The invention relates to a photovoltaic element including an optically functional surface layer for improving a conversion of the incident light. The functioning of the layer involves absorbing incident sunlight having a low wavelength and emitting it again as light radiation having a higher wavelength, so that this light spectrum becomes usable for solar cells. In order to solve the currently unsolved problem of embedding such a layer into a thin-film solar cell with a substrate arranged on the front side, while ensuring high weathering resistance, it is proposed to arrange the optical functional layer in an additional encapsulation element on the front side and thus to construct the photovoltaic element as a double- or multiple composite assembly.

A bifacial solar module is described. The bifacial module has a laminate with a sun-facing glass layer and a backside glass layer, and two backrails attached to the backside glass layer for structural support. The bifacial module has an array of solar cells within a laminate, and the laminate has exterior edges that are not in contact with a frame structure or clamps. Two bifacial modules may be combined in a space-saving solar panel packaging arrangement. Also described is a solar panel assembly, which includes a mounting system configured to attach the bifacial module to a torque tube of a tracking system.

Described herein are photovoltaic devices and methods which utilize femtosecond (fs) lasers to create a glass/glass weld, hermetically encapsulating photovoltaic devices that provide both reduced cost and increased cell life and efficiency. For example, glass/glass welds can reduce manufacturing time and costs, increase cell life by removing encapsulant failure which is a leading cause of cell degradation and provide for increased optical properties, which improves cell efficiency.

A glass unit includes an energy collecting layer attached to a light directing device for collecting a light energy from the light directing device, and an energy converting layer electrically coupled to the energy collecting layer for converting the light energy into an electric energy, and the light directing device includes a number of nanometer particles to direct the light energy toward the energy collecting layer. The light directing device includes one or more glass layers, and a light collecting panel attached to the glass layer with a bonding layer and made of polymer materials which are mixed with the nanometer particles to form the light collecting panel.

Disclosed are a solar cell module and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell module includes a support substrate, solar cells at an upper portion of the support substrate, bus bars electrically connected to the solar cells, a junction box connected to the bus bars, and an upper substrate at an upper portion of the solar cells. The junction box is formed therein with pad electrodes connected to the bus bars.

Solder can be used to wet and bind glass substrates together to ensure a hermetic seal that superior (less penetrable) than conventional polymeric (thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer) seals in electric and electronic applications.

An apparatus for collecting solar energy, including a first panel, wherein the first panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1,500 nm to pass through said panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through said panel. A photovoltaic cell is disposed between the first panel and second panel, which includes a first electrode disposed adjacent to the first panel, a second electrode disposed adjacent to the second panel, a photovoltaic component contacting the first and second electrodes. The photovoltaic component absorbs at least 50% of light having a wavelength in one of the following ranges: greater than 650 nm, less than 410 nm and combinations thereof.

An interconnector includes a first electrode configured to be connected to a first photovoltaic battery cell, a second electrode configured to be connected to a second photovoltaic battery cell, and a connection body that connects the first electrode and the second electrode. The connection body includes a first detour portion, a second detour portion, and a first connection portion. The first detour is electrically connected to the first electrode and extended toward a first side in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction. The second detour is electrically connected to the second electrode and extended toward the first side in the second direction. The first connection portion extends toward the first detour portion and the second detour portion in the first direction and connects the first detour portion and the second detour portion.

A photovoltaic cell module includes: a transparent upper cover plate, a first polyolefin encapsulation layer, a cell group layer, a second polyolefin encapsulation layer, and a backplane that are sequentially disposed in a laminated manner, where outer edges of the transparent upper cover plate and the backplane exceed outer edges of the first polyolefin encapsulation layer, the cell group layer, and the second polyolefin encapsulation layer, an end part sealing block is further disposed between the transparent upper cover plate and the backplane, and the end part sealing block is located at peripheries of the first polyolefin encapsulation layer, the cell group layer, and the second polyolefin encapsulation layer.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a double-sided heterojunction solar cell module. The solar cell includes a frontside glass cover, a backside glass cover situated below the frontside glass cover, and a number of solar cells situated between the frontside glass cover and the backside glass cover. Each solar cell includes a semiconductor multilayer structure situated below the frontside glass cover, including: a frontside electrode grid, a first layer of heavily doped amorphous Si (a-Si) situated below the frontside electrode, a layer of lightly doped crystalline-Si (c-Si) situated below the first layer of heavily doped a-Si, and a layer of heavily doped c-Si situated below the lightly doped c-Si layer. The solar cell also includes a second layer of heavily doped a-Si situated below the multilayer structure; and a backside electrode situated below the second layer of heavily doped a-Si.