A dual-use solar energy conversion system has an innovative structural framework which accurately maintains the relative position and alignment of functional system components. The system has parabolic trough reflectors which focus solar radiation onto arrays of solar cells. The cells convert a portion of the incident radiation into electrical energy and the rest is collected in a cooling fluid and subsequently discharged as low-grade thermal energy to an energy storage medium. During operation, the entire system rotates about a vertical axis to track the azimuthal position of the sun.

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.

Bifacial crystalline solar cells and associated solar panel systems are provided. The cells include a p-type crystalline silicon layer and a barrier layer. The panels include at least two rows of cells. The cells in each row are connected to one another in series. The rows are connected in parallel. A reflector is used to reflect light towards the underside of the panel. A long axis of the reflector is arranged to be parallel to the rows of cells.

Bifacial crystalline solar cells and associated solar panel systems are provided. The cells include a p-type crystalline silicon layer and a barrier layer. The panels include at least two rows of cells. The cells in each row are connected to one another in series. The rows are connected in parallel. A reflector is used to reflect light towards the underside of the panel. A long axis of the reflector is arranged to be parallel to the rows of cells.

A stack-type III-V multijunction solar cell having an upper side and an underside, which includes a substrate layer formed on the underside and a first subcell having a first bandgap on the substrate layer or comprising the substrate layer. A second subcell has a second bandgap and is arranged above the first subcell. A tunnel diode is formed between the first subcell and the second subcell. A finger-shaped first metallic contact region is formed on the upper side. A second metallic contact region is formed over a wide area on the underside. The first contact region comprises multiple metal layers and has a first metal layer comprising silver in a vicinity of the surface and has a titanium layer designed as the uppermost metal layer above the first metal layer to reduce reflection on the upper side. The titanium layer has a thickness of more than 5 nm.

A stack-type III-V multijunction solar cell having an upper side and an underside, which includes a substrate layer formed on the underside and a first subcell having a first bandgap on the substrate layer or comprising the substrate layer. A second subcell has a second bandgap and is arranged above the first subcell. A tunnel diode is formed between the first subcell and the second subcell. A finger-shaped first metallic contact region is formed on the upper side. A second metallic contact region is formed over a wide area on the underside. The first contact region comprises multiple metal layers and has a first metal layer comprising silver in a vicinity of the surface and has a titanium layer designed as the uppermost metal layer above the first metal layer to reduce reflection on the upper side. The titanium layer has a thickness of more than 5 nm.