# US 2014/0150843 A1 · Shingle-like photovoltaic modules

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- Number: US 2014/0150843 A1
- Document ID: US20140150843A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/008,909
- Filed: 2012-03-30
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-04-01
- Assignees: Nuvosun, Inc.
- Inventors: David B. Pearce; Dennis R. Hollars; Robert J. Cleereman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150843A1

## CPC

- H10F 77/50: Encapsulations or containers (for photovoltaic modules H10F19/80)
- H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures
- H02S 20/25: Roof tile elements
- 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)
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- 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)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A photovoltaic system comprises one or more shingle-like photovoltaic (PV) modules, each having a layer of optically transparent material adjacent to a layer of photoactive material configured to generate electricity upon exposure to light from the layer of optically transparent material. In some cases the layer of optically transparent material of each of the one or more shingle-like PV modules has a pattern of depressions in a shingle-like configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A photovoltaic module, comprising:
a first layer of an optically transparent material that is transparent to at least a portion of incident light;
a second layer of a water vapor barrier material adjacent to said first layer, wherein said second layer is transparent to at least a portion of light from said first layer;
a third layer having one or more interconnected photovoltaic (PV) cells adjacent to said second layer, wherein said one or more interconnected PV cells generate power upon exposure to light directed from said first layer through said second layer to said third layer; and
a fourth layer of an electrically insulating material adjacent to said third layer,
wherein said first layer includes one or more outer surfaces that are oriented at an angle greater than zero degrees in relation to a surface of the second layer adjacent to said first layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said first layer comprises a polymeric material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

### Claim 3

(canceled)

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the layers are joined to one another with the aid of an adhesive.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said water vapor barrier material comprises a coated polymeric material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said water vapor barrier material comprises SiOx, wherein ‘x’ is a number greater than zero.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said moisture barrier material has a water vapor permeance less than or equal to about 10−4 grams/m2/day.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said one or more outer surfaces are roughened in relation to said surface of said second layer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, further comprising a fifth layer of another water vapor barrier material adjacent to said fourth layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The photovoltaic module of claim 9, wherein said another water vapor barrier material comprises aluminum.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The photovoltaic module of claim 9, wherein said another water vapor barrier material comprises a polymeric substrate coated with one or more barrier layers.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The photovoltaic module of claim 9, further comprising a sixth layer of a protective material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said one or more outer surfaces are a plurality of outer surfaces that are integrated with said first layer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, further comprising a support member adjacent to said fourth layer, said support member having a plurality of holes extending through said support member.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein said one or more outer surfaces comprise a plurality of depressions.

### Claim 16

A photovoltaic module, comprising:
a first layer of an optically transparent material that is transparent to at least a portion of incident light, said first layer having a pattern of depressions;
a second layer of a first moisture barrier material adjacent to said first layer, wherein said second layer is transparent to at least a portion of light from said first layer;
a third layer having one or more interconnected photovoltaic (PV) cells adjacent to said second layer, wherein said one or more interconnected PV cells generate power upon exposure to light from said second layer; and
a fourth layer of an electrically insulating material adjacent to said third layer.

### Claim 17

(canceled)

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The photovoltaic module of claim 16, further comprising a support member adjacent to said fourth layer, said support member having a plurality of holes extending through said support member.

### Claim 19

A photovoltaic system, comprising one or more shingle-like photovoltaic modules, each shingle-like photovoltaic module of said one or more shingle-like photovoltaic modules having an embossed layer of optically transparent polymeric material adjacent to a layer of photoactive material configured to generate electricity upon exposure to light from said embossed layer.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The photovoltaic system of claim 19, further comprising a shingle adjacent to an individual shingle-like photovoltaic module of said one or more shingle-like photovoltaic modules.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The photovoltaic system of claim 19, wherein said embossed layer comprises a pattern of troughs in a shingle-like configuration.

### Claim 22

A method for forming a shingle-like photovoltaic module, comprising providing a layer of photoactive material adjacent to an optically transparent polymeric sheet having a pattern of depressions formed therein in a shingle-like configuration, wherein said photoactive material generates electricity upon exposure to light from said optically transparent polymeric sheet.

### Claim at position 23

23-24. (canceled)