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Photoelectrode substrate of dye sensitizing solar cell, and method for producing same

Patent Number: 8110740
Publication Date: 2012-02-07
Inventor: Miyoshi, Kozo

In a dye sensitizing solar cell 1 wherein an electrolyte 4 is filled in a space between a photoelectrode substrate 2 and a counter electrode of a counter electrode substrate 3, a composite film 7 comprising metal portions 7a of titanium or the like and oxide portions 7b thereof is formed on a transparent electrode film 6 formed on the surface of a substrate member 5, and a porous semiconductor electrode film ...

Solar cell and method of fabricating the same

Patent Number: 8110739
Publication Date: 2012-02-07
Inventors: Chen, Miin-Jang; Hsu, Wen-Ching; Wang, Jung-Tsung; Ho, Ya-Lan

The invention provides a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a semiconductor structure combination and a multi-atomic-layer structure formed of at least one oxide. The semiconductor structure combination includes at least one p-n junction and has an illuminated surface. The multi-atomic-layer structure overlays the illuminated surface of the semiconductor structure combination. In particular, the ...

Protective layer for large-scale production of thin-film solar cells

Patent Number: 8110738
Publication Date: 2012-02-07
Inventors: Corson, John; Schmidt, Chris

A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, ...

Collector grid, electrode structures and interrconnect structures for photovoltaic arrays and methods of manufacture

Patent Number: 8110737
Publication Date: 2012-02-07
Inventor: Luch, Daniel

The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and ...

Thermoelectric element device and thermoelectric module

Patent Number: 8110736
Publication Date: 2012-02-07
Inventors: Tateyama, Kazuki; Kondo, Naruhito; Tsuneoka, Osamu; Iwanade, Naokazu; Sogou, Takahiro

The present invention according to one preferred embodiment provides a thermoelectric element device comprising a first electrode including an electrode member, an elastic member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the electrode member, and a heat uniforming member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the elastic member; a thermoelectric element that is made of a thermoelectric material having thermoelectric effect and arranged on the first electrode so as to ...

Glass composition for dye-sensitized solar cell and material for dye-sensitized solar cell

Patent Number: 8106294
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventors: Hayashi, Masaaki; Sawada, Masahiro; Amano, Kouji; Yamada, Tomoko

A dye-sensitized solar cell having high long-term reliability is provided by inventing a glass composition, which is hardly eroded by an iodine electrolyte solution and has a low-melting point property, and a material using the glass composition. The glass composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell of the present invention is characterized by including as a glass composition, in terms of mass %, 20 to 70% of V₂O₅and 10 to 50% of ...

Photovoltaic cell with buffer zone

Patent Number: 8106293
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventor: Sater, Bernard L.

Systems and methods that provide a barrier for protection of active layers associated with a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell. Buffer zone(s) in form of an inactive layer(s) arrangement safe guard the active layers against induced stress or strain resulting from external forces/thermal factors (e.g., welding). The buffer zone can be in form of a rim on a surface of an end layer of a cell unit, to act as a protective boundary for such active layer, and to further partially ...

Volume compensation within a photovoltaic device

Patent Number: 8106292
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventors: Leong, Tim; Cumpston, Brian

Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The ...

Solar battery and manufacturing method therefor

Patent Number: 8106291
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventors: Morikawa, Hiroaki; Karakida, Shoichi

When forming an electrode by printing several times, the cross section area of the electrode is increased and the resistance is reduced while more electrode material is required, which leads to a cost up and waste of resources. There is provided a solar cell manufacturing method for forming an electrode of a predetermined pattern by repeating printing on a substrate surface by a predetermined number of times. A mask pattern for printing the entire predetermined pattern is used at least once ...

Method for manufacturing single crystal silicon solar cell and single crystal silicon solar cell

Patent Number: 8106290
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventors: Ito, Atsuo; Kubota, Yoshihiro; Kawai, Makoto; Akiyama, Shoji; Tanaka, Kouichi; Tobisaka, Yuuji

A method for manufacturing a single crystal silicon solar cell includes implanting either hydrogen ions or rare-gas ions into a single crystal silicon substrate; bringing the single crystal silicon substrate in close contact with a transparent insulator substrate via a transparent adhesive, with the ion-implanted surface being a bonding surface; curing the transparent adhesive; mechanically delaminating the single crystal silicon substrate to form a single crystal silicon layer; forming a ...

Hybrid photovoltaic device

Patent Number: 8106289
Publication Date: 2012-01-31
Inventor: Dutta, Achyut Kumar

A hybrid photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a matrix of a photosensitive material including one or more layers. A combination of innovative structural aspects of the hybrid photovoltaic device results in significant improvements in collection of incident light from the solar spectrum, better absorption of light, and better collection of the photo-carriers generated in response to the incident light, thereby improving efficiency of the hybrid ...

Chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising a metal substrate, coated metal substrate for a photovoltaic solar cell and manufacturing method thereof

Patent Number: 8101858
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Hannour, Fouzia; van Haastrecht, Gijsbertus Cornelis; Flores Ramírez, José Reyes

A chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell. This cell comprises a metal substrate. A conductive layer is present between the metal substrate and a chalcopyrite semiconductor. The conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor. Also disclosed is a coated metal substrate, in particular a metal strip for producing the individual metal substrates of a solar cell, as well as a manufacturing method ...

Organic devices, organic electroluminescent devices and organic solar cells

Patent Number: 8101857
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Kido, Junji; Matsumoto, Toshio; Nakada, Takeshi

An organic device, including an organic compound having charge-transporting ability (i.e., transporting holes and/or electrons) and/or including organic light emissive molecules capable of emitting at least one of fluorescent light or phosphorescent light, has a charge transfer complex-contained layer including a charge transfer complex formed upon contact of an organic hole-transporting compound and molybdenum trioxide via a manner of lamination or mixing thereof, so that the organic ...

Quantum well GaP/Si tandem photovoltaic cells

Patent Number: 8101856
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: Hovel, Harold J.

Two junction solar energy conversion devices, i.e. photovoltaic cells have a bottom silicon N+/P/P+ photovoltaic cell and an upper GaP N+/P/P+ photovoltaic cell containing quantum well layers which extend the wavelength range over which the GaP cell absorbs light. The quantum well layers are composed of materials other than Gallium Phosphide (GaP) and may be either pseudomorphic or metamorphic. Light trapping may be incorporated at the top surface of the GaP photovoltaic cell along with ...

Optical concentrator, especially for solar photovoltaics

Patent Number: 8101855
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Parkyn, Jr., William A.; Benitez, Pablo; Miñano, Juan Carlos; Hernandez, Maikel; Cvetkovic, Aleksandra

In one embodiment of a solar concentrator, a tailored aspheric lens augments the solar-concentrator performance of a concave mirror, widening its acceptance angle for easier solar tracking, making it more cost-competitive for ultra-large arrays. The molded-glass secondary lens also includes a short rod for reducing the peak concentration on a photovoltaic cell that is optically bonded to the end of the rod. The Simultaneous Multiple Surface method produces lens shapes suitable for a variety ...

Solar cell electrode

Patent Number: 8101854
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: Akimoto, Hideki

A p-type electrode on p⁺ layer of solar cell comprising, prior to firing; (a) Electrically conductive particles comprising silver particle having a particle size of 0.1 to 10 microns and added particle composed of a metal particle supported by carbon particles, wherein the metal particle is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt particle, (b) Glass frit, and (c) A resin binder, wherein the electrode is made from a fired conductive paste ...

Solar cell electrode

Patent Number: 8101853
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: Akimoto, Hideki

A p-type electrode on p⁺ layer of solar cell comprising, prior to firing; (a) Electrically conductive particles comprising silver particle having a particle size of 0.1 to 10 microns and added particle composed of silver particle coated with a metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt, (b) Glass frit, and (c) A resin binder, wherein the electrode is made from a fired conductive paste which is comprised of 40 to 90 wt % of the silver ...

Single-sided contact solar cell with plated- through holes and method for its production

Patent Number: 8101852
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Stangl, Rolf; Gall, Stefan

In an embodiment of the present invention, a single-sided contact solar cell includes an absorber layer with plated-through holes; an emitter layer disposed on a first side of the absorber layer, the emitter layer including one or more semiconductor materials having different dopants; a field passivation layer disposed on a second side of the absorber layer; a contact grid covered on a top surface thereof with an insulation layer and electrically connected to a first end of the ...

Process for manufacturing a solar cell foil using a temporary substrate

Patent Number: 8101851
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: Dubbeldam, Gerrit Cornelis

The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a solar cell foil comprising the steps of:

- providing an etchable temporary substrate
- applying a front electrode of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) onto the temporary substrate
- applying a photovoltaic layer onto the TCO layer
- applying a back electrode layer
- applying a permanent carrier
- ensuring that the front ...

Asymmetric parabolic compound concentrator with photovoltaic cells

Patent Number: 8101850
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: McCall, Joe

An asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator (ACPC) coupled with a photovoltaic cell is disclosed according to some embodiments. The disclosed ACPC can concentrate solar light from a large full acceptance angle toward the photovoltaic cell. In some embodiments, the ACPC can be submerged within a liquid (e.g., water). The liquid can increase the full acceptance angle, provide temperature damping, and provide structural inertia to the system. In some embodiments, the ACPC can be constructed ...

Tilt assembly for tracking solar collector assembly

Patent Number: 8101849
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Peurach, John; Almy, Charles; Sandler, Reuben

A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the ...

Solar photovoltaic output for cloudy conditions with a solar tracking system

Patent Number: 8101848
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Kelly, Nelson A.; Gibson, Thomas L.

An array of solar powered photovoltaic modules is optimally oriented and operated to provide more electrical energy for uses such as powering an electrolyzer system for hydrogen production. The array is positioned with its light receiving surface at an optimal angle, preferably a continually changing angle determined by two-axis solar tracking, when continually measured solar irradiance indicates suitable sunlight, and at a horizontal position when measured solar irradiance indicates ...

Thermoelectric module

Patent Number: 8101847
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventor: Okamura, Takeshi

A thermoelectric module includes a first substrate, a second substrate having a second surface which is apart from and faces a first surface of the first substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on the first and the second surfaces, a plurality of electrodes on the first and second surfaces each electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and a ground electrode on at least the first surface. The plurality of electrodes on at least ...

Solid state thermoelectric power converter

Patent Number: 8101846
Publication Date: 2012-01-24
Inventors: Hirsch, Gerald Philip; Schroeder, Jon Murray

High efficiency conversion of heat energy to electrical energy is achieved using a ring of metallic components and anodically sliced, reduced barriers, high purity n-type and p-type semiconductor wafers. Energy produced by heating one set of fins and cooling another set is extracted from a ring of bismuth telluride based n-type wafers and antimony telluride based p-type wafers using make-before-break control of MOSfet switch banks. Standard AC frequencies and DC output result from ...

Solar energy system

Patent Number: 8097803
Publication Date: 2012-01-17
Inventors: Chang, Yi-Chieh; Chen, Yarn-Chen

A solar energy system includes a reflecting unit, a heat absorber and a first solar panel. The reflecting unit having a photovoltaic cell with a first energy band gap and a reflecting surface reflects or focuses sunlight. The reflecting unit converts the sunlight with a wavelength shorter than or equal to x nm into electric energy according to the first energy band gap, and reflects or focuses the sunlight with a wavelength longer than x nm onto the heat absorber and the first solar panel. ...

Thermoelectric material including a multiple transition metal-doped type I clathrate crystal structure

Patent Number: 8097802
Publication Date: 2012-01-17
Inventors: Chen, Lidong; Yang, Jihui; Shi, Xun; Bai, Shengqiang; Zhang, Wenqing; Yang, Jiong

A thermoelectric material includes a multiple transition metal-doped type I clathrate crystal structure having the formula A₈TM_y₁¹TM_y₂². . . TM_y_nⁿM_zX_46-y₁_-y₂_{- . . . -y}_n_-z. In the formula, A is selected from the group ...