A solar energy utilization system includes a solar panel, a motor driven by an inverter circuit functioning as a motor drive circuit with power output by the solar panel, a solar output voltage monitor functioning as a monitor that monitors an input or an output of the solar panel and also functioning as a monitor that monitors an input or an output of the inverter circuit, and a controller. The controller has a control mode in which the inverter circuit is controlled such that an output voltage of the solar panel is maintained at a voltage higher than a maximum power point voltage. In this control mode, the controller performs the control such that a rotation speed of the motor is changed repeatedly at predetermined timings.

Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module comprising a plurality of PV-cells (i,j), the plurality PV-cells (i,j) being of a type having one or more back side contacts and divided in a preset number of strings (3) of series connected PV-cells (i. j). By-pass diodes are connectable in parallel to each of the preset number of strings (3), and three or more strings (3) are provided. The plurality of PV-cells (i,j) are positioned such that electrical connections to the first PV-cell and last PV-cell of each of the preset number of strings (3) are provided in a part of the back side connection layer overlapping a part of a two-by-two arrangement of PV-cells (i,j).

Photovoltaic systems and methods for optimizing the harvesting of solar energy are disclosed. A photovoltaic (PV) system includes: a solar panel module. The solar panel module comprises: a plurality of solar cell arrays, wherein each array comprises a grouping of solar cells; and a tubular panel. The plurality of solar cell arrays are arranged along an inside surface of the panel. At least an upper portion of the panel slopes inward such that the panel has a substantially funnel-shaped geometry. The solar cell arrays are arranged in a C-ring pattern. A first solar cell array is separated from a second solar cell array by a predetermined distance. The area between the solar cell arrays is coated with a reflective material to facilitate optimal reflection of incident sunlight back to the solar cells. Recycling of incident light is facilitated within the tube. The light can be intermittently or continuously recycled.

A solar battery module is provided that includes plural solar battery cells, plural interconnectors each having a shock absorber, a sealing layer, a back face layer, and a front face layer having optical transparency. The plural solar battery cells each include an electrode on a peripheral edge portion at a back face that does not receive sunlight. The plural interconnectors extend along the peripheral edge portions, and connect the electrodes of the plural solar battery cells to each other. The sealing layer seals each of the solar battery cells and each of the interconnectors. The shock absorber is disposed in a region between corner portions of adjacent or diagonally opposing solar battery cells, and permits movement of the solar battery cells accompanying expansion or contraction of at least one out of the back face layer or the front face layer.

Solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by metallization structures having a metal bridge, and singulation approaches to forming solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by metallization structures, are described. In an example, the metal bridge can provide structural support and provide for an electrical connection between a first contact pad and a first busbar. Adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions have a groove there between and where the metal bridge can be perpendicular to the groove. The solar cell can include a first contact pad adjacent to a second contact pad.

An adjusting device for adjusting orientation of an energy conversion board comprises a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member and a base. The first frame member contains the energy conversion board. The second frame member holds the first frame member. The third frame member holds the second frame member. The base supports the third frame including the other frames and the energy conversion board. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, the second frame member is rotatable relative to the third frame, and the third frame member is rotatable relative to the base. The first rotating axis is perpendicular to the second rotating axis, and the third rotating axis is coaxial with the first rotating axis.

A solar cell system includes a bifacial solar cell module which is to be installed tilted relative to a horizontal plane with one edge in an upper position and another edge in a lower position, the solar cell module including: a solar panel which has a solar cell array region in which a plurality of solar cells are disposed; and a frame which includes portions surrounding a periphery of the solar panel, wherein the solar cell array region is formed in such a manner that a first distance between the solar cell array region and the portion of the frame along the other edge of the solar cell module is greater than a second distance between the solar cell array region and the portion of the frame along the one edge of the solar cell module.

A solar battery module is provided with a plurality of solar cells, a wiring material for connecting adjacent solar cells in the longitudinal directors to form strings, and a reflective body disposed on the rear-surface side of the solar cells, said body reflecting at least some incident light toward the solar cells. In the solar battery module, the strings are multiply disposed In the horizontal direction to constitute string groups, intervals D.sub.20 between adjacent strings being formed wider in the longitudinal center section of the string groups than in the longitudinal end sections.

A photovoltaic structure can include two or more sets of parallel conductive fingers on a top surface and a bottom surface, such that the fingers can collect an electric current from the underlying photovoltaic structure. A scribing system can scribe a groove of a predetermined depth near and perpendicular to the plurality of fingers of the photovoltaic structure, and the photovoltaic structure can be cleaved along the groove to produce multiple strips that each can include a set of parallel fingers. An adhesive dispense system may deposit a band of conductive adhesive that can overlap a set of parallel fingers on each strip, and the strips may be overlapped over the conductive adhesive to form a string of cascaded strips. An adhesive-curing system can include an oven that may cure the conductive adhesive on one or more strips of the string at a time.

A solar panel array includes a plurality of sub-arrays of solar panels. For each sub-array, the solar panels are electrically connected in series, have unequal shapes, and have equal areas.