The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a solar cell module, a micro-inverter to convert DC power generated by the solar cell module into AC power, a controller to control the micro-inverter's operation, and an interface unit connected to power grid supplying external electrical power and to provide the AC power to the power grid, the controller to control operation of the micro-inverter such that the AC power is matched to the external electrical power flowing into the power grid. The photovoltaic module according to the present invention can provide electrical power generated at solar cell modules through a simple connection to power grid which supplies electrical power to home, reducing consumption of electrical power flowing into home.

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a solar cell module, a micro-inverter to convert DC power generated by the solar cell module into AC power, a controller to control the micro-inverter's operation, and an interface unit connected to power grid supplying external electrical power and to provide the AC power to the power grid, the controller to control operation of the micro-inverter such that the AC power is matched to the external electrical power flowing into the power grid. The photovoltaic module according to the present invention can provide electrical power generated at solar cell modules through a simple connection to power grid which supplies electrical power to home, reducing consumption of electrical power flowing into home.

A floating cover sheet of a liquid reservoir is configured to rest on the liquid surface and includes a plurality of elongated sheet panels each defining edges and a lower region. The sheet panels are connected to one another and each of the sheet panels has a buoyant carrier sheet disposed in the lower region thereof. The buoyant carrier sheet is made of plastic and defines a carrier surface. A plurality of panel-shaped solar modules are applied to corresponding ones of the carrier surfaces of the carrier sheets. The solar module has a width less than the width of the corresponding sheet panel so as to define, on each sheet panel, a strip of carrier material free of the solar module corresponding thereto and configured to be walked on and to be slip resistant.

An engineered substrate comprises: a seed layer made of a first semiconductor material for growth of a solar cell; a support substrate comprising a base and a surface layer epitaxially grown on a first side of the base, the base and the surface layer made of a second semiconductor material; a direct bonding interface between the seed layer and the surface layer; wherein a doping concentration of the surface layer is higher than a predetermined value such that the electrical resistivity at the direct bonding interface is below 10 mOhm.Math.cm.sup.2, preferably below 1 mOhm.Math.cm.sup.2; and wherein a doping concentration of the base as well as the thickness of the engineered substrate are such that absorption of the engineered substrate is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and total area-normalized series resistance of the engineered substrate is less than 10 mOhm.Math.cm.sup.2, preferably less than 1 mOhm.Math.cm.sup.2.

This disclosure describes embodiments of a receiver component that can support a plurality of photovoltaic devices, which collectively are useful to generate electricity from sunlight. The receiver component can comprise a substrate that integrates one or more bypass elements (e.g., a diode) and a cooling mechanism coupled to the substrate to dissipate thermal energy by dispersing a cooling fluid thereon. In this manner, embodiments of the receiver component combine in a single package the features necessary to maintain performance of the photovoltaic devices, e.g., to achieve sufficient electrical output while reducing costs and manufacturing time.

This disclosure describes embodiments of a receiver component that can support a plurality of photovoltaic devices, which collectively are useful to generate electricity from sunlight. The receiver component can comprise a substrate that integrates one or more bypass elements (e.g., a diode) and a cooling mechanism coupled to the substrate to dissipate thermal energy by dispersing a cooling fluid thereon. In this manner, embodiments of the receiver component combine in a single package the features necessary to maintain performance of the photovoltaic devices, e.g., to achieve sufficient electrical output while reducing costs and manufacturing time.

A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.

A distributed solar power generation and hot water supplying system includes: a photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system, an inverter, a controller, a storage battery, a heat-exchanging water tank and an electric heater provided therein, wherein a solar battery and a solar collector are mounted on the photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system, an electricity output terminal of the photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system is respectively connected to an inversing input terminal of an inverter and a surplus power supplying input terminal of a controller; an MCU-controlled power output terminal of the inverter is respectively connected for off-grid power consumption or grid-connected power generation, and to an inversing output terminal of the controller; a charging/discharging control output/input terminal inside the inverter is connected to an input/output terminal of the storage battery and a storage battery power supplying input terminal of the controller.

Disclosed is a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes a first substrate including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, a plurality of solar cells in the first region, and a second substrate provided in the first region to expose the second region and provided on the solar cells.

Disclosed is a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes a first substrate including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, a plurality of solar cells in the first region, and a second substrate provided in the first region to expose the second region and provided on the solar cells.