A flexible circuit that allows a standardized connection interface to connect flexible solar cell(s) for easy integration into electronics devices. This interconnection scheme does not limit the intrinsic solar cell flexibility and may conform to standard design practices in electronic device manufacturing. In an aspect, a solar module is described that includes one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. In another aspect, an electronic device is described that includes a circuit board, one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. The electronic device may be an internet-of-things (IoT) device or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), for example. In yet another aspect, a lighting module is described that includes one or more lighting panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material.

A PV module includes a transparent substrate, a first solar cell unit, a crystalline silicon solar cell, and a spacer. The first solar cell unit is between the transparent substrate and the crystalline silicon solar cell, and the first solar cell unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a I-III-VI semiconductor layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The I-III-VI semiconductor layer includes at least gallium (Ga) and sulfur (S), and the energy gap thereof is more than that of crystalline silicon. Moreover, the crystalline silicon solar cell and the first solar cell unit are separated by the spacer.

Various embodiment include optical and optoelectronic devices and methods of making same. Under one aspect, an optical device includes an integrated circuit having an array of conductive regions, and an optically sensitive material over at least a portion of the integrated circuit and in electrical communication with at least one conductive region of the array of conductive regions. Under another aspect, a film includes a network of fused nanocrystals, the nanocrystals having a core and an outer surface, wherein the core of at least a portion of the fused nanocrystals is in direct physical contact and electrical communication with the core of at least one adjacent fused nanocrystal, and wherein the film has substantially no defect states in the regions where the cores of the nanocrystals are fused. Additional devices and methods are described.

A heterojunction battery and a preparation method therefor are provided. The heterojunction battery includes a crystalline silicon layer, a first intrinsic amorphous silicon layer, an N-type doped microcrystalline silicon layer, a first transparent conductive layer, and a first metal electrode are sequentially arranged on a front surface of the crystalline silicon layer from inside to outside, and a second intrinsic amorphous silicon layer, a P-type doped microcrystalline silicon layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a second metal electrode are sequentially arranged on a back surface of the crystalline silicon layer from inside to outside. A local reduction layer is formed on a surface of the first transparent conductive layer that is under the first metal electrode and/or on a surface of the second transparent conductive layer that is under the second metal electrode.

Solar cells of varying composition are disclosed, generally including a central substrate, conductive layer(s), antireflection layers(s), passivation layer(s) and/or electrode(s). Multifunctional layers provide combined functions of passivation, transparency, sufficient conductivity for vertical carrier flow, the junction, and/or varying degrees of anti-reflectivity. Improved manufacturing methods including single-side CVD deposition processes and thermal treatment for layer formation and/or conversion are also disclosed.

A transparent conductive article includes a transparent substrate, a thin electrically conductive grid, and a carbon nanolayer. The grid is disposed on the substrate, and the carbon nanolayer is also disposed on the substrate and in contact with the grid. The conductive grid and the carbon nanolayer may have thicknesses of no more than 1 micron and 50 nanometers, respectively. The carbon nanolayer has a morphology that includes graphite platelets embedded in nano-crystalline carbon, and can be produced with a buffing procedure using dry carbon particles without substantially damaging the grid structure. The article may have a visible light transmission of at least 80%, and a sheet resistance less than 500 or 100 ohms/square. The transparent substrate may comprise a flexible polymer film. The disclosed articles may substantially maintain an initial sheet resistance value when subjected to flexing.

Solar cell structures that have improved carrier collection efficiencies at a heterointerface are provided by low temperature epitaxial growth of silicon on a III-V base. Additionally, a solar cell structure having improved open circuit voltage includes a shallow junction III-V emitter formed by epitaxy or diffusion followed by the epitaxy of Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x passivated by amorphous Si.sub.yGe.sub.1-y:H.

Disclosed are methods and systems for forming a layer on a web with reduced levels of particulates. The layer is formed from a fluid mixture(s) or solution of chemical reagents that react to form the layer. The system includes a conveyor device provided configured to carry the web within the chamber while the first surface of the web undergoes one or more processing steps; a first fluid delivery apparatus and a second fluid delivery apparatus, and a first fluid removal apparatus. The first fluid removal apparatus is positioned within a space arranged between the first and the second delivery apparatuses.

A method of increasing a work function of an electrode is provided. The method comprises obtaining an electronegative species from a precursor using electromagnetic radiation and reacting a surface of the electrode with the electronegative species. An electrode comprising a functionalized substrate is also provided.

A solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes a support substrate including a plurality of patterns; a back electrode layer on the support substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; and a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, wherein the patterns are formed in an undercut structure including a first inner side surface, a second inner side surface and a bottom surface.