Systems and methods for texturing substrates (e.g., glass, metal, and the like) and the textured substrates produced using such systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary system for texturing a substrate includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller has a first textured surface. The first textured surface has a root mean square roughness between 40 to 1000 microns and an autocorrelation function greater than 0.5 for distances less than 50 microns.

A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.

A glass substrate for an organic EL element, which can improve the light-extraction efficiency of the organic EL element, can be produced with a high productivity. The glass substrate serves as a light-extraction side transparent substrate of an organic EL element. The refractive index d of the glass substrate is 1.60 or more, and Na.sub.2O+K.sub.2O are contained at 10 mol % to 20 mol % as glass components. A light-extraction side surface has a relief structure obtained by die molding.

A glass substrate for an organic EL element, which can improve the light-extraction efficiency of the organic EL element, can be produced with a high productivity. The glass substrate serves as a light-extraction side transparent substrate of an organic EL element. The refractive index d of the glass substrate is 1.60 or more, and Na.sub.2O+K.sub.2O are contained at 10 mol % to 20 mol % as glass components. A light-extraction side surface has a relief structure obtained by die molding.

A glass substrate molding method includes: preparing a rotatable or wheelable molding die having a die surface and contacting the die surface with one of a pair of principal surfaces of a glass substrate made of a glass material containing an alkali metal oxide, the die having conductivity; keeping the one of principal surfaces contacted with the die surface at a temperature over 100 C. and equal to or lower than Tg+50 C.; applying direct-current voltage to the substrate to be higher voltage on the contacted one of principal surfaces than voltage on an opposite surface of the contacted one of principal surfaces; and rotating or wheeling the die and simultaneously moving the die or the substrate in a direction parallel to the contacted one of principal surfaces in conformity with rotation or wheeling speed of the die, to mold the contacted one of principal surfaces of the substrate.

A glass substrate molding method includes: preparing a rotatable or wheelable molding die having a die surface and contacting the die surface with one of a pair of principal surfaces of a glass substrate made of a glass material containing an alkali metal oxide, the die having conductivity; keeping the one of principal surfaces contacted with the die surface at a temperature over 100 C. and equal to or lower than Tg+50 C.; applying direct-current voltage to the substrate to be higher voltage on the contacted one of principal surfaces than voltage on an opposite surface of the contacted one of principal surfaces; and rotating or wheeling the die and simultaneously moving the die or the substrate in a direction parallel to the contacted one of principal surfaces in conformity with rotation or wheeling speed of the die, to mold the contacted one of principal surfaces of the substrate.

Improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems according to certain example embodiments may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights or other windows having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells. Arrangements that involve lateral displacement tracking systems, or static systems (e.g., that are fixed at one, two, or more predefined positions) are contemplated herein. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity, providing for SHGC tuning.

Improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems according to certain example embodiments may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights or other windows having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells. Arrangements that involve lateral displacement tracking systems, or static systems (e.g., that are fixed at one, two, or more predefined positions) are contemplated herein. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity, providing for SHGC tuning.

Provided herein is a method for producing glass-ceramic sheets. The method includes texturing at least one surface of a first glass sheet, and stacking the first glass sheet and a second glass sheet. The first glass sheet and the second glass sheet are stacked so that the textured surface of the first glass sheet contacts a surface of the second glass sheet. The first and second glass sheets are cerammed. After cooling, the cerammed first and second glass sheets are separated. Also provided is a pre-form for producing glass-ceramic sheets. The pre-form includes a first glass sheet having a textured surface, and a second glass sheet contacting the first glass sheet. The textured surface of the first glass sheet is in contact with a surface of the second glass sheet.

Provided herein is a method for producing glass-ceramic sheets. The method includes texturing at least one surface of a first glass sheet, and stacking the first glass sheet and a second glass sheet. The first glass sheet and the second glass sheet are stacked so that the textured surface of the first glass sheet contacts a surface of the second glass sheet. The first and second glass sheets are cerammed. After cooling, the cerammed first and second glass sheets are separated. Also provided is a pre-form for producing glass-ceramic sheets. The pre-form includes a first glass sheet having a textured surface, and a second glass sheet contacting the first glass sheet. The textured surface of the first glass sheet is in contact with a surface of the second glass sheet.