High voltage semiconductor based wafer and a solar module having integrated electronic devices
AssigneeSaphire Solar Technologies Aps
InventorYakov Safir
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high voltage semiconductor based wafer, which defines a front surface for exposure to solar light and an opposite back surface. The semiconductor based wafer includes a plurality of p-n junctions each exposed to solar light at the front surface, and the plurality of p-n junctions are electrically connected in series to provide a voltage substantially higher than the voltage of a single p-n junction.
Claims17
A method of producing a high voltage solar cell wafer, comprising:
- (a) providing a semiconductor based wafer defining a front surface configured for exposure to solar light and an opposite back surface;
- (b) forming on the wafer a plurality of p-n junctions, each located to receive solar light to which the front surface is exposed;
- (c) connecting the plurality of p-n junctions electrically in series to provide a voltage substantially higher than the voltage provided by a single p-n junction;
- and
- (d) forming on the wafer a plurality of by-pass diodes electrically connected in parallel with one or more of the p-n junctions.
A solar module, comprising:
- an enclosure including a back plate and a front plate, the front plate being transparent to solar light, the enclosure containing a plurality of solar cell assemblies and a plurality of bypass diode assemblies between the front and back plates, each bypass diode assembly being operatively associated with a corresponding solar cell assembly;
- wherein each of the solar cell assemblies comprises a string of series-connected p-n junctions configured to receive solar light exposed to the front plate;
- and
- wherein each of the bypass diode assemblies comprises a plurality of interconnected individual bypass diodes separated from each other so as to allow heat generated by the individual bypass diodes to dissipate, the individual bypass diodes in each of the bypass diode assemblies being juxtaposed in relation to, and electrically connected in parallel with, the string of series-connected p-n junctions so as to allow individual bypassing of each of the solar cell assemblies.
A solar module, comprising an enclosure containing a back plate and a front plate, the front plate being transparent to solar light, the enclosure containing a solar cell assembly between the front and back plates, the solar cell assembly comprising:
- a solar cell of semiconductor-based material configured to receive solar light to which the front plate is exposed and operable to generate electrical energy in response to the received solar light;
- a piezoelectric alarm operable for generating an audio alarm signal in response to an activation signal;
- and
- a control circuit connected between the solar cell and the piezoelectric alarm and operable for generating the activation signal in response to the removal of the solar module from an installation location.
A solar module, comprising an enclosure containing a back plate and a front plate, the front plate being transparent to solar light, the enclosure containing a solar cell assembly between the front and back plates, the solar cell assembly comprising:
- a solar cell of semiconductor-based material configured to receive solar light to which the front plate is exposed, and to generate electrical energy in response to the received solar light;
- and
- an energy storage unit electrically connected to the solar cell and operable for storing at least some of the electrical energy generated by the solar cell, the energy storage unit being selectively operable to assume either a storing mode, in which electrical energy is transported from the solar cell to the electrical storage unit when the solar cell receives solar light, or a delivering mode, in which electrical energy is transported from the storage unit to the solar cell assembly for generating visible light.
A method of manufacturing a solar module, comprising:
- providing an enclosure comprising a back plate and a front plate, the front plate being transparent for exposure to solar light;
- providing a plurality of solar cell assemblies, each of which comprises a string of series-connected p-n junctions;
- providing a plurality of bypass diode assemblies, each of which is operatively associated with a corresponding solar cell assembly, each of the bypass diode assemblies comprising a plurality of bypass diodes separated from each other so as to allow heat generated by the bypass diodes to dissipate;
- encapsulating the solar cell assemblies within the enclosure between the front plate and the back plate;
- and
- locating the bypass diode assemblies in the enclosure in a juxtaposed position in relation to the solar cell assemblies, and electrically connecting each of the bypass diode assemblies in parallel with one of the solar cell assemblies so as to allow individual bypassing of each of the solar cell assemblies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.