Solar cell interconnect with multiple current paths
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsDouglas H. Rose, Shandor G. Daroczi, Neil Kaminar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solar cell interconnects with multiple current paths. A solar cell interconnect may include a plurality of in-plane slits arranged in several rows. The in-plane slits may be spaced to provide strain relief without unduly increasing the electrical path resistance through the solar cell interconnect. The in-plane slits may be staggered, for example.
Claims20
A continuous solar cell interconnect for electrically connecting two adjacent back side contact solar cells, the solar cell interconnect comprising:
- a first portion having first and second tabs, the first tab being configured to electrically connect to a conductive pad of a first back side contact solar cell, the second tab being configured to electrically connect to a conductive pad of a second back side contact solar cell that is adjacent to the first back side contact solar cell, the first portion having an in-plane slit located in a first row, an in-plane slit located in a second row, and an in-plane slit located in a third row, the third row being between the first and second rows, the in-plane slit in the third row being staggered with the in-plane slits in the first and second rows to form an electrical current path that goes from the first tab, around an edge of the in-plane slit in the third row, and to the second tab;
- and
- a second portion having third and fourth tabs, the third tab being configured to electrically connect to a conductive pad of the first back side contact solar cell, the fourth tab being configured to electrically connect to a conductive pad of the second back side contact solar cell.
A method of interconnecting solar cells in a solar cell array, the method comprising:
- providing a first back side contact solar cell and a second back side contact solar cells, each of the first and second back side contact solar cells having positive and negative pads on their back sides;
- electrically connecting a first positive pad of the first back side contact solar cell to a first negative pad of the second back side contact solar cell using a solar cell interconnect having at least two rows of in-plane slits providing strain relief.
A continuous solar cell interconnect for electrically connecting two adjacent back side contact solar cells, the solar cell interconnect comprising:
- a first portion electrically connecting a first positive pad on a back side of a first solar cell to a first negative pad on a back side of a second solar cell, the first portion having an in-plane slit in a first row, an in-plane slit in a second row, and an in-plane slit in a third row between the first and second rows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.