Photovoltaic Laminate Segments And Segmented Photovoltaic Modules
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorCarl LENOX
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Abstract
One embodiment of the invention relates to a segmented photovoltaic (PV) module which is manufactured from laminate segments. The segmented PV module includes rectangular-shaped laminate segments formed from rectangular-shaped PV laminates and further includes non-rectangular-shaped laminate segments formed from rectangular-shaped and approximately-triangular-shaped PV laminates. The laminate segments are mechanically joined and electrically interconnected to form the segmented module. Another embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing a large-area segmented photovoltaic module from laminate segments of various shapes. Other embodiments relate to processes for providing a photovoltaic array for installation at a site. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
Claims21
A segmented photovoltaic module which is manufactured from laminate segments, the segmented photovoltaic module comprising:
- rectangular-shaped laminate segments formed from rectangular-shaped photovoltaic laminates;
- non-rectangular-shaped laminate segments formed from rectangular-shaped and approximately-triangular-shaped photovoltaic laminates;
- mechanical joints between the laminate segments;
- and
- electrical interconnections between the laminate segments.
A method of manufacturing a large-area segmented photovoltaic module from laminate segments of various shapes, the method being performed at a manufacturing facility and comprising:
- mechanically joining a plurality of the laminate segments of various shapes to fill a predetermined envelope for the segmented photovoltaic module;
- electrically interconnecting the plurality of laminate segments;
- forming a protective cover for the electrical interconnections;
- and
- integrating a junction box with the module for connecting to the segmented photovoltaic module.
A process for providing a photovoltaic array for installation at a site, the process comprising:
- receiving survey data of the site at which the photovoltaic array is to be installed;
- determining a customized envelope which defines a selected area of the site;
- determining a corresponding set of laminate segments which are designed to be arranged to cover the selected area and includes non-rectangular-shaped laminate segments.
A process for providing a photovoltaic array for installation at a site, the process comprising:
- receiving survey data of the site at which the photovoltaic array is to be installed;
- determining a customized envelope which defines a selected area of the site;
- and
- determining a custom set of pre-fabricated segmented modules which are designed to be arranged to cover the selected area and includes non-rectangular-shaped segmented modules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.