US 4,321,416 AGranted

Photovoltaic power generation

AssigneeAMP Incorporated

InventorRobert J. Tennant

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Abstract

A photovoltaic module is disclosed in the form of a shingle having an active portion containing photovoltaic cells and an inactive mounting portion. Flat flexible ribbon-like positive and negative leads extend from the terminals in the active portion. The individual modules are mounted on a surface by means of fasteners extending through the inactive portions of the modules. At the time of installation, the flexible leads are folded to provide a servicing loop and the ends of the leads are then connected into the electrical network of the system. Individual modules can be removed from the system by moving the modules in their own planes away from the array of modules with accompanying straightening of the loops so that modules can be replaced. Improved circuit arrangements for connecting modules in an array and improved installation methods are disclosed which take advantage of the flat flexible conductors extending from the modules.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A photovoltaic module of the type which is in the form of a roof shingle comprising an active portion and an inactive portion, said active portion having photovoltaic cells thereon, said inactive portion partially surrounding said active portion whereby a multiplicity of said shingles can be installed on a roof with said inactive portions overlapping, with said active portions exposed, and with said active portions connected to each other in accordance with a predetermined circuit arrangement thereby to provide a photovoltaic generating unit on said roof, said shingle being characterized in that:

said active portion has a positive lead and a negative lead extending therefrom, each of said leads comprising a flat flexible ribbon-like conductor encased in flexible insulating films, said leads having free ends which are intended for connection to conductors in said circuit arrangement,
each of said leads having a length which is greater than the length required to connect said leads into said circuit arrangement by an amount which will provide a slack servicing loop between said active portion and said free ends whereby,
after installation of a multiplicity of said shingles on a roof as an array, an individual shingle can be removed from said array without disconnecting said free ends from said circuit arrangement by moving said individual shingle from said array with accompanying straightening of said servicing loop.

A photovoltaic generating unit of the type comprising a support, an array of photovoltaic modules on said support, each module having a positive lead and a negative lead extending therefrom, said modules being electrically connected to each other in a series-parallel arrangement and being connected to positive and negative bus conductors, said generating unit being characterized in that:

said support has an even number plurality of of parallel spaced-apart connecting conductors thereon, the spacing between adjacent connecting conductors being substantially equal to one of the overall dimensions of one of said modules,
said modules being installed on said support in covering relationship to said connecting conductors and being arranged in columns and rows, said columns extending parallel to said connecting conductors, said rows extending normally of said connecting conductors, said modules being oriented with said one overall dimension extending in the direction of said rows,
all of said modules in each column having their negative leads connected to the same connecting conductor and having their positive leads connected to one of the adjacent connecting conductors,
the modules in every other row having their leads of a first polarity connected to odd numbered connecting conductors and having their leads of the second polarity connected to even numbered connecting conductors,
the modules in the remaining rows having their leads of the second polarity connected to odd numbered connecting conductors and having their leads of said first polarity connected to even numbered connecting conductors,
the connecting conductor which is at the one side of said unit having negative leads only connected thereto, the connecting conductor which is at the other side of said unit having positive leads only connected thereto,
said bus conductors being connected to said connecting conductors at said one side and at said other side whereby,
all of said modules in each of said columns are connected in parallel and all of the modules in each pair of adjacent rows are connected in series.

5 more elements

A method of assembling a photovoltaic generating unit of the type comprising a support, an array of photovoltaic modules on said support, each module having a positive lead and a negative lead extending therefrom, said modules being electrically connected to each other in a series-parallel arrangement and being connected to positive and negative bus conductors, said method comprising the steps of:

installing an even number plurality of connecting conductors on said support in parallel spaced-apart relationship to each other,
installing said modules on said support in covering relationship to said connecting conductors and, during installation of said modules, arranging said modules in columns which extend parallel to said connecting conductors and rows which extend transversely of said connecting conductors,
during the installation of the modules in every other row, connecting the leads of a first polarity to associated odd numbered connecting conductors and connecting the leads of the second polarity to associated even numbered connecting conductors,
during installation of the modules in the remaining rows, connecting the leads of the first polarity to associated even numbered connecting conductors and connecting the leads of the second polarity to associated odd numbered connecting conductors,
connecting only negative leads of the modules in the column on one side of the unit to the connecting conductor on said one side and connecting only positive leads of the modules in the column on the other side of the unit to the connecting conductor on said other side of the unit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/216,726Filed 15 Dec 1980
Granted: 23 Mar 1982
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

H10F 19/90
Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell covered by group H10F10/00, e.g. photovoltaic…
H02S 20/23
Specially adapted for buildings: specially adapted for roof structures
H02S 20/25
Specially adapted for roof structures: roof tile elements
H02S 40/36
Electrical components: characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module…