An improved method of at least one of providing increased solar cell/solar panel/solar module (a solar member) electrical production abilities and of providing some increased solar member cooling abilities by at least one of applying/providing a coating, as disclosed herein, directly to and/or within the back-sheet of, a solar member, which coating can one of modify, reflect, and scatter light-waves in a manner advantageous for solar members to produce more electricity than otherwise, and which coating can optionally be applied to the front of a separate surface which is within six meters of a solar member.

An improved method of at least one of providing increased solar cell/solar panel/solar module (a solar member) electrical production abilities and of providing some increased solar member cooling abilities by at least one of applying/providing a coating, as disclosed herein, directly to and/or within the back-sheet of, a solar member, which coating can one of modify, reflect, and scatter light-waves in a manner advantageous for solar members to produce more electricity than otherwise, and which coating can optionally be applied to the front of a separate surface which is within six meters of a solar member.

Described are optical devices, such as photovoltaic modules that include features such as solar tracking, solar concentration, tandem cell arrangements, and thermal management to achieve high photovoltaic efficiency. The photovoltaic modules can be constructed using a variety of different materials and configurations or as a monoblock functionally graded structure to limit manufacturing, operational, and maintenance complexities while achieving high performance. The use of thermal management structures directly integrated into a photovoltaic cell can maintain such cells at desirable temperatures, which can be beneficial in optical concentrating configurations.

Described are optical devices, such as photovoltaic modules that include features such as solar tracking, solar concentration, tandem cell arrangements, and thermal management to achieve high photovoltaic efficiency. The photovoltaic modules can be constructed using a variety of different materials and configurations or as a monoblock functionally graded structure to limit manufacturing, operational, and maintenance complexities while achieving high performance. The use of thermal management structures directly integrated into a photovoltaic cell can maintain such cells at desirable temperatures, which can be beneficial in optical concentrating configurations.

The HCPV system includes a plurality of modules connected to an array, a casing, a plurality of inverted pyramids, a plurality of solar cells, and a backplate. Each module includes an optical component that concentrates light onto a single solar cell and a single inverted pyramid with solid lateral faces connects the optical component at a peripheral edge of a base of the pyramid to the single solar cell at an apex of the inverted pyramid. The casing has a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame surrounds each optical component on the peripheral edge of the pyramid, and the bottom frame surrounds each solar cell on the apex of the pyramid. The top frame and bottom frame are separated by a plurality of supports. The backplate is a plurality of interconnected circular pads.

The HCPV system includes a plurality of modules connected to an array, a casing, a plurality of inverted pyramids, a plurality of solar cells, and a backplate. Each module includes an optical component that concentrates light onto a single solar cell and a single inverted pyramid with solid lateral faces connects the optical component at a peripheral edge of a base of the pyramid to the single solar cell at an apex of the inverted pyramid. The casing has a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame surrounds each optical component on the peripheral edge of the pyramid, and the bottom frame surrounds each solar cell on the apex of the pyramid. The top frame and bottom frame are separated by a plurality of supports. The backplate is a plurality of interconnected circular pads.

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.

Systems and methods for automatically or remotely rendering a solar array safe during an emergency or maintenance. A watchdog unit is disclosed for monitoring a signal from a central controller. If the signal is lost, interrupted, or becomes irregular, or if a shutdown signal is received, then the watchdog unit can shut down one or more solar modules. Shutting down a solar module can mean disconnecting it from a power bus of the solar array or lowering the solar module voltage to a safe level.

Systems and methods for automatically or remotely rendering a solar array safe during an emergency or maintenance. A watchdog unit is disclosed for monitoring a signal from a central controller. If the signal is lost, interrupted, or becomes irregular, or if a shutdown signal is received, then the watchdog unit can shut down one or more solar modules. Shutting down a solar module can mean disconnecting it from a power bus of the solar array or lowering the solar module voltage to a safe level.