An optical semiconductor element includes an optical receiver including a first semiconductor layer, a heater for heating the first semiconductor layer; and a monitor. A first semiconductor layer that absorbs light and generates electric carriers; a heater for heating the first semiconductor layer; and a monitor including a second semiconductor layer in which dark current is changed by heat generated by the heater.

An optical semiconductor element includes an optical receiver including a first semiconductor layer, a heater for heating the first semiconductor layer; and a monitor. A first semiconductor layer that absorbs light and generates electric carriers; a heater for heating the first semiconductor layer; and a monitor including a second semiconductor layer in which dark current is changed by heat generated by the heater.

An mobile solar powered EV charging station consists of an inflatable solar concentrator based hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic subsystem with thermoelectric activated thermal storage to store thermal storage and regenerate electric power; a battery bank subsystem to store the cogenerated electric energy from the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic subsystem; an electric driving subsystem to make the entire system mobile; and a control subsystem to coordinate all of the subsystem to work. The mobile EV charging station is not only able to generate electric power locally to charge EVs, but also able to transport power from solar powered EV changing station network and power grid to the sites where EVs are located.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting system for generating electrical energy by using a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. The energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; an interface layer located under the solar cell and including a heat transfer layer for transferring heat generated by the solar cell; a thermoelectric device located under the interface layer, including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a thermoelectric channel located between the first and second electrodes, and configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature difference between the first and second electrodes that occurs when heat generated by the solar cell is transferred to the first electrode through the heat transfer layer; and a cooling layer located under the thermoelectric device and cooling the second electrode to increase the temperature difference.

Embodiments of the present invention may utilize one or more techniques, alone or in combination, to maximize a surface area of a receiver that is configured to convert light into another form of energy. One technique enhances collection efficiency by controlling a size, shape, and/or position of a cell relative to an expected illumination profile under various conditions. Another technique positions non-active elements (such as electrical contacts and/or interconnects) on surfaces likely to be shaded from incident light by other elements of the receiver. Another technique utilizes embodiments of interconnect structures occupying a small footprint. According to certain embodiments, the receiver may be cooled by exposure to a fluid such as water or air.

Embodiments of the present invention may utilize one or more techniques, alone or in combination, to maximize a surface area of a receiver that is configured to convert light into another form of energy. One technique enhances collection efficiency by controlling a size, shape, and/or position of a cell relative to an expected illumination profile under various conditions. Another technique positions non-active elements (such as electrical contacts and/or interconnects) on surfaces likely to be shaded from incident light by other elements of the receiver. Another technique utilizes embodiments of interconnect structures occupying a small footprint. According to certain embodiments, the receiver may be cooled by exposure to a fluid such as water or air.

A stationary radiation focusing device focuses incident radiation onto a movable radiation receiving element. The radiation focusing device is a curved mirror optimally configured to concentrate the reflected solar energy in a circle of focus aligned with the central axis of the mirror. The radiation receiving element constrained to follow a circle of focus associated with a given point(s) on the mirror's surface. A mirror support structure holds fixed the surface of the mirror in a region about the given point(s), and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the mirror at locations removed from the given point(s) flexes the other regions of the mirror in a manner to compensate for focusing error so that solar radiation incident on such other regions is more nearly focused on the radiation receiving element.

A stationary radiation focusing device focuses incident radiation onto a movable radiation receiving element. The radiation focusing device is a curved mirror optimally configured to concentrate the reflected solar energy in a circle of focus aligned with the central axis of the mirror. The radiation receiving element constrained to follow a circle of focus associated with a given point(s) on the mirror's surface. A mirror support structure holds fixed the surface of the mirror in a region about the given point(s), and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the mirror at locations removed from the given point(s) flexes the other regions of the mirror in a manner to compensate for focusing error so that solar radiation incident on such other regions is more nearly focused on the radiation receiving element.