A solar module (20) comprising first and second sheet bodies (21, 22), a plurality of rows (a plurality of groups) of spherical solar cells (11) built in between the sheet bodies (21, 22) such that the conducting direction is orthogonal to the plane of the sheet bodies, a mechanism for connecting the spherical solar cells (11) in each group in parallel, a mechanism for connecting the spherical solar cells (11) in each group and the spherical solar cells (11) in an adjacent group in series, and a positive pole terminal (23) and a negative pole terminal (24). Positive poles are formed below and negative poles above in solar cells (11) in odd rows from the left end, and positive poles are formed above and negative poles below in spherical solar cells (11) in even rows.

Light emitting or light receiving semiconductor module and method for manufacturing the same

A small-diameter spheric solar battery cell SS (spheric semiconductor device ) provided with a spheric core material (1), a reflecting film (2) formed on the surface of the material (1), a semiconductor thin film layer (a p-type polycrystalline silicon thin film (4a) and n- diffusion layer (7)) formed in a spheric state on the surface of the film (2), an n+-p junction (8) formed in the semiconductor thin film layer, a passivation film (9), a surface protective film (10) made of a titanium oxide, and a pair of electrodes (11a and 11b) connected to both poles of the junction (8) and a method for manufacturing the cell SS. In addition to the cell SS, a spheric crystal manufacturing device, two kinds of spheric solar battery cells, two kinds of spheric photocatalyst elements, a spheric light emitting element which emits blue visible light, and two kinds of spheric semiconductor device materials are also disclosed.

Spheric semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, and spheric semiconductor device material

An integrated photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell generates hydrogen and oxygen from water while being illuminated with radiation. The PEC cell employs a liquid electrolyte, a multi-junction photovoltaic electrode, and a thin ion-exchange membrane. A PEC system and a method of making such PEC cell and PEC system are also disclosed.

Integrated photoelectrochemical cell and system having a liquid electrolyte

A partition member (34) which divides a glass container (31) into a reducing reaction chamber (32) and an oxidizing reaction chamber (33) and is made of a hydrogen ion conducting type polymer electrolyte is provided and solar battery modules (35) having photocell arrays (having an electromotive force of 2.0-2.4 V) composed of four serially connected spherical solar battery elements (having electromotive forces of 0.5-0.6 V), anodes (46), and cathodes (48) are mounted to the partition member (34) in the form of a matrix of, for example, five rows by three columns so that the anodes (46) and cathodes (48) can be respectively brought into contact with electrolytic solutions in the chambers (33 and 48). By irradiating the modules (35) with the sunlight, water is electrolyzed to generate a hydrogen gas from the cathodes (48) and an oxygen gas from the anodes (46) with the photovoltaic power of the modules (35).

Solar battery module for optical electrolysis device and optical electrolysis device

A package 1 for an optical semiconductor having a light-emitting device 21 and a light-receiving device 31 in one package, in which a groove DW is provided between the light-emitting device and the light-receiving device to thereby avoid rays of light from the light-emitting device directly entering the light-receiving device.

Package for optical semiconductor

A photo cell and a photo cell array which have high photoelectric conversion efficiency, little leakage current, long life, and high reliability, as well as a electrolytic device that employs the cell and array. The photo cell (1) comprises: a base material (2) consisting of p-type semiconductor; a light receiving section (3) being an integral spherical part of the base material (2) which protrudes outward from the surface of the base (2), and has an n-type semiconductor layer formed on the surface of said spherical part, so that a pn junction interface is formed between the base material (2) and the semiconductor layer; a front surface electrode (4) formed from conductive material in ohmic contact with a portion of the surface of the aforementioned sphere; and a lower or back electrode (5) formed from conductive material on the bottom of the aforementioned base material (2), to provide ohmic contact. The spherical shape of the photo cell (1) enables most of the surface of the sphere to be sensitive to light, with wider directivity than flat photo cells, and enables uniform sensitivity regardless of direction.

Photo cells, photo cell arrays, and electrolytic devices using these cells and arrays

A light receiving element which is made of a single crystal, has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, is less in leakage current, and has a long service life and a high reliability. The light receiving element is provided with a substrate (2) of a p-type semiconductor, a light receiving section (3) which is integrally protruded from the surface of the substrate (2) whose front end is spherical, and which is provided with an n-type semiconductor layer on the surface of the spherical part and a spherical p-n junction between the semiconductor layer and the substrate (2), a surface electrode (4) of a conductive material which is in ohmic-contact with part of the surface of the spherical part, and a rear electrode (5) which is formed on the rear surface of the substrate out of a conductive material, and which is in ohmic-contact with the rear surface. Since most of the spherical surface is sensitive to light and the light receiving section is spherical, the directivity of this light receiving element is wider than that of a flat light receiving element. In addition, the sensitivity of the element is uniform irrespective of the direction.

Josuke Nakata

Papers

Photo cells, photo cell arrays, and electrolytic devices using these cells and arrays

Light receiving element, light receiving element array, and electrolyzer using them