A photovoltaic module comprises at least one photovoltaic cell and one concentration optic device, to be illuminated by a light flux emitting at at least one illumination wavelength belonging to a band of wavelengths defined by a minimum wavelength and a maximum wavelength, the band of wavelengths being that of the solar radiation of the order of [380 nm-1600 nm]. The concentration optic device is a monolithic component and comprises at least one diffractive structure comprising subwavelength patterns, defined in a structured material; the patterns having at least one dimension less than or equal to the average illumination wavelength divided by the refractive index of the structured material; the patterns being separated from one another by subwavelength distances, defined between centres of adjacent patterns; the concentration optic device ensuring at least one focusing function and one diffraction function. A solar panel comprising the photovoltaic module is also provided.

A modular photovoltaic system adapted for collecting light rays from a solar light source to generate electrical current, the system having a light-tracking solar collector adapted to collect the light rays, an edge-lit photovoltaic array, and a transport conduit adapted to transport the light rays to the edge-lit photovoltaic array. The edge-lit photovoltaic array has a plurality of edge-lit photovoltaic panels, each having a transparent diffusing pane positioned between two backing panels with inwardly directed photovoltaic surfaces. Each edge-lit photovoltaic panel perpendicularly contacts a lateral light distributor attached to the transport conduit, causing the transparent diffusing pane to illuminate the photovoltaic surfaces to generate electrical current. The light-tracking solar collector is adapted to rotate to remain oriented toward the solar light source.

A method of forming a solar cell device that includes forming a porous layer in a monocrystalline donor substrate and forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer on the porous layer. A solar cell structure is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A carrier substrate is bonded to the solar cell structure through a bonding layer. The monocrystalline donor substrate is removed by cleaving the porous layer. A grid of metal contacts is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer. The exposed portions of the epitaxial semiconductor layer are removed. The exposed surface of the solar cell structure is textured. The textured surface may be passivated, in which the passivated surface can provide an anti-reflective coating.

A solar cell includes a photoelectric converter having a p-type surface and an n-type surface on a principal surface, a p-side conductor, a p-side Sn layer, an n-side conductor, an n-side Sn layer, a p-side seed layer between the p-type surface and p-side conductor, an n-side seed layer between the n-type surface and n-side conductor, a p-side metal layer covering the p-side seed layer and including metal different from metal of the p-side seed layer, and an n-side metal layer covering the n-side seed layer and including metal different from metal of the n-side seed layer. The diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to the p-side metal layer is less than the diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to a p-side Sn layer. The diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to the n-side metal layer is less than the diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to an n-side Sn layer.

A solar cell includes a photoelectric converter having a p-type surface and an n-type surface on a principal surface, a p-side conductor, a p-side Sn layer, an n-side conductor, an n-side Sn layer, a p-side seed layer between the p-type surface and p-side conductor, an n-side seed layer between the n-type surface and n-side conductor, a p-side metal layer covering the p-side seed layer and including metal different from metal of the p-side seed layer, and an n-side metal layer covering the n-side seed layer and including metal different from metal of the n-side seed layer. The diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to the p-side metal layer is less than the diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to a p-side Sn layer. The diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to the n-side metal layer is less than the diffusion coefficient of copper with respect to an n-side Sn layer.

A modular photovoltaic system adapted for collecting light rays from a solar light source to generate electrical current, the system having a light-tracking solar collector adapted to collect the light rays, an edge-lit photovoltaic array, and a transport conduit adapted to transport the light rays to the edge-lit photovoltaic array. The edge-lit photovoltaic array has a plurality of edge-lit photovoltaic panels, each having a transparent diffusing pane positioned between two backing panels with inwardly directed photovoltaic surfaces. Each edge-lit photovoltaic panel perpendicularly contacts a lateral light distributor attached to the transport conduit, causing the transparent diffusing pane to illuminate the photovoltaic surfaces to generate electrical current. The light-tracking solar collector is adapted to rotate to remain oriented toward the solar light source.

An energy harvesting imaging sensor includes an array of pixel structures each formed from a semiconductor having a photodiode overlying a photovoltaic diode. The photodiode and photovoltaic diode are implemented as a vertically stacked P+/N.sub.WELL/P.sub.SUB junction. This structure enables simultaneous imaging and energy harvesting by generating charge in the photodiode that is indicative of light impinging on the photodiode and simultaneously generating charge from the light in the photovoltaic diode located underneath the photodiode.

Methods and devices that monolithically integrate thin film elements/devices, e.g., environmental sensors, batteries and biosensors, with high performance integrated circuits, i.e., integrated circuits formed in a high quality device layer. Preferred embodiments further monolithically integrate a solar cell array. Preferred embodiments provide pin-size and integrated solar powered wearable electronic, ionic, molecular, radiation, etc. sensors and circuits.

Methods and devices that monolithically integrate thin film elements/devices, e.g., environmental sensors, batteries and biosensors, with high performance integrated circuits, i.e., integrated circuits formed in a high quality device layer. Preferred embodiments further monolithically integrate a solar cell array. Preferred embodiments provide pin-size and integrated solar powered wearable electronic, ionic, molecular, radiation, etc. sensors and circuits.

The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a multijunction solar cell panel in which one or more of the steps are performed using an automated process. In some embodiments, the automated process uses machine vision.