Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects as well as Fabrication methods and structures for forming thin film back contact solar cells are described.

Fabrication methods and structures relating to backplanes for back contact solar cells that provide for solar cell substrate reinforcement and electrical interconnects as well as Fabrication methods and structures for forming thin film back contact solar cells are described.

An optical device includes an active layer that includes at least two outer barriers and at least one coupled quantum well that is inserted between the at least two outer barriers. Each coupled quantum well includes at least three quantum well layers and at least two coupling barriers that are respectively provided between the at least three quantum well layers. Thicknesses of two quantum well layers disposed at opposite end portions of the at least three quantum well layers are less than a thickness of the other quantum well layer disposed between the two quantum well layers disposed at the opposite end portions. A bandgap of the two quantum well layers disposed at the opposite end portions may be higher than a bandgap of the other quantum well layer disposed between the two quantum well layers.

An optical device includes an active layer that includes at least two outer barriers and at least one coupled quantum well that is inserted between the at least two outer barriers. Each coupled quantum well includes at least three quantum well layers and at least two coupling barriers that are respectively provided between the at least three quantum well layers. Thicknesses of two quantum well layers disposed at opposite end portions of the at least three quantum well layers are less than a thickness of the other quantum well layer disposed between the two quantum well layers disposed at the opposite end portions. A bandgap of the two quantum well layers disposed at the opposite end portions may be higher than a bandgap of the other quantum well layer disposed between the two quantum well layers.

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.

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 method of the invention which manufactures a substrate with a transparent conductive film, includes: preparing a base body that has a top surface and a back surface and has an a-Si film coating at least one of the top surface and the back surface; and setting temperatures of the base body and the a-Si film to be in the range of 70 to 220° C. in a film formation space having a processing gas containing hydrogen, applying a sputtering voltage to a target, carrying out DC sputtering, and thereby forming the a-Si film on a transparent conductive film.

A method of the invention which manufactures a substrate with a transparent conductive film, includes: preparing a base body that has a top surface and a back surface and has an a-Si film coating at least one of the top surface and the back surface; and setting temperatures of the base body and the a-Si film to be in the range of 70 to 220° C. in a film formation space having a processing gas containing hydrogen, applying a sputtering voltage to a target, carrying out DC sputtering, and thereby forming the a-Si film on a transparent conductive film.

A photovoltaic structure includes a substrate; and a plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions outward of the substrate. The plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions have an off-axis lattice orientation at a predetermined non-zero angle. A plurality of photovoltaic devices of a first chemistry are located outward of the plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions. Optionally, a plurality of photovoltaic devices of a second chemistry, different than the first chemistry, are located outward of the substrate and are spaced away from the plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions.

A photovoltaic structure includes a substrate; and a plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions outward of the substrate. The plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions have an off-axis lattice orientation at a predetermined non-zero angle. A plurality of photovoltaic devices of a first chemistry are located outward of the plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions. Optionally, a plurality of photovoltaic devices of a second chemistry, different than the first chemistry, are located outward of the substrate and are spaced away from the plurality of off-axis, doped silicon regions.