A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.

A laser light collecting assembly for a wireless power receiver. The assembly includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) mirror and an optical to electrical converter. The CPC mirror has curved internal walls that define an inlet aperture and connect the inlet aperture to an outlet aperture. The inlet aperture may be larger than the outlet aperture. The internal walls may focus a majority of the laser light entering the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. The optical to electrical converter may be positioned adjacent to the outlet aperture and configured to receive the laser light exiting the outlet aperture so as to convert optical power in the laser light to electrical power.

A laser light collecting assembly for a wireless power receiver. The assembly includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) mirror and an optical to electrical converter. The CPC mirror has curved internal walls that define an inlet aperture and connect the inlet aperture to an outlet aperture. The inlet aperture may be larger than the outlet aperture. The internal walls may focus a majority of the laser light entering the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. The optical to electrical converter may be positioned adjacent to the outlet aperture and configured to receive the laser light exiting the outlet aperture so as to convert optical power in the laser light to electrical power.

Solar cells efficiency is improved, in a first approach, wherein the anode's top contact is relocated to the middle of a three-layer solar cell wafer, permitting maximum sunlight photons to excite free electrons in the anode and p-n junction, without causing obstruction or reflection of sunlight therein. In another embodiment, a rechargeable battery of at least 0.1v is used, to create forward biasing of electrons in a solar cell, having an impurity level that is less than 99.999999%. The anode and cathode of a silicon base solar cell is doped with more than one element, other than phosphorous and boron, to increase its performance and decrease its manufacturing cost.

Techniques for enhancing the absorption of photons in semiconductors with the use of microstructures are described. The microstructures, such as pillars and/or holes, effectively increase the effective absorption length resulting in a greater absorption of the photons. Using microstructures for absorption enhancement for silicon photodiodes and silicon avalanche photodiodes can result in bandwidths in excess of 10 Gb/s at photons with wavelengths of 850 nm, and with quantum efficiencies of approximately 90% or more.

Techniques for enhancing the absorption of photons in semiconductors with the use of microstructures are described. The microstructures, such as pillars and/or holes, effectively increase the effective absorption length resulting in a greater absorption of the photons. Using microstructures for absorption enhancement for silicon photodiodes and silicon avalanche photodiodes can result in bandwidths in excess of 10 Gb/s at photons with wavelengths of 850 nm, and with quantum efficiencies of approximately 90% or more.

In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate doped with impurities of a first conductive type, a front surface field region disposed at a front surface of the substrate and doped with impurities of the first conductive type at a concentration higher than those of the substrate, a tunnel layer disposed on a back surface of the substrate and formed of a dielectric material, an emitter region disposed at a first portion of a back surface of the tunnel layer and doped with impurities of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, and a back surface field region disposed at a second portion of the back surface of the tunnel layer and doped with impurities of the first conductive type at a concentration higher than those of the substrate.

A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate doped with impurities of a first conductive type, a front surface field region disposed at a front surface of the substrate and doped with impurities of the first conductive type at a concentration higher than those of the substrate, a tunnel layer disposed on a back surface of the substrate and formed of a dielectric material, an emitter region disposed at a first portion of a back surface of the tunnel layer and doped with impurities of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, and a back surface field region disposed at a second portion of the back surface of the tunnel layer and doped with impurities of the first conductive type at a concentration higher than those of the substrate.