This disclosure provides photovoltaic cells and substrates with three dimensional optical architectures and methods of manufacturing the same. In particular, the disclosure relates to a continuously formed photovoltaic substrate, and to systems, devices, methods and uses for such a product, including the collection of solar energy.

This disclosure provides photovoltaic cells and substrates with three dimensional optical architectures and methods of manufacturing the same. In particular, the disclosure relates to a continuously formed photovoltaic substrate, and to systems, devices, methods and uses for such a product, including the collection of solar energy.

A solar cell stack includes a first semiconductor solar cell having a p-n junction made of a first material with a first lattice constant, a second semiconductor solar cell having a p-n junction made of a second material with a second lattice constant, and the first lattice constant being at least 0.008 Å smaller than the second lattice constant, and a metamorphic buffer. The metamorphic buffer is formed between the first semiconductor solar cell and the second semiconductor solar cell. The metamorphic buffer includes a series of at least five layers. The lattice constant increases in the series in the direction of the semiconductor solar cell. The lattice constants of the layers of the metamorphic buffer are larger than the first lattice constant. Two layers of the buffer having a doping and the difference in the dopant concentration between the two layers being greater than 4E.sup.17 cm.sup.−3.

A solar cell stack includes a first semiconductor solar cell having a p-n junction made of a first material with a first lattice constant, a second semiconductor solar cell having a p-n junction made of a second material with a second lattice constant, and the first lattice constant being at least 0.008 Å smaller than the second lattice constant, and a metamorphic buffer. The metamorphic buffer is formed between the first semiconductor solar cell and the second semiconductor solar cell. The metamorphic buffer includes a series of at least five layers. The lattice constant increases in the series in the direction of the semiconductor solar cell. The lattice constants of the layers of the metamorphic buffer are larger than the first lattice constant. Two layers of the buffer having a doping and the difference in the dopant concentration between the two layers being greater than 4E.sup.17 cm.sup.−3.

The present disclosure provides a window unit for a building or structure. The window unit is arranged for generating electricity and comprises a panel having an area that is transparent for at least a portion of visible light and having a light receiving surface for receiving light from a light incident direction. The window unit further comprises at least one series of solar cells, each solar cell being a bifacial solar cell and having opposite first and second surfaces each having an area in which light can be absorbed to generate electricity, the solar cells being positioned such that in use the first surfaces are oriented to receive light from the light incident direction and the second surfaces receive light from an opposite direction.

A solar cell module includes a plurality of compound semiconductor solar cells each including a compound semiconductor substrate, a first electrode part on a front surface of the compound semiconductor substrate, an insulating substrate positioned at a back surface of the compound semiconductor substrate, a second electrode part positioned between the back surface of the compound semiconductor substrate and a front surface of the insulating substrate, and an insulating adhesive attaching the insulating substrate to the second electrode part; a conductive connection member electrically connecting two adjacent compound semiconductor solar cells to each other; a conductive adhesive attaching the conductive connection member to a corresponding electrode part of the compound semiconductor solar cell; a front substrate positioned on the compound semiconductor solar cells; and a back substrate positioned below the compound semiconductor solar cells.

A multiple layer composition and method for deposition of a solar energy harvesting strip onto a driving surface that will allow electric cars to charge by an inductive coupling is provided. The multiple layer composition includes at least one magnetic material for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the magnetic material. Further, the a multiple layer composition includes at least one solar energy harvesting material for converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar energy harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic material. One of the layers may also include a thermal energy harvesting material for converting thermal energy into electrical energy.

An apparatus and method for producing a perpetual energy harvester which harvests ambient near ultraviolet to infrared radiation and provides continual power regardless of the environment. The device seeks to harvest the largely overlooked blackbody radiation through use of a semiconductor thermal harvester, providing a continuous source of power. Additionally, increased power output is provided through a solar harvester. The solar and thermal harvesters are physically connected but electrically isolated.

A low-reflection-loss low-angle-sensitive colored photovoltaic (PV) module is described. This colored PV module includes a transparent substrate; an array of solar cells encapsulated between a top encapsulation sheet and a bottom encapsulation sheet; and a color filter structure embedded between the top encapsulation sheet and the transparent substrate and configured to cause wavelength-selective reflections of incident light received by the colored PV module. Moreover, the transparent substrate includes a flat front surface configured to receive the incident light and a texture back surface configured with an array of features. The color filter structure is formed on the textured back surface of the transparent substrate to create a textured interface between the textured back surface and the color filter structure.

A low-reflection-loss low-angle-sensitive colored photovoltaic (PV) module is described. This colored PV module includes a transparent substrate; an array of solar cells encapsulated between a top encapsulation sheet and a bottom encapsulation sheet; and a color filter structure embedded between the top encapsulation sheet and the transparent substrate and configured to cause wavelength-selective reflections of incident light received by the colored PV module. Moreover, the transparent substrate includes a flat front surface configured to receive the incident light and a texture back surface configured with an array of features. The color filter structure is formed on the textured back surface of the transparent substrate to create a textured interface between the textured back surface and the color filter structure.