Laminated photovoltaic modules using back-contact solar cells
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsJames M. Gee, Stephen E. Garrett, William P. Morgan, Walter Worobey
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Abstract
Photovoltaic modules which comprise back-contact solar cells, such as back-contact crystalline silicon solar cells, positioned atop electrically conductive circuit elements affixed to a planar support so that a circuit capable of generating electric power is created. The modules are encapsulated using encapsulant materials such as EVA which are commonly used in photovoltaic module manufacture. The module designs allow multiple cells to be electrically connected in a single encapsulation step rather than by sequential soldering which characterizes the currently used commercial practices.
Claims21
A laminated photovoltaic module comprising
- a planar structural support comprising a mesh and having two sides,
- an array of electrical conductors affixed to one side of said planar structural support, said array comprising a plurality of individual electrical conductors,
- a plurality of back-contact crystalline silicon solar cells bearing electrical terminals overlaying said array of electrical conductors with said electrical terminals in electrical contact with said electrical conductors whereby an electrical circuit capable of generating power is created,
- a sheet of glass overlaying said plurality of back-contact crystalline silicon solar cells,
- a layer of protective material covering said planar structural support on the side opposite the side to which said array of electrical conductors is affixed, and encapsulation material between said layer of protective material and said sheet of glass, and being in physical contact with said back-contact crystalline silicon solar cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.