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US 7,829,781 B2Granted
Photovoltaic module architecture
AssigneeKonarka Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAlan Montello, Kevin Oliver, Kethinni G. Chittibabu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Modules are disclosed. The modules can include: a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode; a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode; and an interconnect that connects the electrodes of first and second photovoltaic cells. The interconnect can include: an electrically insulative material adhesive material; and a mesh partially disposed in the adhesive material.
Claims35
A module, comprising:
- a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode;
- a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode;
- an interconnect that connects the electrodes of first and second photovoltaic cells;
- a first substrate;
- a second substrate;
- and
- a first adhesive material, the first adhesive material being electrically insulative, wherein:
- a portion of the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell overlaps a portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
- the first photovoltaic cell is between the first and second substrates;
- the second photovoltaic cell is between the first and second substrates;
- a first portion of the first adhesive material is between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the second substrate;
- a second portion of the first adhesive material is between the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell and the first substrate;
- the interconnect is between the first and second portions of the first adhesive material;
- and
- the interconnect comprises:
- a second adhesive material, the second adhesive material being electrically insulative;
- and
- a first mesh partially disposed in the second adhesive material, the first mesh comprising an electrically conductive material.
15 more elements
A module, comprising:
- a first substrate;
- a second substrate;
- a first photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode, the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the anode of the first photovoltaic cell being between the first and second substrates;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode and the anode of the first photovoltaic cell;
- a second photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode, the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell being between the first and second substrates;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell;
- a first adhesive material, the first adhesive material being electrically insulative, the first adhesive material including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the second substrate, and the second portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the anode of the second photovoltaic cell and the first substrate;
- and
- an interconnect that connects the cathode of first photovoltaic cell and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell,
- wherein the interconnect comprises:
- a second adhesive material, the second adhesive material being electrically insulative;
- and
- a mesh partially disposed in the second adhesive material, the mesh being in direct contact with the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell;
- and
- wherein the interconnect is between first and second portions of the first adhesive material.
18 more elements
A module, comprising:
- a first substrate;
- a second substrate;
- a first photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode, the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the anode of the first photovoltaic cell being between the first and second substrates;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the anode of the first photovoltaic cell;
- a second photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode, the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell being between the first and second substrates;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell and the anode of the second photovoltaic cell;
- a first adhesive material, the first adhesive material being electrically insulative, the first adhesive material including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the second substrate, and the second portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell and the first substrate;
- and
- an interconnect that connects the cathode of first photovoltaic cell and the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell,
- wherein the interconnect comprises:
- a second adhesive material, the second adhesive material being electrically insulative;
- and
- a mesh partially disposed in the second adhesive material, the mesh being in direct contact with the cathode of the first photovoltaic cell and the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell;
- and
- wherein the interconnect is between first and second portions of the first adhesive material.
18 more elements
A module, comprising:
- a first photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode and the anode;
- a second photovoltaic cell including:
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- and
- a photoactive material between the cathode and the anode;
- a first adhesive material, the first adhesive material being electrically insulating, the first adhesive material including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the first electrode and the second substrate, and the second portion of the first adhesive material is in direct contact with the second electrode and the first substrate;
- and
- an interconnect that connects a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being the cathode of first photovoltaic cell or the anode of the first photovoltaic cell, and the second electrode being the cathode of the second photovoltaic cell or the anode of the second photovoltaic cell,
- wherein the interconnect comprises:
- a second adhesive material, the second adhesive material being electrically insulative;
- and
- an expanded mesh partially disposed in the second adhesive material, the mesh being in direct contact with the first and second electrodes;
- and
- wherein the interconnect is between first and second portions of the first adhesive material.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.