An integrated device comprising at least one photovoltaic element, at least one light modulating element, at least one light reflecting element and one or more electrical conductors coupled to the photovoltaic element and the light modulating element. An interrogating light beam can be pointed at the integrated device, and a modulated light beam is reflected back by the device in the direction of the interrogating light beam with the reflected light beam containing information/data being modulated by the device onto the reflected light beam.

To provide a coating material capable of forming a solar cell module excellent in the weather resistance, the power generation efficiency and the design, a cover glass, a solar cell module comprising the cover glass, and an outer wall material for building. The cover glass of the present invention is a cover glass comprising a glass plate and a layer containing a fluorinated polymer having units based on a fluoroolefin, on at least one surface of the glass plate, which has an average visible reflectance of from 10 to 100%, and an average near infrared transmittance of from 20 to 100%.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaics and solar energy harvesting devices and, particularly, to those that are transparent or semi-transparent, allowing sufficient visible light through them to allow visualization of objects through them, and more particularly, to those that supplement their primary near ultraviolet light absorption with secondary and/or tertiary absorptions of narrow bands of visible light while maintaining their transparency. Various embodiments of the invention relate to single solar materials with both primary ultraviolet absorption and secondary, narrow-band visible absorption, while some embodiments of the invention utilize mixtures of one or more materials to realize a primary ultraviolet absorption of light with secondary, or even tertiary, narrow bands of visible light absorption. Means of manufacturing such photovoltaics and solar energy harvesting devices will also be disclosed as well as the applications and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to a method of making a light converting optical system. The method involves providing a first optical layer having a microstructured front surface comprising an array of linear grooves that reflect first light rays using total internal reflection and deflect second light rays using refraction. A thin sheet of reflective light scattering material is positioned parallel to the first optical layer. A second optical layer is provided with a microstructured front surface. A continuous photoabsorptive film layer comprising a light converting semiconductor material is positioned between the first optical layer and the reflective material, with a thickness less than the minimum thickness required for absorbing all light traversing through the film layer. The method further involves providing a light source and positioning the second optical layer on the light path between the light source and the photoabsorptive film layer.

The present invention relates to three dimensional photovoltaic structures and a power generation apparatus comprising same. The photovoltaic structure comprises a light transmitting solid optical core having a longitudinal axis, a top end, a bottom end and one or more side walls, wherein the top end has an exposed outer surface to receive light. A photovoltaic layer surrounds at least a portion of one or more of the side walls of the optical core and an optical cladding layer surrounds the photovoltaic layer.

A photonic structure can include in one aspect one or more waveguides formed by patterning of waveguiding material adapted to propagate light energy. Such waveguiding material may include one or more of silicon (single-, poly-, or non-crystalline) and silicon nitride.

An apparatus, method and system for cleaning a solar panel includes a solar panel, one or more fluid reservoirs, a fluid dispenser at a first side of a solar panel, a mechanism for providing pressurized fluid to the fluid dispenser from the fluid reservoir(s), and a mechanism for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser. The solar panel is periodically cleaned and the motivation for cleaning may be a detected output condition of the panel, a detected weather condition, an expired time condition, detected precipitant accumulation, a manual command, or the like. The fluid(s) may include a gas and/or one or more liquids. A heater may be provided to heat the fluid(s).

A solar electrical generator comprising an outer wall (1, 2) arranged to partially surround a cavity. A hub (3) is provided within the cavity wherein the outer face (4) of the wall is provided with solar cells (5). At least one of the hub (3) and the inner face (6) of the wall are provided with solar cells (5).

A bipolar solar cell includes a backside junction formed by an N-type silicon substrate and a P-type polysilicon emitter formed on the backside of the solar cell. An antireflection layer may be formed on a textured front surface of the silicon substrate. A negative polarity metal contact on the front side of the solar cell makes an electrical connection to the substrate, while a positive polarity metal contact on the backside of the solar cell makes an electrical connection to the polysilicon emitter. An external electrical circuit may be connected to the negative and positive metal contacts to be powered by the solar cell. The positive polarity metal contact may form an infrared reflecting layer with an underlying dielectric layer for increased solar radiation collection.

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.