The present disclosure relates generally to electromagnetic coupling modules employed along the outer periphery of floating solar collector pods that can be introduced onto the surface of a body of water that operate to automatically connect to one another so that proximate pods form a reversible self-assembled physically and electrically coupled array that operate to harvest incident solar radiation and also operate to reduce the degree of evaporative water loss from that body of water. Electromagnetic coupling modules are disclosed featuring normally open electrical connection elements that permit electronic coupling under magnetic attraction for improved electrical safety. Electromagnetic coupling modules are disclosed that are gimbaled to provide for increase flexibility and interconnectivity under angular displacement, such as when a floating solar pod array is subject to strong current, wind and wave forces.

A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap and positioned for receiving an incoming light beam; a second solar subcell disposed below and adjacent to and lattice matched with said upper first solar subcell, and having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; wherein the upper first solar subcell covers less than the entire upper surface of the second solar subcell, leaving an exposed portion of the second solar subcell that lies in the path of the incoming light beam.

A solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells embedded in a layer of encapsulant. A textured and/or colored layer is positioned on a back side of the layer of encapsulant. The textured and/or colored layer matches a color and/or texture of the plurality of photovoltaic cells. A top layer is positioned on a front side of the layer of encapsulant.

An optical element is provided which comprises a plurality of fluorophores disposed in a medium. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50% and an absorption spectrum with a maximum intensity at wavelengths less than 400 nm, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 1200 nm. The optical element is at least partially transparent over the visible region of the spectrum. The optical element is especially useful as a window or other optical component of a greenhouse structure.

A PV device comprises a first mirror comprising a reflectance of higher than 50%; a second mirror interface; and an optical cavity positioned between the first mirror and the second mirror interface and comprising at least one IC stage. Each of the at least one IC stage comprises a conduction band; a valence band; a hole barrier comprising a first band gap; an absorption region coupled to the hole barrier, comprising a second band gap that is less than the first band gap, and configured to absorb photons; and an electron barrier coupled to the absorption region so that the absorption region is positioned between the hole barrier and the electron barrier. The electron barrier comprises a third band gap that is greater than the second band gap. The PV device is configured to operate at a forward bias voltage with a net photon absorption for generating an electric output.

Provided are a photovoltaic module, comprising a solar cell string having a plurality of solar cells arranged in sequence, adjacent solar cells being connected by solder strips, the solder strip being connected to a front surface of one solar cell and to a back surface of the other solar cell, a long-side dimension of the solar cell being within a range of 150 mm to 220 mm; two protective adhesive layers respectively covering front and back surfaces of the solar cell string, a dimensional difference between thicknesses of one protective adhesive layer and the solder strip being defined as first thickness, a ratio of the first thickness to the thickness of one protective adhesive layer being not less than 0 and not greater than 20%; a transparent plate covering the protective adhesive layer on the front surface; and a back plate covering the protective adhesive layer on the back surface.

A photovoltaic assembly includes a cell unit layer, a backplate and a reflective layer. The backplate is provided on a back side of the cell unit layer, and one side of the backplate away from the cell unit layer is provided with at least one junction box. The reflective layer is disposed between the cell unit layer and the backplate. The reflective layer includes a plurality of reflective longitudinal strips. Each of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips covers edges of cell chips within at least one cell string. At least one of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips is broken at a location adjacent to a cell chip covered by the junction box so as to form at least one opening.

A photovoltaic assembly includes a cell unit layer, a backplate and a reflective layer. The backplate is provided on a back side of the cell unit layer, and one side of the backplate away from the cell unit layer is provided with at least one junction box. The reflective layer is disposed between the cell unit layer and the backplate. The reflective layer includes a plurality of reflective longitudinal strips. Each of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips covers edges of cell chips within at least one cell string. At least one of the plurality of reflective longitudinal strips is broken at a location adjacent to a cell chip covered by the junction box so as to form at least one opening.

An integrated device comprising at least one photovoltaic element, at least one light modulating element, at least one light reflecting element and one or more electrical conductors coupled to the photovoltaic element and the light modulating element. An interrogating light beam can be pointed at the integrated device, and a modulated light beam is reflected back by the device in the direction of the interrogating light beam with the reflected light beam containing information/data being modulated by the device onto the reflected light beam.

To provide a coating material capable of forming a solar cell module excellent in the weather resistance, the power generation efficiency and the design, a cover glass, a solar cell module comprising the cover glass, and an outer wall material for building. The cover glass of the present invention is a cover glass comprising a glass plate and a layer containing a fluorinated polymer having units based on a fluoroolefin, on at least one surface of the glass plate, which has an average visible reflectance of from 10 to 100%, and an average near infrared transmittance of from 20 to 100%.