Solar-cell module with in-laminate diodes and external-connection mechanisms mounted to respective edge regions

US9018513B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• APOLLO PRECISION KUNMING YUANHONG LIMITED · CN

Inventors

• Steven Thomas Croft · Menlo Park, US
• William James McColl · Palo Alto, US
• Shawn Everson · Fremont, US
• Jason Stephen Corneille · San Jose, US
• Kent Whitfield · Mountain View, US
• Todd Krajewski · Mountain View, US
• Darin Britwhistle · Mill Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 2011
• Grant date: Apr 28, 2015
• Expiry date: May 21, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A solar-cell module. The solar-cell module includes a plurality of solar cells that are electrically coupled together. The solar-cell module further includes an in-laminate-diode assembly electrically coupled with the plurality of solar cells. The in-laminate-diode assembly is configured to prevent power loss. The solar-cell module also includes a protective structure at least partially encapsulating the plurality of solar cells. In addition, the solar-cell module includes a plurality of external-connection mechanisms mounted to a respective plurality of edge regions of the protective structure. An external-connection mechanism of the plurality of external-connection mechanisms is configured to enable collection of current from the plurality of solar cells and to allow interconnection with at least one other external device.