A photoelectrode with independent separate structures of an electrochromic layer and a sensitized light-absorbing layer is provided, which includes a first transparent conductive substrate, a first electrochromic layer, and a sensitized light-absorbing layer. The first electrochromic layer and the sensitized light-absorbing layer are disposed on a surface of the first transparent conductive substrate and are adjacent to each other.

A photovoltaic device or solar device including at least one luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) having an upper surface, a lower surface and one or more external sides; at least one perovskite-based photovoltaic cell or solar cell positioned on the outside of at least one of the external sides of said luminescent solar concentrator (LSC), the perovskite being selected from organometal trihalides. The photovoltaic device or solar device may be used advantageously in various applications necessitating the production of electrical energy by utilising light energy, in particular solar radiation energy such as, for example: building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, photovoltaic windows, greenhouses, photobioreactors, noise barriers, lighting equipment, design, advertising, automotive industry. Moreover, the photovoltaic device or solar device can be used both in stand-alone mode and in modular systems.

Present invention discloses a microfluidic energy harvester for converting solar energy into electrical energy. A preferred embodiment of the present microfluidic energy harvester includes a substrate having an embedded central microchannel, electrolyte configured to reside and/or flow in said central microchannel and electrode assembly having one or more pair of electrodes arranged in a series and integrated with said central microchannel from sides ensuring direct contact between said pair for electrodes with said electrolyte while it reside and/or flow in said central microchannel for ensuing electrochemical photovoltaic effect to convert the solar energy into the electrical energy under direct solar illumination by working under regenerative conditions. The microfluidic energy harvester is capable of producing high density power from three different resources, (a) the solar irradiation produces a photovoltaic potential difference between the metal/metal-oxide electrodes, (b) SPR of the metal nanoparticles suspended in the electrolyte amplifies the photovoltaic potential difference under solar irradiation, and (c) the flow of the nanoparticle laden electrolyte produces a streaming potential between the electrodes by converting the mechanical energy into the electrical one near the electrodes. The transparency of the polymer and adequate absorptivity of the metal/metal-oxide electrodes ensured facile absorption of solar irradiation in the microfluidic energy harvester. The flexibility of the MEH can be tuned by adjusting the cross-linking of the PDMS matrix. The multiplicity of the microchannels and electrodes are expected to increase the total amount of energy harvested.

Graphene photodetectors capable of operating in the sub-bandgap region relative to the bandgap of semiconductor nanoparticles, as well as methods of manufacturing the same, are provided. A photodetector can include a layer of graphene, a layer of semiconductor nanoparticles, a dielectric layer, a supporting medium, and a packaging layer. The semiconductor nanoparticles can be semiconductors with bandgaps larger than the energy of photons meant to be detected.

The present disclosure may provide semiconductor perovskite layers and method of making thereof. In some cases, the perovskite layer may comprise a composition of MA.sub.n1FA.sub.n2Cs.sub.n3PbX.sub.3. MA may be methylammonium, FA may be formamidinium, n1, n2, and n3 may independently be greater than 0 and less than 1, and n1+n2+n3 may equal 1.

Provided is a semiconductor element that can generate power with high efficiency and has high durability. A multilayer junction photoelectric conversion element according to an embodiment includes: a first electrode; a first photoactive layer including a perovskite semiconductor; a first doped layer; a second photoactive layer including silicon; a second doped layer; a passivation layer; and a second electrode in this order. The interlayer interface existing between the first photoactive layer and the adjacent layer is a substantially smooth surface, and the multilayer junction photoelectric conversion element further includes a light scattering layer that penetrate a part of the passivation layer and electrically join the second doped layer and the second electrode. The element can be manufactured by a method including forming a bottom cell including a second active layer and then forming a first photoactive layer by coating.

An energy storage device comprising a substrate comprising a groove having a first and a second face. A capacitor material in the groove. The first and the second face of the groove having a coat of metal. Wherein the coat of metal on the first face is not in electrical contact with the coat of metal on the second face.

A solar cell system and a flexible solar panel are disclosed herein. The solar cell system includes a glass housing, a set of rows of solar cells each defining a front side and a rear side and arranged within the glass housing. The solar cell system can also include a reflective element disposed in the glass housing and facing the rear side of the set of rows of solar cells and a first terminal coupled to a first end of the set of rows of solar cells, traversing through and sealed against the first end of the glass housing. The solar cell system can be configured with other solar cell systems into the flexible solar panel that is deployable in a wide range of potential applications.

A three-tandem (3T) perovskite/silicon (PVT)-based tandem solar cell (TSC) includes an antireflection coating (ARC), a first transparent conductive oxide layer (TCO), a hole transport layer (HTL), a perovskite (PVT) layer, a second transparent conductive oxide layer (TCO), an electron transport layer (ETL), a plurality of buried contacts, a p-type Si layer, a p-type wafer-based homo-junction silicon solar cell, a n.sup.+ silicon layer, a back contact layer. The solar cell further includes a top sub-cell, a bottom sub-cell and a middle contact-based tandem. The top sub-cell includes the PVT layer. The bottom sub-cell includes the silicon solar cell. The middle contact-based tandem includes the second TCO layer to be used as the middle contact-based tandem, as well as a recombination layer for current collection. Further, a conduction and a valence band edge are employed at a front surface of the ETL.

A solar cell system and a flexible solar panel are disclosed herein. The solar cell system includes a glass housing, a set of rows of solar cells each defining a front side and a rear side and arranged within the glass housing. The solar cell system can also include a reflective element disposed in the glass housing and facing the rear side of the set of rows of solar cells and a first terminal coupled to a first end of the set of rows of solar cells, traversing through and sealed against the first end of the glass housing. The solar cell system can be configured with other solar cell systems into the flexible solar panel that is deployable in a wide range of potential applications.