A hybrid photovoltaic (PV) device includes: a rigid PV segment, having one or more PV cells that convert light to electricity, wherein the rigid PV segment is non-foldable and non-bendable; a co-located flexible PV segment, wherein the flexible PV segment is foldable or bendable without being damaged; electric connectors, that connect between (i) electric current or voltage generated by the rigid PV segment, and (ii) electric current or voltage generated by the flexible PV segment; a unified encapsulation layer, encapsulating together both the rigid PV segment and the co-located flexible PV segment. The rigid PV segment, the co-located flexible PV segment, the electric connectors, and the unified encapsulation layer, form together the hybrid PV device as a single stand-alone PV device that converts light to electricity, and has at least one rigid region corresponding to the rigid PV segment and at least one flexible region corresponding to the co-located flexible PV segment.

A solar cell of an embodiment includes a p-electrode, an n-electrode, a p-type light-absorbing layer located between the p-electrode and the n-electrode and mainly containing a cuprous oxide, and a first n-type layer which is located between the p-type light-absorbing layer and the n-electrode, which mainly contains a compound represented by Ga.sub.x1M1.sub.x2M2.sub.x3M3.sub.x4M4.sub.x5O.sub.x6, the M1 being Hf and/or Zr, the M2 being one or more selected from the group consisting of In, Ti, and Zn, the M3 being Al and/or B, the M4 is one or more selected from the group consisting of Sn, Si, and Ge, the x1, the x2, and the x6 being more than 0, the x3, the x4, and the x5 being 0 or more, and the x6 when a sum of the x1, the x2, the x3, the x4, and the x5 is 2 being 3.0 or more and 3.8 or less.

A solar cell module includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate opposite the upper substrate, a solar cell panel positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, the solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells which are arranged in a matrix form and are connected to one another through a wiring member, a passivation layer configured to package the solar cell panel, a frame configured to surround an outer perimeter of the solar cell panel, a connection terminal configured to connect two adjacent strings in the solar cell panel, and a cover member configured to cover the connection terminal.

A solar power generator includes a support, a plurality of first electrodes disposed on one side of the support, a solar cell module mounted to the support, and a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the opposite side of the support. The solar cell module is electrically connected to a pair of the first electrodes via a transmission line for module connection. Three pairs of the second electrodes are electrically connected one-to-one to three pairs of the first electrodes via a transmission line for passage of current. Three of the second electrodes are electrically connected to one of the first electrode via the transmission line for passage of current.

A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, N at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

A solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells including first and second solar cells, and a plurality of wiring members electrically connecting the first and second solar cells. A first electrode of each of the first and second solar cells includes a first bus bar including a plurality of first pad portions. The plurality of first pad portions include a first end pad positioned on one end side of the first bus bar and on which an end of the wiring member is positioned, and a first extension pad positioned on the other end side of the first bus bar and on an extension of the wiring member. An area of the first end pad is different from an area of the first extension pad.

Provided are a photovoltaic module, comprising a solar cell string having a plurality of solar cells arranged in sequence, adjacent solar cells being connected by solder strips, the solder strip being connected to a front surface of one solar cell and to a back surface of the other solar cell, a long-side dimension of the solar cell being within a range of 150 mm to 220 mm; two protective adhesive layers respectively covering front and back surfaces of the solar cell string, a dimensional difference between thicknesses of one protective adhesive layer and the solder strip being defined as first thickness, a ratio of the first thickness to the thickness of one protective adhesive layer being not less than 0 and not greater than 20%; a transparent plate covering the protective adhesive layer on the front surface; and a back plate covering the protective adhesive layer on the back surface.

A tandem solar cell according to an embodiment includes a top cell string, a bottom cell string, a top cell module, a first string connection, a bottom cell module, and a second string connection. The top cell string is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of top cells. The bottom cell string is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of bottom cells. The bottom cell string is arranged so as to overlap the top cell string in a plan view in a thickness direction of the top cell. The first string connection includes a first extending portion extending to an outside of the top cell module in the plan view. A plurality of bottom cell strings are electrically connected to the bottom cell module. The first extending portion and the second extending portion are arranged apart from each other in the plan view.

An optical transformer includes a light source and an array of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to the light source, where at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells are connected in series. An optical connector such as a waveguide or an optical fiber may be disposed between an output of the light source and an input of the array of photovoltaic cells. Configured to generate a high voltage output, the optical transformer may be configured to power a device such as an actuator that provides a tunable displacement as a function of voltage.

A translucent solar module assembly for integration with a greenhouse having a frame with a plurality of roof supports includes a pair of brackets attachable to each of the plurality of roof supports, a bi-facial solar panel attachable to the pair of brackets, and a pair of reflector rails attachable to each of the plurality of roof supports. A dichroic reflector is attachable to the pair of reflector rails.