A solar cell module comprises cell groups each containing solar cells, and each solar cell includes photoelectric converters, N number of which being connected in series, and first, second and third terminals. When the first terminal on one end of a first cell group has a reference potential, the second terminal on the other end of the mth cell group is connected to the first terminal on one end of another cell group, and N number of the third terminals of the mth cell group are respectively connected to N number of the first terminals of an m+1th cell group. The difference in potential between the second terminal on the other end of the mth cell group and the first terminal on one end of the other cell group is 10% or less of the difference in potential between the second and first terminals of the mth cell group.

A photovoltaic (“PV”) module may comprise an array of freeform micro-optics and an array of PV cells. The PV module may be a flat panel with a nominal thickness smaller than the length and width of the flat panel. An array of lenses may be embedded in an array substrate. The lenses may be coupled to light pipes. The lenses may concentrate light through the light pipes to multi-junction cells. Diffuse light may be transferred through the array substrate to a silicon cell. The lenses and light pipes may be manufactured using a molding and drawing process.

A photovoltaic (“PV”) module may comprise an array of freeform micro-optics and an array of PV cells. The PV module may be a flat panel with a nominal thickness smaller than the length and width of the flat panel. An array of lenses may be embedded in an array substrate. The lenses may be coupled to light pipes. The lenses may concentrate light through the light pipes to multi-junction cells. Diffuse light may be transferred through the array substrate to a silicon cell. The lenses and light pipes may be manufactured using a molding and drawing process.

A photovoltaic cell assembly positions lenses within a cell chamber lined with photovoltaic cells in an effort to foster multiple strikes of photons from a same beam of light onto different cells, thereby multiplying incidences of the photovoltaic effect and increasing the efficiency of power generation by the assembly.

A photovoltaic cell assembly positions lenses within a cell chamber lined with photovoltaic cells in an effort to foster multiple strikes of photons from a same beam of light onto different cells, thereby multiplying incidences of the photovoltaic effect and increasing the efficiency of power generation by the assembly.

A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

A photovoltaic cell may include a substrate configured as a single light absorption region. The cell may include at least one first semiconductor region and at least one second semiconductor region arranged on or in the substrate. The cell may include a plurality of first conductive contacts arranged on the substrate and physically separated from one another and a plurality of second conductive contacts arranged on the substrate and physically separated from one another. Each first conductive contact may be configured to facilitate electrical connection with the at least one first semiconductor region. Each second semiconductor conductive contact may be configured to facilitate electrical connection with the at least one second semiconductor region. Each of the first conductive contacts may form at least one separate cell partition with at least one of the second conductive contacts, thereby forming a plurality of cell partitions on or in the substrate.

A photovoltaic cell may include a substrate configured as a single light absorption region. The cell may include at least one first semiconductor region and at least one second semiconductor region arranged on or in the substrate. The cell may include a plurality of first conductive contacts arranged on the substrate and physically separated from one another and a plurality of second conductive contacts arranged on the substrate and physically separated from one another. Each first conductive contact may be configured to facilitate electrical connection with the at least one first semiconductor region. Each second semiconductor conductive contact may be configured to facilitate electrical connection with the at least one second semiconductor region. Each of the first conductive contacts may form at least one separate cell partition with at least one of the second conductive contacts, thereby forming a plurality of cell partitions on or in the substrate.

A solar cell module can include a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell among the plurality of solar cells including a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel on a rear surface of a semiconductor substrate; a substrate including a conductive pattern electrically connecting the plurality of solar cells with each other; and a protective film disposed on the plurality of solar cells on a front surface of the substrate, in which the conductive pattern includes: a plurality of conductive portions, each of the plurality of conductive portions being arranged between two adjacent solar cells among the plurality of solar cells, an electrode portion formed on a rear surface of the substrate, and a connection portion connected to the electrode portion and surrounding a side surface of the substrate.