Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell array intended for use in space. The solar cell array includes a lightweight, compressible concentrator which can be efficiently deployed. The solar cell array includes a first column of solar cells and a second column of solar cells. A reflective concentrator may be positioned between the first column of solar cells and the second column of solar cells. The reflective concentrator may include a thin film material, where the reflective concentrator is compressible to a first height when in the stowed position. A spring may be coupled to the concentrator, wherein the spring urges the reflective concentrator to a second height when the reflective concentrator is deployed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil supported by a carrier and comprising a plurality of photovoltaic layers which together have the ability of generating electric current from incident light, a back-electrode layer on one side adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, and a transparent conductor layer on the other side of, and adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, which method comprises the following subsequent steps: providing a temporary substrate, applying the transparent conductor layer, applying the photovoltaic layers, applying the back-electrode layer, applying the carrier, removing the temporary substrate, and, preferably, applying a top coat on the side of the transparent conductor layer.

Abstract: The integrated thin film solar battery of this invention includes a plurality of unit cells serially connected with one another on a same translucent insulating substrate, each of the unit cells including a transparent conductive film electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a back electrode formed in this order so that the transparent conductive film electrode of one unit cell is serially connected to the back electrode of an adjacent unit cell, wherein the transparent conductive film electrode of one unit cell and the back electrode of an adjacent unit cell are connected via a contact line, and the contact line is formed by patterning by scribing the photoelectric conversion layer using a laser beam, and a wavelength of the laser beam exceeding 0.

Abstract: A method for forming a large imaging panel by assembling a plurality of smaller submodules, the method comprising providing an adhesive filler between two abutting edges of a first and a second submodule, and forming a degassing channel in the adhesive filler extending along the length of the abutting edges. The method may further comprise adhering the submodules onto a top surface of a base plate, beveling the abutting edges of the submodules, and forming the degassing channel in the space between the beveled edges and the base plate.

Abstract: A process for producing a solar battery comprising a step of preparing a sheet material for protective covering having an adhesion surface which is large enough for attaching thereon a plurality of solar battery bodies; a step of applying an adhesive to at least one of adhesion surfaces of the sheet material for protective covering or the solar battery bodies; a step of bonding the solar battery bodies to the sheet material for protective covering; and a step of cutting the resulting solar battery bodies into a desired number of the solar battery bodies covered with the sheet material.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic polymer insulator in a semiconductor device comprises the step of causing a thermal polymerization of at least one kind of monomers and oligomers supplied in vapor phase.

Abstract: The blue signal of a CMOS-based color pixel is increased with respect to the red and green signals by lowering the doping concentration of the surface regions of the pn-junction photodiodes that are used in the blue imaging cells with respect to the surface regions of the pn-junction photodiodes that are used in the red and green imaging cells.

Abstract: For facilitating work and improving durability of a grounding conductor without a need for preparation of a separate grounding conductor for grounding a solar cell array, a solar cell array is provided comprising a plurality of solar cell modules each comprising a solar cell element and an electroconductive outer portion, the plurality of solar cell modules being electrically connected by an electric wire, wherein the electric wire has a plurality of cores, at least one of the cores being connected to an electric connection portion for leading a power of the solar cell elements out and at least one of the cores being connected to a grounding portion.

Abstract: An insulating film is formed on a conductive substrate, a conductor film is deposited on the insulating film, and a plurality of first electrodes are formed by forming at least one groove in the conductor film. A transparent layer is so formed as to cover the first electrodes and bury the groove formed in the conductor film. A photovoltaic layer is formed on the transparent layer, and an ITO film is deposited on the photovoltaic layer. A plurality of second electrodes are formed by forming at least one groove in the ITO film in parallel with the groove formed in the conductor film. A groove or a hole extending through at least the photovoltaic layer is formed between the two parallel grooves, and a conductive material is filled in this groove or hole, thereby electrically connecting the first and second electrodes adjacent to each other. Since the groove for separating the adjacent first electrodes is buried with the transparent layer, no defects occur due to the step in the groove.

Abstract: A plurality of series-connected elements are arranged, as parallel elongated stripes, on a common electrically insulating transparent substrate (1). Each element comprises a photoanode (4), a porous counterelectrode or cathode (6) and an intermediate electrically insulating porous layer (5) separating the photoanode (4) from the cathode (6). The pores of the intermediate layer (5), the photoanode (4) and the cathode (6) are at least partially filled with an electron transferring electrolyte. An intermediate layer (2) of a transparent electrically conducting material is interposed between the substrate (1) and each photoanode (4). The cathode (6) of the first photovoltaic element of the series is electrically connected with a first terminal (9) of the battery. The cathode (6) of each following element is connected with the intermediate conducting layer (2) of the preceding element, over a gap (3) separating the respective intermediate layers (2) of these two elements.

Abstract: Methods for "monolithic module assembly" which translate many of the advantages of monolithic module construction of thin-film PV modules to wafered c-Si PV modules. Methods employ using back-contact solar cells positioned atop electrically conductive circuit elements affixed to a planar support so that a circuit capable of generating electric power is created. The modules are encapsulated using encapsulant materials such as EVA which are commonly used in photovoltaic module manufacture. The methods of the invention allow multiple cells to be electrically connected in a single encapsulation step rather than by sequential soldering which characterizes the currently used commercial practices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fabricating an array of photovoltaic elements connected in series, which can be used as a high-efficiency solar battery, at low cost and with high reliability. The process for fabricating the array of photovoltaic elements connected in series is characterized in that a step (.alpha.) for forming insulating strips of second electrode material is carried out by immersing in a solution a substrate having a first electrode thereon, and on which the second electrode is deposited, and an opposed electrode of a concentrated electric field type positioned opposite the surface of the second electrode in the vicinity thereof and applying a voltage between the first electrode and the opposed electrode. Further, it is characterized in that a step (.beta.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor is described which includes a planarizing layer incorporated into a means of color separation. The planarizing layer has been found to provide a smooth, uniform surface for coating and adhesion of a color separator within the active device area. The planarizing layer remains on the completed device and is patterned to permit access to bonding pads. Negative photoresist materials, photoinitiated polymerization imaging systems and positive imaging systems may be selected for use as the planarizing layer.

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell includes an insulating flexible substrate, a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions each having a rear electrode layer, an amorphous semiconductor layer and a transparent electrode layer, formed in this order on a first surface of the substrate, and a connecting electrode layer formed on a second surface of the substrate, so as to extend over two adjacent photoelectric conversion regions. The rear electrode layer is connected with the connecting electrode layer, through extended parts thereof deposited on an inner wall of a first hole formed through the rear electrode layer, substrate and the connecting electrode layer. The amorphous semiconductor layer includes an extended portion covering a surface of a portion of the connecting electrode layer located on a periphery of the first hole.