A multiple function microstructure with lotus and light trapping effects includes plural triangular walls with same and different heights and having a triangular cross section and arranged apart or staggered with one another, and a surface layer, a middle layer having zero to plural layers, and a bottom layer. The bottom layer and one of the other layers constitute a closed space to form an air spring, so that droplets can be bounced and separated from the surface of the microstructure. Each triangular wall has a cross section substantially in a smooth upwardly convex curve to prevent droplets from cracking while dropping. The microstructure selectively made of a hydrophobic material provides lotus and light trapping effects, and the microstructure selectively made of an oleophobic material provides a superoleophobic effect, and the surface of the microstructure may be coated with various type of chemical materials for different applications.

A multiple function microstructure with lotus and light trapping effects includes plural triangular walls with same and different heights and having a triangular cross section and arranged apart or staggered with one another, and a surface layer, a middle layer having zero to plural layers, and a bottom layer. The bottom layer and one of the other layers constitute a closed space to form an air spring, so that droplets can be bounced and separated from the surface of the microstructure. Each triangular wall has a cross section substantially in a smooth upwardly convex curve to prevent droplets from cracking while dropping. The microstructure selectively made of a hydrophobic material provides lotus and light trapping effects, and the microstructure selectively made of an oleophobic material provides a superoleophobic effect, and the surface of the microstructure may be coated with various type of chemical materials for different applications.

According to one embodiment, a solar cell module includes a solar cell panel and a concentrator. The solar cell panel includes a solar cell. The concentrator reflects light incident from the outside and irradiates the light onto the solar cell. The concentrator has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface reflects light incident at a first incident angle and irradiates the light incident at the first incident angle onto a first portion within the area of the solar cell. The second surface reflects light incident at a second incident angle and irradiates the light incident at the second incident angle onto a second portion within the area of the solar cell. The second incident angle is different from the first incident angle. The second portion is different from the first portion. The first surface and the second surface are asymmetric as viewed from the solar cell.

According to one embodiment, a solar cell module includes a solar cell panel and a concentrator. The solar cell panel includes a solar cell. The concentrator reflects light incident from the outside and irradiates the light onto the solar cell. The concentrator has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface reflects light incident at a first incident angle and irradiates the light incident at the first incident angle onto a first portion within the area of the solar cell. The second surface reflects light incident at a second incident angle and irradiates the light incident at the second incident angle onto a second portion within the area of the solar cell. The second incident angle is different from the first incident angle. The second portion is different from the first portion. The first surface and the second surface are asymmetric as viewed from the solar cell.

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

A tilt adjustment system for a solar panel mountable to a vehicle surface has a first panel bracket defined by an upper flat section and a lower flat section. A first lift jack has a jacking head mounted to the upper flat section and a foot mountable to the vehicle surface. An upper face of the solar panel is positioned below a plane of the upper flat section of the first panel bracket. A second panel bracket is defined by an upper flat section and a lower flat section. A second lift jack has a jacking head mounted to the upper flat section and a foot mountable to the vehicle surface. The upper face of the solar panel is positioned below a plane of the upper flat section of the second panel bracket.

A system including a solar module installed on a roof deck, including a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. An upper surface of the superstrate layer includes an indentation pattern. The indentation pattern includes a mesh of indentations indented into the upper surface of the superstrate layer and a plurality of openings defined by the mesh of indentations.

Antireflective nanoparticle coatings and methods of forming the coatings on substrates are disclosed. One method for forming an antireflective coating includes depositing a nanoparticle coating layer on a substrate, wherein the nanoparticle coating layer includes a colloidal solution of nanoparticles and a solidifying material. The solidifying material includes a silica precursor. The method further includes curing the solidifying material to form silica inter-particle connections between adjacent nanoparticles and between at least some of the nanoparticles and the substrate to bind the nanoparticles to each other and to the substrate to form the antireflective coating.

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.