A cleaning system for cleaning a circular panel or any other circular surface is provided. The system has a base mechanically fastened to the circular panel. An axis stub pivotally connected to the base and attached to a pivot member provides rotation for a blade set. The blade set includes a first blade and a second blade configured to rotate independently about the pivot member in either a clockwise or a counter clockwise direction, wherein the second blade is configured to sit above the first bade, each blade having at least one row of sprinkler holes positioned on each side of the blade running lengthwise. The at least one row of sprinkler holes are configured to eject a fluid to either clean, cool, or thaw the circular panel. The first blade includes a roller having cleaning implements configured to clean the circular panel as the first blade rotates about the pivot member.

First, first cell wiring members from the first solar cell and second cell wiring members from the second solar cell are sandwiched between a wiring member film and a second bridge wiring member. Subsequently, the first cell wiring members and the second cell wiring members are connected to the second bridge wiring member by applying heat to at least the first cell wiring members, the second cell wiring members, and the second bridge wiring member by induction heating.

Structured photovoltaic assemblies and method of manufacture therefor. The assemblies can be assembled similar to flex circuits and have mechanical support structures disposed within the assembly. The supports can be sized and shaped to one or a group of solar cells in the assembly. The solar cells supported by a particular support may be interconnected with cells supported by a different support. The supports can be transparent. The connection of the interconnects to the solar cells can be enhanced by forming protrusions in vias through openings in the Insulating layer that are aligned with the solar cells. Alternatively, the openings can be filled with a conductive material in such forms as powder, ink, paste, or metal nanoparticles, and a laser can be used to melt and/or sinter the material to form the connection to the solar cell. These techniques can withstand large temperature swings over a large number of cycles, which occur in, for example, space applications.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a perovskite material comprising negatively charged layers alternated with and neutralized by positively charged layers; the negatively charged layers having a general formula selected from the list consisting of: L.sub.n−1M.sub.nX.sub.3n+1, L.sub.nM.sub.nX.sub.3n+2, and L.sub.n−1M′.sub.nX.sub.3n+3, and the positively charged layers comprising: one or more organic ammonium cations independently selected from monovalent cations Q and divalent cations Q′, or a polyvalent cationic conjugated organic polymer Z, wherein Q, Q′ and Z comprise each a π-conjugated system in which at least 8 and preferably at least 10 atoms participate, L is a monovalent cation, M.sub.n are n independently selected metal cations averaging a valence of two, M′.sub.n are n independently selected metal cations averaging a valence equal to 2+2/n, X is a monovalent anion, and n is larger than 1.

A method of repairing a solar cell bonded on a substrate, by bonding a replacement solar cell on top of an existing solar cell, without removing the existing solar cell. The substrate may comprise a flexible circuit, printed circuit board, flex blanket, or solar cell panel. The bonding of the replacement solar cell on top of the existing solar cell uses a controlled adhesive pattern. Electrical connections for the existing solar cell and the replacement solar cell are made using electrical conductors on, above or embedded within the substrate. The electrical connections may extend underneath the replacement solar cell. The method further comprises removing interconnects for the electrical connections for the existing solar cell, and then welding or soldering interconnects for the electrical connections for the replacement solar cell.

A method of passive cooling for a high concentrating photovoltaic, the high concentrating photovoltaic, includes a photovoltaic receiver, a parabolic dish reflector and a plurality of thermally conductive heat pipes having a direct thermal contact between the receiver and the reflector to transfer excessive heat. The method includes receiving sunlight by the parabolic dish reflector, reflecting the sunlight towards the photovoltaic receiver that converts the sunlight into electricity and heat, transferring the heat through the thermally conductive heat pipes and absorbing the heat by the reflector serving a dual purpose as a heat sink. A reduction in weight and cost is accomplished by incorporating the flat heat pipes.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A functional panel is provided. The functional panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a bonding layer, a functional element, a protective layer, and a terminal. The bonding layer is positioned between the first and second substrates. The functional element is surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the bonding layer. The terminal is electrically connected to the functional element and provided not to overlap with one of the first and second substrates. The protective layer is provided to be in contact with side surfaces of the first and second substrates and an exposed surface of the bonding layer. A surface of the terminal is partly exposed without being covered with the protective layer. The surface of the terminal partly includes a material having a lower ionization tendency than hydrogen.

A functional panel is provided. The functional panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a bonding layer, a functional element, a protective layer, and a terminal. The bonding layer is positioned between the first and second substrates. The functional element is surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the bonding layer. The terminal is electrically connected to the functional element and provided not to overlap with one of the first and second substrates. The protective layer is provided to be in contact with side surfaces of the first and second substrates and an exposed surface of the bonding layer. A surface of the terminal is partly exposed without being covered with the protective layer. The surface of the terminal partly includes a material having a lower ionization tendency than hydrogen.