A spectrum-splitting concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module utilizes direct fluid cooling of photovoltaic cells in which an array of photovoltaic cells is fully immersed in a flowing heat transfer fluid. Specifically, at least a portion of both the front face and the rear face of each photovoltaic cell comes into direct contact with heat transfer fluid, thereby enhancing coupling of waste heat out of the photovoltaic cells and into the heat transfer fluid. The CPV module is designed to maximize transmission of infrared light not absorbed by the photovoltaic cells, and therefore may be combined with a thermal receiver that captures the transmitted infrared light as part of a hybrid concentrator photovoltaic-thermal system.

Solar panel and photovoltaic devices having an integrated mechanical protection and mitigation layer and having a cooling mechanism. A photovoltaic device includes, from top to bottom: a top-side encapsulant and top-sheet; beneath them, mechanical resilience and mitigation layer, such as a reservoir storing gel or silicone oil or viscous liquid; beneath it, photovoltaic regions that convert incoming light into electricity; beneath them, a cooling mechanism which runs or traverses within the photovoltaic device, such as water circulating in a set of tubes; beneath it, a bottom-side encapsulant and backsheet. Other types of layers and other orders and arrangements of layers are also disclosed.

A device for converting electromagnetic radiation (e.g., nonuniform laser light) into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentratedhas a large radiation fluxmay be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.

The present disclosure concerns a photovoltaic sandwich panel (1) comprising a photovoltaic element layer (2) provided between a protective front layer (3), and a fiber reinforced back layer (4), wherein: the protective front layer is formed from a compound comprising a first thermoplastic polymer (PI); and the fiber reinforced back layer comprises a second thermoplastic polymer (P2) with a fibrous filler material (F). The disclosure further concerns a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic sandwich panel and an assembly of said panels.

In an embodiment, an optical power converter includes a container with a light input port and an electrical output terminal. A fluid can be inside the container. A converter device contacts the fluid inside the container. The converter device includes a photovoltaic element that converts light into electrical power. The light travels through the fluid before reaching the converter device. In some examples, the converter device may be a multijunction photovoltaic semiconductor device. The fluid may be an insulating oil or a cryogenic liquid in some examples. In general, the fluid promotes heat transfer away from the converter device and may permit the optical power converter to function at a higher input power and/or with greater efficiency. The fluid may make direct contact with the photovoltaic element in some examples.

A photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic module and a heat dissipation module. The heat dissipation module is configured to be connected to an external object. The photovoltaic module includes a light-incident side configured to receive sunlight and a back side opposite to the light-incident side. The photovoltaic module is configured to convert the sunlight to electrical energy. The heat dissipation module is arranged on the back side of the photovoltaic module and configured to dissipate heat generated by the photovoltaic module.

An apparatus of manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells by reducing contact resistance and forming point contacts is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carrying device configured to support a solar cell, a conducting module electrically connected to the solar cell optionally, a pulsed power supply used to provide a high frequency pulsed voltage that is a reverse bias voltage and has a frequency of about 1 kHz to 10 MHz and a duty cycle of about 5% to 95%, and a light source. As the pulsed power supply applies the high frequency pulsed voltage to the solar cell via the conducting module, the light source illuminates the solar cell at a power density of 10 W/m.sup.2 above and scans the solar cell. Thereby discontinuous conductive regions are formed in the solar cell.