A solar cell system and a flexible solar panel are disclosed herein. The solar cell system includes a glass housing, a set of rows of solar cells each defining a front side and a rear side and arranged within the glass housing. The solar cell system can also include a reflective element disposed in the glass housing and facing the rear side of the set of rows of solar cells and a first terminal coupled to a first end of the set of rows of solar cells, traversing through and sealed against the first end of the glass housing. The solar cell system can be configured with other solar cell systems into the flexible solar panel that is deployable in a wide range of potential applications.

A method for producing a mosaic solar cell assembly, comprising the steps of singulating a III-V compound semiconductor solar cell wafer into four identical discrete solar cell mosaic elements each substantially shaped as a quadrant of a circle, comprising a first and second solar cell mosaic element having one curved edge in the shape of an arc of the circumference of the circular wafer from which the element was singulated, and a single straight edge, rearranging and positioning two of the mosaic elements into a substantially rectangular mosaic assembly; providing a metal interconnect between each of the mosaic elements along one edge of the assembly so that the mosaic elements may be electrically connected to an adjacent mosaic assembly; and optionally bonding the cover glass support to the top of the mosaic assembly.

A glass brick having a luminescent solar concentrator inserted inside it, between the preformed glass portions which constitute the body of the glass brick is provided.

A semiconductor device includes: a conductive layer; a plurality of nanopillars spaced apart from each other overlying the conductive layer, each nanopillar comprising a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer being different in conductivity type from the second semiconductor layer; and a graphene layer overlying the plurality of nanopillars, the graphene layer being connected to each of the plurality of nanopillars.

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 flexible circuit that allows a standardized connection interface to connect flexible solar cell(s) for easy integration into electronics devices. This interconnection scheme does not limit the intrinsic solar cell flexibility and may conform to standard design practices in electronic device manufacturing. In an aspect, a solar module is described that includes one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. In another aspect, an electronic device is described that includes a circuit board, one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. The electronic device may be an internet-of-things (IoT) device or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), for example. In yet another aspect, a lighting module is described that includes one or more lighting panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material.

Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

The present disclosure is directed to a method of processing a solar cell device. The method comprises detecting at least one inconsistency at a surface of a semiconductor substrate having a solar cell active region formed therein. A deposition pattern is determined based on the location of the at least one inconsistency. A material is selectively deposited on the substrate according to the deposition pattern.

Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

A photovoltaic (PV) panel mounting system for a vehicle includes: a PV panel movably mounted on a vehicle panel; a first electrode electrically connected to the PV panel; a second electrode attached to the vehicle panel and electrically connected to the first electrode; and a damping mechanism elastically supporting the PV panel with respect to the vehicle panel. The damping mechanism allows the PV panel to move between a first position and a second position. The first position refers to a position in which an outer surface of the PV panel is flush with an outer surface of the vehicle panel and the second position refers to a position in which the outer surface of the PV panel is recessed from the outer surface of the vehicle panel.