Photovoltaic devices can include photovoltaic cells can include a wafer foil having a first side and a second side, a front metal contact coupled to the first side, a back metal layer coupled to the second side, and a patterned layer coupled to the back metal layer. The patterned layer can include an electrically insulating region and an electrical conductor that contacts the back metal layer. The electrically insulating region can include a die attach film. Multiple photovoltaic cells can be combined in a shingle arrangement to form an interconnected device wherein the front metal contact of one cell contacts the electrical contact of another cell. A die attach film can be used as the electrically insulating region to create the interconnected device without adding additional insulation between the cells. Devices can include materials suitable for thermophotovoltaic applications.

Photovoltaic devices can include photovoltaic cells can include a wafer foil having a first side and a second side, a front metal contact coupled to the first side, a back metal layer coupled to the second side, and a patterned layer coupled to the back metal layer. The patterned layer can include an electrically insulating region and an electrical conductor that contacts the back metal layer. The electrically insulating region can include a die attach film. Multiple photovoltaic cells can be combined in a shingle arrangement to form an interconnected device wherein the front metal contact of one cell contacts the electrical contact of another cell. A die attach film can be used as the electrically insulating region to create the interconnected device without adding additional insulation between the cells. Devices can include materials suitable for thermophotovoltaic applications.

A solar energy utilization unit, comprising a light energy utilization device, a liquid light concentration device and a reflecting structure. The reflecting structure can reflect sunlight to the light energy utilization device located at middle part of the liquid light concentration device. In the liquid light concentration device, a transmission or total reflection phenomenon is formed by sunlight emitted from a transparent liquid to a light-transmitting sidewall or light-transmitting top wall. The reflecting structure can reflect some of sunlight, which is outside a receiving range of the liquid light concentration device, to the first light energy utilization portion and the second light energy utilization portion of the light energy utilization device, so as to improve the light concentration efficiency of the solar energy utilization unit.

A solar energy utilization unit, comprising a light energy utilization device, a liquid light concentration device and a reflecting structure. The reflecting structure can reflect sunlight to the light energy utilization device located at middle part of the liquid light concentration device. In the liquid light concentration device, a transmission or total reflection phenomenon is formed by sunlight emitted from a transparent liquid to a light-transmitting sidewall or light-transmitting top wall. The reflecting structure can reflect some of sunlight, which is outside a receiving range of the liquid light concentration device, to the first light energy utilization portion and the second light energy utilization portion of the light energy utilization device, so as to improve the light concentration efficiency of the solar energy utilization unit.

A method for controlling a cooling system for photovoltaic panels is provided. The cooling system has a water cooling assembly adapted to produce a cooling water flow wetting an upper surface of a photovoltaic panel exposed to solar light, an air cooling assembly adapted to produce an air flow directed against the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel, a set of sensors and electric power meters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive input information regarding values of a set of control parameters and to automatically control activation of the water cooling assembly and of the air cooling assembly according to predetermined modes of operation depending on values of the control parameters.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

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.

Solar cells having thermally conductive multilayered structures are disclosed. A disclosed thermally conductive structure for use with a solar panel includes an at least partially transparent coverslide including at least one of amorphous glass material, a crystalline material or a crystal material.