An impact-resistant, photovoltaic (IRPV) window system is provided. The system may include an IRPV window coupled to a structure, a controller, and an insurance computing device. The IRPV window may include an impact resistant (IR) layer, a photovoltaic (PV) material that may generate an electrical output, and an electrode coupled to the PV material that may receive the electrical output. The IRPV window may permit a portion of visible light to pass through the IRPV window. The controller may monitor the electrical output and generate a solar profile of the structure based upon the electrical output. The insurance computing device may receive the solar profile and determine if an insurance policy associated with the structure is eligible for a policy adjustment and/or an insurance reward or discount offer.

Disclosed herein is an automotive solar cell roof panel which may be manufactured by adjusting the width and number of cells according to a transparent part and an opaque part in one solar cell module, thus improving output and simplifying a structure. The first and second solar cells include a plurality of transparent-part cells and a plurality of opaque-part cells whose widths and numbers are adjusted according to a current density and a voltage ratio. As such, it is unnecessary to array different kinds of solar cells with different voltage or current ranges, thus maximizing output in one solar cell module, and an additional wiring structure for individually controlling output power, an additional converter, and additional control for voltage matching may not be required, thus simplifying a process.

A solar cell panel includes a solar cell; a sealing member for sealing the solar cell; a first cover member positioned at a first surface of the solar cell on a first side of the sealing member; and a second cover member positioned at a second surface of the solar cell on a second side of the sealing member. The first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a lower light transmittance than the base member and partially formed on the base member to form a colored region. The second cover member includes a cover portion having a lower brightness than the colored portion and positioned at least an inactive region where the solar cell is not positioned.

A solar cell panel includes a solar cell; a sealing member for sealing the solar cell; a first cover member positioned at a first surface of the solar cell on a first side of the sealing member; and a second cover member positioned at a second surface of the solar cell on a second side of the sealing member. The first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a lower light transmittance than the base member and partially formed on the base member to form a colored region. The second cover member includes a cover portion having a lower brightness than the colored portion and positioned at least an inactive region where the solar cell is not positioned.

Example embodiments relate to partially translucent photovoltaic modules and methods for manufacturing partially translucent photovoltaic modules. One embodiment includes a method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The method includes positioning a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates side by side. The thin-film photovoltaic plates are partially translucent or non-translucent. The method also includes providing at least one connection element on a surface of each of the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The at least one connection element includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires arranged in a grid structure. Further, the method includes physically separating each connection element into a first connection part that includes a plurality of first electrically interconnected, conductive wires and a second connection part that includes a plurality of second electrically interconnected, conductive wires. In addition, the method includes providing busbars and forming electrical busbar connections.

Example embodiments relate to partially translucent photovoltaic modules and methods for manufacturing partially translucent photovoltaic modules. One embodiment includes a method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The method includes positioning a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates side by side. The thin-film photovoltaic plates are partially translucent or non-translucent. The method also includes providing at least one connection element on a surface of each of the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The at least one connection element includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires arranged in a grid structure. Further, the method includes physically separating each connection element into a first connection part that includes a plurality of first electrically interconnected, conductive wires and a second connection part that includes a plurality of second electrically interconnected, conductive wires. In addition, the method includes providing busbars and forming electrical busbar connections.

A solar cell includes elements, a connecting portion, and a transparent portion. The elements include first and second elements arrayed in a first direction. The transparent portion is located between the connecting portion and the second element. Each of the elements includes first and second electrode layers and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first and second electrode layers. Between the first element and the second element, their first electrode layers sandwich a first gap and their second electrode layers sandwich a second gap shifted in the first direction from the first gap. The connecting portion electrically connects the second electrode layer of the first element to the first electrode layer of the second element. The transparent portion is located between the second electrode layer of the first element and the first electrode layer of the second element at a position shifted in the first direction from the connecting portion.

A solar cell includes elements, a connecting portion, and a transparent portion. The elements include first and second elements arrayed in a first direction. The transparent portion is located between the connecting portion and the second element. Each of the elements includes first and second electrode layers and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first and second electrode layers. Between the first element and the second element, their first electrode layers sandwich a first gap and their second electrode layers sandwich a second gap shifted in the first direction from the first gap. The connecting portion electrically connects the second electrode layer of the first element to the first electrode layer of the second element. The transparent portion is located between the second electrode layer of the first element and the first electrode layer of the second element at a position shifted in the first direction from the connecting portion.

Disclosed is a solar panel being divided into a plurality of cells and including: a light transmissive power generation region which is a central region in a diameter direction of a ring-shaped member and in which extending thin line power generators are arranged in parallel in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction; and a periphery power generation region which is a periphery region of the light transmissive power generation region and in which a part of the cells is arranged along a circumferential direction. The cells include a composite cell including at least a part of the periphery power generation region and at least a part of the light transmissive power generation region. A first cell and a second cell different from the first cell are respectively arranged on one end side and on the other end side in the diameter direction of the ring-shaped member.

Disclosed is a solar panel being divided into a plurality of cells and including: a light transmissive power generation region which is a central region in a diameter direction of a ring-shaped member and in which extending thin line power generators are arranged in parallel in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction; and a periphery power generation region which is a periphery region of the light transmissive power generation region and in which a part of the cells is arranged along a circumferential direction. The cells include a composite cell including at least a part of the periphery power generation region and at least a part of the light transmissive power generation region. A first cell and a second cell different from the first cell are respectively arranged on one end side and on the other end side in the diameter direction of the ring-shaped member.