# US 12,184,224 B2 · Bifacial photovoltaic module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,184,224 B2 - Document ID: US12184224B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/095,375 - Filed: 2020-11-11 - Published: 2021-05-13 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-12 - Assignees: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd. - Applicants: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd. - Inventors: Adam Detrick; Nadeem Haque; Vishal Chandrashekar; Michael Lau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12184224B2 ## CPC - H02S 40/20: Optical components - H02S 40/32: comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules - H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes - H10F 19/902: {for series or parallel connection of photovoltaic cells} - H10F 77/00: Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass (constructional details of integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one element in which radiation controls the flow of current H10F39/00) - H10F 77/937: {Busbar structures for modules} - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION ## Abstract A bifacial photovoltaic module has components that are arranged to maximize the efficiency of a module for both front and back surfaces. An opaque portion is disposed on back surfaces of modules and aligned with horizontal support bars of a multiple-module system. Junction boxes are arranged at opposing ends of the opaque portion and couple adjacent modules in the system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bifacial solar module apparatus comprising: a first bifacial photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of singulated strips assembled in a shingled configuration; each of the singulated strips is a bifacial solar cell having a front dark face with metallic fingers and a back dark face with metallic fingers, the front dark face having a dark color; a second bifacial photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of singulated strips assembled in a shingled configuration; each of the singulated strips is a bifacial solar cell having a front dark face with metallic fingers and a back dark face with metallic fingers, the second bifacial photovoltaic element separated from the first bifacial photovoltaic element by an inter-element region; a first coloration layer having a front side and a back side, the front side of the first coloration layer having a color that substantially matches the dark color of the front dark face of the singulated strips of the first bifacial photovoltaic element, the first coloration layer covering substantially only the inter-element region; bussing positioned adjacent to the back side of the first coloration layer and overlapping the first coloration layer; and a second coloration layer overlapping the bussing and partially overlapping the first bifacial photovoltaic element, the second coloration layer positioned adjacent to the back side of the first coloration layer so that the bussing is positioned between the first coloration layer and the second coloration layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first bifacial photovoltaic element is in connected in parallel with the second bifacial photovoltaic element without an intervening diode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the second coloration layer partially overlaps the first bifacial photovoltaic element to expose a non-uniform area to backside illumination. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the second coloration layer partially overlaps the first bifacial photovoltaic element to expose a uniform area to backside illumination. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the back side of the first coloration layer is also dark. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the back side of the first coloration layer is other than dark. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first coloration layer comprises a tape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a transparent backplane, wherein the first coloration layer is in contact with the transparent backplane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an additional element positioned adjacent to the back side of the first coloration layer and overlapping the first coloration layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the additional element is selected from at least one of a ribbon tab, a junction box, and an inverter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an additional element overlapping the second coloration layer and positioned between the first coloration layer and the second coloration layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the additional element is selected from at least one of a junction box, and an inverter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a transparent backplane, wherein: the second coloration layer is in contact with the transparent backplane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A bifacial solar module apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the first coloration layer comprises a tape.