A display device comprising at least: (a) a plurality of photovoltaic active areas and a plurality of holes, two neighboring photovoltaic active areas forming an opening; (b) one or more artificial light sources; (c) a plurality of light concentrators and reflective opaque disposed between said light sources and said photovoltaic active areas. This device wherein said hubs of light are arranged so that the light emitted from artificial light sources is directed by the light concentrators through the holes.

Provided is a solar battery module having an outer edge maintained by a frame, and comprising a group of strings formed by using a plurality of solar battery cells, connecting adjacent solar battery cells in a longitudinal direction by an inter-cell wiring material to form a plurality of strings, and arranging the plurality of strings in a transverse direction, wherein a spacing distance A between the interior of the frame and the frame-side edge of solar battery cells of the outermost string in the group of strings, a spacing distance B between solar battery cells constituting adjacent strings in the group of strings, and a spacing distance C between the solar battery cells in the transverse direction satisfy the relationship {(995A20C)/1005}<B<{(1005A+20C)/995}. Additionally, an olefinic resin is used in a first sealing member on the light receiving surface side.

A method of fabricating an optoelectronic device includes the steps of providing a semiconductor unit and forming a plurality of metal contacts on a surface of the semiconductor unit for electrical conduction. The method further includes the step of forming a plurality of color coating regions on top of the plurality of metal contacts, the plurality of color coating regions imparting a color different than a color of the plurality of metal contacts.

A solar powered satellite system is provided. A power control system, for example, of the solar powered satellite system may include, but is not limited to, a first interface configured to receive a power signal from the satellite receiver, a voltage converter electrically coupled to the first interface, the voltage converter configured to reduce a voltage of the power signal received from the satellite receiver to a predetermined voltage, a second interface configured to receive a power signal from the solar panel assembly, a third interface configured to be coupled to at least one power consumer of a satellite antenna system, and a source selection circuit electrically coupled to the voltage converter, the solar panel assembly and the third interface, the source selection circuit configured to output a selected power signal based upon a comparison between the predetermined voltage and a voltage of the power signal from the solar panel assembly.

A self-powered electronic system comprises a first chip (401) of single-crystalline semiconductor embedded in a second chip (302) of single-crystalline semiconductor shaped as a container bordered by ridges. The assembled chips are nested and form an electronic device assembled, in turn, in a slab of weakly p-doped low-grade silicon shaped as a container (330) bordered by ridges (331). The flat side (335) of the slab includes a heavily n-doped region (314) forming a pn-junction (315) with the p-type bulk. A metal-filled deep silicon via (350) through the p-type ridge (331) connects the n-region with the terminal (322) on the ridge surface as cathode of the photovoltaic cell with the p-region as anode. The voltage across the pn-junction serves as power source of the device.

A photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a controllable heater for heating the plurality of photovoltaic cells to a temperature of at least 90 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 10 minutes, the plurality of photovoltaic cells in a manufactured state such that the plurality of photovoltaic cells are capable of producing electricity when illuminated. In one embodiment, controllable heater includes an infrared absorber, where the infrared absorber is adapted for moving between a stored position and a deployed position, and where the infrared absorber is adapted for heating the photovoltaic module using absorbed infrared radiation when in the deployed position.

An apparatus for restoring efficiency of a photovoltaic cell includes an illumination module for illuminating one or more photovoltaic cells such that the one or more photovoltaic cells receive a time integrated irradiance equivalent to at least 5 hours of solar illumination. The apparatus includes an annealing module for annealing the one or more photovoltaic cells at a temperature above 90 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 10 minutes, the annealing in response to illuminating the one or more photovoltaic cells.

A solar cell module (100) comprises a first terminal (101) and a second terminal (102), a plurality of solar cells (110) and a switch (120). The solar cells (110) can be electrically connected to one another between the first terminal (101) and the second terminal (102) in order to generate a voltage between the first terminal (101) and the second terminal (102) in normal operation. The switch (120) electrically connects the first terminal (101) and the second terminal (102) to one another in a default setting or isolates the plurality of solar cells (110) from the first or from the second terminal (101, 102) and can be controlled in such a way that, when a valid control signal is present, the first terminal (101) is electrically isolated from the second terminal (102) or the plurality of solar cells (110) are connected to the first and the second terminal (101, 102).

An innovative, low-density, highly-insulating modular panel for use in many applications and industries. The panel has a frame that may be preformed or bent and may be made of rigid or flexible material, and a panel covering comprising at least one pocket of thin, low-density shade fabric that has the capability of sufficiently stretching to surround the frame when the pocket is pulled onto it. The pocket may be then secured, along any previously open end where the frame was inserted, by various fastening devices. The panel covering pocket may have additional features added, as described herein. The panel is durable and cost-effective, and has good solar-control and insulating qualities. It is also a windbreak panel, a noise-reduction panel, an impact protection panel, a water-resistant panel, a fall protection panel, and a pollution-control panel. Two or more panels can be joined to create a structure-protecting panel assembly or system.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell includes a multi-layer semiconductor structure with at least one tapered corner and an electrode that includes a metallic grid having a plurality of finger lines and a single busbar with multiple segments coupled to the finger lines. The single busbar is configured to collect current from the finger lines. The busbar may have a center portion and side portion(s). The side portion(s) may be connected to the center portion forming a non-180-degree angle with the center portion. The finger lines may also be connected to the side portion(s).