A method of forming a photovoltaic product with a plurality of photovoltaic cells is disclosed. The method comprises depositing a stack with first and second electrode layers (12, 16) and a photovoltaic layer (14) arranged in between. The method comprises partitioning the stack. The partitioning includes forming a trench (20) extending through the second electrode layer and the photovoltaic layer to expose the first electrode layer. The stack is first irradiated with a laser beam with a first spotsize and with a first wavelength for which the photovoltaic layer has a relatively high absorption coefficient as compared to that of the second electrode layer. The stack is then irradiated with a second laser beam with a second spotsize, greater than the first spotsize, and with a second wavelength for which the photovoltaic layer has a relatively low absorption coefficient as compared to that of the second electrode layer.

Provided is a method of fabricating a see-through thin film solar cell, the method including preparing a substrate including a molybdenum (Mo) layer on one surface, forming see-through patterns by selectively removing at least parts of the Mo layer, sequentially depositing a chalcogenide absorber layer, a buffer layer, and a transparent electrode layer on the substrate and the Mo layer including the see-through patterns, and forming a see-through array according to a shape of the see-through patterns by removing the chalcogenide absorber layer, the buffer layer, and the transparent electrode layer deposited on the see-through patterns, by irradiating a laser beam from under the substrate toward the transparent electrode layer.

The present disclosure provides device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel for receiving incident light. The panel is at least partially transmissive for visible light and has first and second surfaces and having a peripheral region comprising at least one edge and/or corner. The panel is arranged such that a portion of light incident on the panel is redirected within the panel towards the peripheral region of the panel. The device further comprises a flexible photovoltaic element that has first and second portions separated by a bend. The bend is located adjacent the edge or corner of the panel whereby the first and second portions of the flexible photovoltaic element are disposed with different orientations within the device.

Disclosed are a hybrid structure using a graphene-carbon nanotube and a perovskite solar cell using the same. The hybrid structure includes a graphene-carbon nanotube formed by laminating a second graphene coated with a polymer on an upper surface of a first graphene coated with a carbon nanotube. The perovskite solar cell includes: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate and including a fluorine doped thin oxide (FTO); an electron transfer layer formed on the first electrode and including a compact-titanium oxide (c-TiO.sub.2); a mesoporous-titanium oxide (m-TiO.sub.2) formed on the electron transfer layer; a perovskite layer formed on the m-TiO.sub.2 and including a perovskite compound; and a graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid structure formed on the perovskite layer.

A sol composition for producing dielectric layers on a metallic substrate including 10 to 30%, by weight of the sol composition, of a precursor including a trialkoxysilane, 10 to 40%, by weight of the sol composition, of titanium dioxide particles whose median size is below 500 nm, 4.5 to 36%, by weight of the sol composition, of silica particles whose particle size distribution D90 is below 100 nm, 5 to 15%, by weight of the sol composition, of a solvent capable of making the precursor miscible in water, 0.1 to 2%, by weight of the sol composition, of an acidic catalyst, the remainder being water.

The invention provides an optoelectronic device comprising a photoactive region, which photoactive region comprises: an n-type region comprising at least one n-type layer; a p-type region comprising at least one p-type layer; and, disposed between the n-type region and the p-type region: a layer of a perovskite semiconductor without open porosity. The perovskite semiconductor is generally light-absorbing. In some embodiments, disposed between the n-type region and the p-type region is: (i) a first layer which comprises a scaffold material, which is typically porous, and a perovskite semiconductor, which is typically disposed in pores of the scaffold material; and (ii) a capping layer disposed on said first layer, which capping layer is said layer of a perovskite semiconductor without open porosity, wherein the perovskite semiconductor in the capping layer is in contact with the perovskite semiconductor in the first layer. The layer of the perovskite semiconductor without open porosity (which may be said capping layer) typically forms a planar heterojunction with the n-type region or the p-type region. The invention also provides processes for producing such optoelectronic devices which typically involve solution deposition or vapour deposition of the perovskite. In one embodiment, the process is a low temperature process; for instance, the entire process may be performed at a temperature or temperatures not exceeding 150° C.

The photoelectric conversion layer of an embodiment is based on Cu.sub.2O, contains at least one p-type dopant selected from the group consisting of Ge, Ta, and In, and has a band gap of equal to or more than 2.10 eV and equal to or less than 2.30 eV.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to flexible photovoltaic modules that include a multi-layered substrate. In some embodiments, the multi-layered substrate includes one or more layers that are configured to improve the elastic modulus, rigidity, or stiffness of a flexible substrate of a flexible photovoltaic module during a deposition process step at an elevated temperature that is used to form the flexible photovoltaic module. The one or more layers of the multi-layered substrate may also provide improved barrier properties that prevent environmental contaminants from affecting the performance of a formed photovoltaic module, which includes the multi-layered substrate, during normal operation.

The present invention provides methods to sputter deposit films comprising alkali metal compounds. At least one target comprising one or more alkali metal compounds and at least one metallic component is sputtered to form one or more corresponding sputtered films. The at least one target has an atomic ratio of the alkali metal compound to the at least one metallic component in the range from 15:85 to 85:15. The sputtered film(s) incorporating such alkali metal compounds are incorporated into a precursor structure also comprising one or more chalcogenide precursor films. The precursor structure is heated in the presence of at least one chalcogen to form a chalcogenide semiconductor. The resultant chalcogenide semiconductor comprises up to 2 atomic percent of alkali metal content, wherein at least a major portion of the alkali metal content of the resultant chalcogenide semiconductor is derived from the sputtered film(s) incorporating the alkali metal compound(s). The chalcogenide semiconductors are useful in microelectronic devices, including solar cells.

A reactive heat treatment apparatus is provided to treat a thin-film device. The reactive heat treatment apparatus includes a furnace pipe. The furnace pipe extends in a direction and has a first end and a second end. The furnace pipe further includes a high-temperature portion, a low-temperature portion, and a furnace door. The high-temperature portion is disposed close to the second end and configured to receive the thin-film device. The low-temperature portion is disposed close to the first end and provided with an airtight configuration. The furnace door is disposed close to the first end. An inner side wall of the low-temperature portion has a sunken portion. A height differential is formed between the sunken portion and an inner side wall of the high-temperature portion.