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US 9,960,302 B1Granted
Cascaded photovoltaic structures with interdigitated back contacts
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorsJiunn Benjamin Heng, Peter J. Rive, Zhigang Xie, Bobby Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar module is provided. The solar module includes a number of photovoltaic structures. Each photovoltaic structure has an interdigitated back contact, and the photovoltaic structures are cascaded, wherein any two adjacent structures are electrically coupled by overlapping their edges.
Claims11
A solar module, comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic structures, each having a front side, a back side, and an interdigitated back contact;
- wherein each photovoltaic structure comprises a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge;
- wherein the plurality of photovoltaic structures include first, second, and third structures, wherein the second structure is adjacent to and positioned between the first and third structures;
- wherein each of the first and third structures comprises:
- first and second front edge busbars positioned on the first and second edges, respectively, of the front side of the structure, and
- first and second back edge busbars positioned on the first and second edges, respectively, of the back side of the structure;
- and
- wherein the first and second edges of the second structure are coupled with and positioned above the second edge of the first structure and first edge of the third structure, respectively.
5 more elements
A solar cell, comprising:
- a semiconductor structure having a front side and a back side;
- a back contact located on the back side of the structure, wherein the contact comprises:
- a first plurality of finger lines having a first polarity;
- a second plurality of finger lines having a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity, wherein the first and second pluralities of finger lines are interdigitated;
- a first back edge busbar positioned on a first edge of the back side of the structure and electrically connected to the first plurality of finger lines;
- and
- a second back edge busbar positioned on a second edge of the back side of the structure and electrically connected to the second plurality of finger lines;
- a first front edge busbar located on the first edge of the front side of the structure, wherein the first front edge busbar is electrically coupled to the first back edge busbar;
- and
- a second front busbar located on the second edge of the front side of the structure, wherein the second front edge busbar is electrically coupled to the second back edge busbar.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.