Elongated photovoltaic devices, methods of making same, and systems for making same

US8383929B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Solyndra, LLC · US

Inventors

• Erel Milshtein · Cupertino, US
• Benyamin Buller · Cupertino, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2013
• Expiry date: May 29, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50

Abstract

Under one aspect, a nonplanar photovoltaic module having a length includes: (a) an elongated nonplanar substrate; and (b) a plurality of solar cells disposed on the elongated nonplanar substrate, wherein each solar cell in the plurality of solar cells is defined by (i) a plurality of grooves around the nonplanar photovoltaic module and (ii) a groove along the length of the photovoltaic module. In some embodiments, each groove of the plurality of grooves about the photovoltaic module, independently, has a repeating pattern, a non-repeating pattern, or is helical. In some embodiments, the module further includes a patterned conductor providing serial electrical communication between adjacent solar cells. In some embodiments, portions of the patterned conductor providing serial electrical communication between adjacent solar cells are within a groove of the plurality of grooves about the photovoltaic module.