Shingle solar module with integrated backsheet

A photovoltaic module comprising:

• a plurality of flexible photovoltaic shingles, each including:
• a flexible substrate having an opening in one side;
• a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on a side of the substrate opposite the opening;
• and
• a plurality of conductive traces disposed between the substrate and the photovoltaic cells, the traces electrically interconnecting the photovoltaic cells, and defining a positive terminal and a negative terminal associated with the interconnected cells and accessible through the opening in the substrate;
• and
• a flexible backsheet including:
• a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors attached to the backsheet;
• and
• a plurality of backsheet apertures, each aperture exposing portions of two of the shingle connectors on one side of the backsheet;
• wherein each opening in the flexible substrate of one of the shingles is configured to be aligned with a respective one of the backsheet apertures when the shingles are disposed on the backsheet, thereby electrically connecting the shingle connectors of the backsheet to the positive and negative terminals of each shingle and electrically connecting the shingles to each other.

A photovoltaic module comprising:

• a plurality of flexible photovoltaic shingles, each including:
• a flexible substrate;
• a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on one side of the substrate;
• a plurality of conductive traces disposed between the substrate and the photovoltaic cells, the traces electrically interconnecting the photovoltaic cells and defining a positive terminal and a negative terminal associated with the interconnected cells;
• and
• an opening formed in the flexible substrate on a side opposite the photovoltaic cells, the opening providing access to the positive and negative terminals;
• and
• a multi-layer flexible backsheet including:
• a plurality of electrically conductive shingle connectors disposed between layers of the backsheet;
• and
• a plurality of backsheet apertures, each aperture exposing portions of two of the shingle connectors on one side of the backsheet;
• wherein each opening in the flexible substrate of one of the shingles is configured to be aligned with a respective one of the backsheet apertures when the shingles are disposed on the backsheet, thereby electrically connecting the shingles to each other.