Roll formed pan solar module
AssigneeAtlantic Richfield Company
InventorsTheresa L. Jester, John W. Yerkes, Charles F. Gay, William R. Bottenberg
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Abstract
A solar module comprising a solar cell string laminated between layers of pottant material and a transparent superstrate and a steel substrate. The steel substrate is roll formed to provide stiffening flanges on its edges while simultaneously forming a pan-shaped structure to hold other portions of the laminate in position during the laminating process. An improved terminal provides high voltage protection and improved mechanical strength. A conduit element provides protected raceways for external wires connected to module terminals.
Claims9
A solar cell module comprising:
- a metal substrate formed from a single sheet of material having a generally rectangular planar central portion having upper and lower surfaces, upturned flanges extending essentially at right angles from edges of said upper surface, downturned flanges extending from at least two opposed upturned flanges at substantially right angles to said central portion and extending beyond said lower surface,
- a first pottant sheet covering and supported by said upper surface,
- a plurality of solar cells positioned on said first pottant sheet,
- a second pottant sheet covering and supported by said circuit and said first pottant sheet,
- a substantially transparent superstrate covering said second pottant sheet, and
- terminals extending through said metal substrate to provide external connections to said circuit,
- wherein said upturned flanges extend above said upper surface by a distance about equal to the combined thicknesses of said first and second pottant sheets, said circuit and said superstrate, and
- wherein said first and second pottant sheets are fused together and fill substantially all space between said substrate, said solar cells and said superstrate, and also fill the space between the edges of said superstrate and the inner surfaces of said upturned flanges to form a weatherproof seal around edges of said module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.