# US 2013/0153005 A1 · Reinforcement element for thin film photovoltaic devices and their methods of manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153005 A1 - Document ID: US20130153005A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/326,973 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: Primestar Solar, Inc. - Inventors: David W. Vernooy; Jeffrey Todd Knapp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153005A1 ## CPC - H10F 19/80: Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells - H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes - H10F 77/939: {Output lead wires or elements} - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - 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) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Photovoltaic devices are provided that can include a transparent substrate defining a front surface; a plurality of thin film layers on an inner surface of the transparent substrate that is opposite of the front surface; a first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells defined by the plurality of thin film layers; an encapsulation substrate defining a connection aperture through which the first lead extends upon lamination of the encapsulation substrate and the transparent substrate together; and, a reinforcement element positioned on the front surface of the transparent substrate opposite from the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate. Methods and kits are also provided for strengthening a photovoltaic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A photovoltaic device, comprising: a transparent substrate defining a front surface; a plurality of thin film layers on an inner surface of the transparent substrate that is opposite of the front surface, wherein the plurality of thin film layers define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected to each other in a circuit; a first lead connected to one part of the circuit; an encapsulation substrate defining a connection aperture through which the first lead extends upon lamination of the encapsulation substrate and the transparent substrate together; and, a reinforcement element positioned on the front surface of the transparent substrate and located opposite from the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element covers the support area on the front surface of the transparent substrate that is about 3% to about 25% larger than the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element covers a support area on the front surface of the transparent substrate that is about 5% to about 15% larger than the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is configured to allow at least about 75% of light energy to pass through the reinforcement element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is configured to allow at least about 90% of light energy to pass through the reinforcement element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises material that is at least about 50% transparent to visible light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element defines a plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The photovoltaic device as in claim 7, wherein the reinforcing element comprises glass. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The photovoltaic device as in claim 7, wherein the plate defines a center point on the front surface of the transparent substrate that is centered with respect to the connection aperture in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a plurality of intersecting reinforcement spokes, the intersecting reinforcement spokes being arranged to define exposed areas on the front surface of the transparent substrate therebetween to allow light energy pass therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The photovoltaic device as in claim 10, wherein each of the intersecting reinforcement spokes extend radially from a common intersection on the front surface of the transparent substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The photovoltaic device as in claim 11, wherein the common intersection on the front surface of the transparent substrate is opposite the connection aperture in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The photovoltaic device as in claim 11, wherein the common intersection on the front surface of the transparent substrate is centered with respect to the connection aperture in the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The photovoltaic device as in claim 11, wherein each intersecting reinforcement spoke terminates at a connection to a perimetrical border bar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The photovoltaic device as in claim 11, wherein the reinforcement element further comprises an inner radial bar connected to each intersecting reinforcement spoke. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The photovoltaic device as in claim 10, wherein the reinforcing element comprises a metal, a fiber, or a plastic material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a plurality of reinforcement bars that are oriented substantially parallel to each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a plurality of first reinforcement bars oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second reinforcement bars oriented in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect each other such that each first reinforcement bar intersects at least one second reinforcement bar. ### Claim 19 A method of strengthening a photovoltaic device that includes an encapsulation substrate defining a connection aperture and a transparent substrate, wherein a first lead extends through the connection aperture from a plurality of thin film layers on an inner surface of the transparent substrate that is opposite of a front surface, wherein the plurality of thin film layers define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected to each other in a circuit, and wherein the first lead is connected to one part of the circuit, the method comprising: applying a reinforcement element onto the front surface of the transparent substrate and positioned opposite from the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate to support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture defined by the encapsulation substrate. ### Claim 20 A kit for use with a transparent substrate defining a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other on an inner surface and a first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells, wherein the transparent substrate defines a front surface opposite to the inner surface; the kit comprising: an encapsulation substrate defining a connection aperture configured to allow the first lead to pass therethrough upon lamination to the inner surface of the transparent substrate; and, a reinforcement element configured to be applied onto the front surface of a transparent substrate and positioned opposite from the connection aperture defined in the encapsulation substrate, the reinforcement element being configured to support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture defined by the encapsulation substrate.