A method of making a light converting optical system comprising providing a first optical layer, a thin sheet of reflective light scattering material, a light source, a second optical layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, a continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, positioning the thin sheet of reflective light scattering material parallel to the first optical layer, positioning the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer between and parallel to the first optical layer and the thin sheet of reflective material, and positioning the second optical layer on a light path between the light source and the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer. The first optical layer has a microstructured broad-area front surface comprising an array of linear grooves disposed side by side and extending along a straight line between two edges of the layer.

A quantum dot-polymer composite film includes: a plurality of quantum dots, wherein a quantum dot of the plurality of quantum dots includes an organic ligand on a surface of a the quantum dot; a cured product of a photopolymerizable monomer including a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond; and a residue including a residue of a high-boiling point solvent, a residue of a polyvalent metal compound, or a combination thereof.

An energy harvesting electro-optic display is disclosed comprising a photovoltaic cell that converts part of the incident light to electric current or voltage, wherein the electric current or voltage is used for the operation of the electro-optic display upon the conversion or stored in a storage component to be used for the operation of the display.

A bifacial solar module with enhanced power output including first and second transparent support layers, a plurality of electrically interconnected bifacial solar cells arranged between the transparent support layers with gaps between one or more of the interconnected solar cells and edges of the first and second transparent support layers, the bifacial solar cells having a first side directly exposed to solar radiation and a second side opposite the first. The bifacial solar module further includes one or more micro-structured reflective tapes positioned coincidentally with the gaps and attached to a surface of the second support layer such that light passing through the second support layer is reflected back into the second support layer at angles such that light reflecting from the tape is absorbed by either the first or second side of the bifacial solar cells.

A solar power generator has: a frame securable to an underwater ground surface; a shaft supported by the frame; a casing floatable on a body of water and movably mounted to the frame via the shaft, the casing rotatable relative to the frame about a first axis defined by the shaft; a photovoltaic cell array secured to the casing; and a motor operatively connected to the casing for rotating the casing about the first axis to orient the photovoltaic cell array towards a sun in function of an azimuth of the sun.

A poly-layered, poly-dimensional solar photovoltaic stack structure may be provided in a tower form. A plurality of solar panels may be stacked on top of one another to create a solar stack tower. Using the solar stack tower, reflection, refraction, diffusion, and transportation of light may transmit photons from a higher area of photon saturation to a lower area of photon saturation. The solar stack tower may provide an enclosed structure, protecting and insulating the solar panels from heat, moisture, dust, and other elements that usually damage solar panels over time.

The present disclosure provides device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel for receiving incident light. The panel is at least partially transmissive for visible light and has first and second surfaces and having a peripheral region comprising at least one edge and/or corner. The panel is arranged such that a portion of light incident on the panel is redirected within the panel towards the peripheral region of the panel. The device further comprises a flexible photovoltaic element that has first and second portions separated by a bend. The bend is located adjacent the edge or corner of the panel whereby the first and second portions of the flexible photovoltaic element are disposed with different orientations within the device.

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 around the periphery of the multijunction solar sell that lies in the path of the incoming light beam.

An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.

A visibly transparent planar structure using a CPA scheme to boost the absorption of a multi-layer thin-film configuration, requiring no surface patterning, to overcome the intrinsic absorption limitation of the absorbing material. This is achieved in a multi-layer absorbing Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity, namely a thin-film amorphous silicon solar cell. Omni-resonance is achieved across a bandwidth of 80 nm in the near-infrared (NIR), thus increasing the effective absorption of the material, without modifying the material itself, enhancing it beyond its intrinsic absorption over a considerable spectral range. The apparatus achieved an increased external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 90% of the photocurrent generated in the 80 nm NIR region from 660 to 740 nm as compared to a bare solar cell. over the spectral range of interest.