprising at least the steps of: making the first layer (104) on a first substrate (102) such that the absorbance value of this first layer (104), at a vibration frequency of silanol bonds present in the first layer (104) equal to about 3660 cm?1, is equal to or higher than about 1.5×10?5 nm?1, the silanol bonds being formed in at least part of the thickness of the first layer (104) which is equal to or higher than about 10 nm; direct bonding between the first layer (104) and the second layer (108).

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a technique which enables various kinds of conductive polymer composition to be dissolved in an organic solvent and to be used to form a conductive membrane on a target portion easily. Provided is a composite conductive polymer composition, a method of manufacturing the same, and a solution obtained by dissolving the composition in an aromatic solvent, ester-based solvent or ketone-based solvent.

Abstract: A solar cell using a p-i-n nanowire that may generate light by absorbing solar light in a wide wavelength region efficiently without generating light loss and may be manufactured with a simplified process and low cost.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a support substrate, a back electrode layer on the support substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, a high resistance buffer layer on the buffer layer, and a front electrode layer on the high resistance buffer layer. An insulating part is located on a top surface of the light absorbing layer. A method of fabricating the solar cell includes forming the back electrode layer on the substrate, forming the light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, forming the buffer layer on the light absorbing layer, oxidizing a top surface of the buffer layer, and forming the front electrode layer on the buffer layer.

Abstract: A solar cell is discussed. The solar cell according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive type region and a second conductive type region disposed on the same side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive type regions includes a main region and a boundary region disposed at a peripheral portion of the main region, and the boundary region has at least one of a varying doping concentration and a varying doping depth.

Abstract: A conductive paste may include a conductive component and an organic vehicle. The conductive component may include an amorphous metal. The amorphous metal may have a lower resistivity after a crystallization process than before the crystallization process, and at least one of a weight gain of about 4 mg/cm2 or less and a thickness increase of about 30 ?m or less after being heated in a process furnace at a firing temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gel-type polymer electrolyte for a dye-sensitized solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the gel-type polymer electrolyte, and a method for manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, a conductive paste includes a conductive component that contains a conductive powder and a titanium (Ti)-based metallic glass. The titanium-based metallic glass has a supercooled liquid region of about 5K or more, a resistivity after crystallization that is less than a resistivity before crystallization by about 50% or more, and a weight increase by about 0.5 mg/cm2 or less after being heated in a process furnace at a firing temperature. According to example embodiments, an electronic device and a solar cell may include at least one electrode formed using the conductive paste according to example embodiments.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each comprising a substrate, an emitter region placed at the substrate, and an anti-reflection region placed on the emitter region. The anti-reflection region includes a first opening region through which part of the emitter region is exposed and one or more second opening regions through which part of the emitter region is exposed. A first electrode is connected to the exposed emitter region of the first opening region through the anti-reflection region by metal plating and a first bus bar is connected to the exposed emitter region of one or more second opening regions through the anti-reflection region by metal plating.

Abstract: A flexible substrate has heat resistance to endure the high temperature such as sintering of a photovoltaic conversion layer of a compound-type thin film solar cell, can prevent permeation and/or diffusion of metal into the photovoltaic conversion layer, and can be used for many applications. The polyimide layer-containing flexible substrate has a metal substrate of metal foil made of ordinary steel or stainless steel having a coefficient of thermal expansion in a plane direction of not more than 15 ppm/K, or a metal substrate of metal foil made of that ordinary steel or stainless steel on the surface of which a metal layer comprising one of copper, nickel, zinc, or aluminum or an alloy layer of the same is provided, over which a polyimide layer having a layer thickness of 1.5 to 100 ?m and a glass transition point temperature of 300 to 450° C. is formed.

Abstract: A solar cell according to an example embodiment includes: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a photoactive layer formed on the first electrode and including sodium and potassium; a buffer layer formed on the photoactive layer; and a second electrode formed on the buffer layer. The photoactive layer includes an area where a content of sodium is greater than a content of potassium.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The solar cell includes a substrate, a back electrode layer on the substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, and a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer. The back electrode layer, the light absorbing layer, and the buffer layer are formed therein with a first through hole formed through the back electrode layer, the light absorbing layer, and the buffer layer, and an insulating member is deposited in the first through hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell which enhances an area of a photo electrode by arranging metal wires on a surface of a transparent substrate or a transparent conductive layer without degrading a transparency of the solar cell, allowing the metal wires to act as a collector electrode exclusively or together with a metal electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides an optoelectronic device comprising a porous material, which porous material comprises a semiconductor comprising a perovskite. The porous material may comprise a porous perovskite. Thus, the porous material may be a perovskite material which is itself porous. Additionally or alternatively, the porous material may comprise a porous dielectric scaffold material, such as alumina, and a coating disposed on a surface thereof, which coating comprises the semiconductor comprising the perovskite. Thus, in some embodiments the porosity arises from the dielectric scaffold rather than from the perovskite itself. The porous material is usually infiltrated by a charge transporting material such as a hole conductor, a liquid electrolyte, or an electron conductor. The invention further provides the use of the porous material as a semiconductor in an optoelectronic device. Further provided is the use of the porous material as a photosensitizing, semiconducting material in an optoelectronic device.

Abstract: A solar cell is discussed. The solar cell according to an embodiment includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a first conductive type region and a second conductive type region formed on the same side of the photoelectric conversion unit; and an electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion unit and including an adhesive layer formed on the photoelectric conversion unit and an electrode layer formed on the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the photoelectric conversion unit and is less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the electrode layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode placed on the substrate; a second electrode which is placed opposite to the first electrode and which light is incident on; a first unit cell being placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including an intrinsic semiconductor layer including crystalline silicon grains making the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor layer toward the second electrode textured; and a second unit cell placed between the first unit cell and the second electrode.

Abstract: Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a solar cell assembly. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, at least a first solar cell, coupled to a first side of the substrate, the first side of the substrate to be exposed to light such that the at least first solar cell generates a current when exposed to the light, and a bypass diode, formed on a second side of the substrate, the second side of the substrate being substantially opposite the first side of the substrate, such that the bypass diode is monolithically integrated with the at least first solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar-cell-integrated gas production device that can generate a first gas and a second gas by utilizing an electromotive force of a solar cell, and that can supply power to an external circuit by utilizing the same solar cell.

Abstract: A method of connecting two solar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises gripping an interconnect with a head of positioning device, heating the interconnect with the head of the positioning device to between two predetermined temperatures, where one is higher than the other, positioning the interconnect so as to overlay two adjacent solar cells, coupling the interconnect to each of the two adjacent solar cells, and releasing the interconnect from the head.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electroconductive paste formulations useful in solar panel technology. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an inorganic reaction system for use in electroconductive paste compositions, wherein the inorganic reaction system comprises a lead containing matrix composition and a tellurium containing matrix composition. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an electroconductive paste composition comprising a conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a solar cell produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition of the invention to a silicon wafer. Yet another aspect relates to a solar cell module assembled using solar cells produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition to a silicon wafer, wherein the electroconductive paste composition comprises an conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle.

Abstract: An encapsulating sheet for solar cell for encapsulating a solar cell, in which, in a case in which a square sheet obtained by cutting the sheet so that a planar shape becomes a square shape is heated at the atmospheric pressure and 150° C. for 15 minutes and is thus thermally shrunk, when a length of one side of the square sheet before being thermally shrunk is represented by L, a direction in parallel with a first side is considered as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first side is considered as a second direction, and in the thermally-shrunk square sheet, a shortest length in the first direction is represented by M1, and a shortest length in the second direction is represented by M2, 0?|(M1?M2)/L|?0.4 is satisfied.

Abstract: A shadowing compensation device for solar cell module has an input port, an isolated DC-DC power converter, and an output port. The input port is connected to two output ends of a solar cell array comprised of multiple solar cell modules connected in series. The output port is connected to one of the multiple solar cell modules of the solar cell array. When one of the solar cell modules connected to the output port of shadowing compensation device has been shaded, the isolated DC-DC power converter outputs a compensating current to the solar cell module been shaded for increasing the output voltage of the solar cell module been shaded, and increasing the output voltage and output power of the solar cell array.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a doped layer disposed on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate, a doped polysilicon layer disposed in a first region of a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, a doped area disposed in a second region of the second surface, and an insulating layer covering the doped polysilicon layer and the doped area. The insulating layer has openings exposing portions of the doped polysilicon layer and the doped layer, and the doped polysilicon layer and doped layer are respectively connected to a first electrode and a second electrode through the openings. The semiconductor substrate and the doped layer have a first doping type. One of the doped polysilicon layer and the doping area has a second doping type, and the other one of the doped polysilicon layer and the doping area has the first doping type which is opposite to the second doping type.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer thick film conductive composition comprising (a) a conductive silver-coated copper powder; and (b) an organic medium comprising two different resins and organic solvent, wherein the ratio of the weight of the conductive silver-coated copper powder to the total weight of the two different resins is between 5:1 and 45:1. The invention is further directed to a method of electrode grid and/or bus bar formation on thin-film photovoltaic cells using the composition and to cells formed from the method and the composition.

Abstract: A transparent conductive zinc oxide based film according to the present invention contains Ti, Al and Zn in such a proportion that satisfies the following formulae (1), (2) and (3) in terms of atomic ratio, and has a plurality of surface textures different in size on a surface, wherein a center-line average surface roughness Ra of the surface of the transparent conductive film is 30 nm to 200 nm, and an average value of widths of the surface textures is 100 nm to 10 ?m. 0.001?Ti/(Zn+Al+Ti)?0.079.??(1) 0.001?Al/(Zn+Al+Ti)?0.079??(2) 0.010?(Ti+Al)/(Zn+Al+Ti)?0.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell, for example a thin-film photovoltaic cell, having a substrate glass made of aluminosilicate glass, has a glass composition which has SiO2 and Al2O3 as well as the alkali metal oxide Na2O and the alkaline earth oxides CaO, MgO, and BaO, and optionally further components. The glass composition includes 10 to 16 wt.-% Na2O, >0 to <5 wt.-% CaO, and >1 to 10 wt.-% BaO, and the ratio of CaO:MgO is in the range of 0.5 to 1.7. The aluminosilicate glass used is crystallization stable because of the selected quotient of CaO/MgO and has a transformation temperature >580° C. and a processing temperature <1200° C. Therefore, it represents a more thermally stable alternative to soda-lime glass. The aluminosilicate glass is used as a substrate glass, superstrate glass, and/or cover glass for a photovoltaic cells, for example for thin-film photovoltaic cells, in particular those based on semiconductor composite material, such as CdTe, CIS, or CIGS.

Abstract: A solar cell according to embodiments of the present invention includes: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a photoactive layer formed on the first electrode and including group I and III elements; and a second electrode formed on the photoactive layer. The first electrode includes first and second parts respectively having different, resistivity, and group I to group III element composition ratios of the photoactive layer respectively corresponding to the first and second parts are different from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of low-dimensional materials, comprising mixing a pristine material to be abraded with an organic solvent to form a mixture, abrading the material to be abraded by bead-milling, obtaining a suspension comprising the material of low dimension and the organic solvent, and removing the organic solvent from the suspension to obtain the low-dimensional material.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to films capable of use in a flexible photovoltaic solar module, rolls of films capable of use in a flexible photovoltaic solar module, processes of making the films and rolls of films, to flexible photovoltaic solar modules including such films, and to methods of making flexible solar modules. One exemplary process involves providing at least two discrete segments of a multilayer barrier film and placing a segment of protective layer adjacent to two of the adjacent discrete segments of multilayer barrier film such that the first and second terminal edges of the segment of protective layer span the gap between the discrete segments of barrier film to form a continuous film.

Abstract: Disclosed are new compound semiconductors which may be used for solar cells or as thermoelectric materials, and their application. The compound semiconductor may be represented by a chemical formula: InxCo4Sb12-zSez, where 0<x?0.25 and 0.4<z?2.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polymeric compositions adapted for use in forming electronic devices are disclosed. The compositions are thermally curable at temperatures less than about 250° C. Compositions are provided which may be solvent-free and so can be used in processing or manufacturing operations without solvent recovery concerns. The compositions utilize (i) fatty acid modified epoxy acrylate and/or methacrylate monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s), (ii) fatty acid modified polyester acrylate and/or methacrylate monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s), or combinations of (i) and (ii). Also described are electronic assemblies such as solar cells using the various compositions and related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate; and a photoactive layer disposed on the substrate. The photoactive layer includes an electron acceptor material; an electron donor material; and a material having dipoles.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first dielectric layer on the shaded side of the solar cell; and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer includes Hydrogen and the Hydrogen content in the second dielectric layer is measured such that a refractive index of less than 2.0 results for the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon film includes: forming a deposition composition comprising silicon dioxide dispersed in a molten salt; placing a metal substrate and a counter electrode in the composition; and passing a reducing current between the metal substrate and the counter electrode, wherein the reducing current causes reduction of silicon dioxide particles to form a silicon film on the metal substrate.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a Ge or GaAs substrate, as well as a solar cell structure having several subcells deposited on the substrate, the substrate having peripheral side faces, and the solar cell structure having a peripheral circumferential surface, which runs spaced apart from the side faces. To prevent oxidation and penetration of moisture, the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure is coated with a protective, electrically insulating first coating under essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays, or that without encroaching on the solar cell structure, the side faces of the substrate are coated with a protective, electrically insulating second coating or that both the side faces of the substrate as well as the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure are coated with a third coating by essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first heavily doped crystalline-Si (c-Si) layer situated above the substrate, a lightly doped c-Si layer situated above the first heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a second heavily doped c-Si layer situated above the lightly doped c-Si layer, a front side electrode grid situated above the second heavily doped c-Si layer, and a backside electrode grid situated on the backside of the substrate.