Patent · US Active

Edge reflector or refractor for bifacial solar module

US9929296B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
8References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 2009
Grant dateMar 27, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 11, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/52
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a bifacial photovoltaic module having an edge reflector. The module includes a plurality of solar cells in an array, each solar cell having a front side and a back side. A reflector is configured on an edge of the array of solar cells, the first reflector being configured to reflect light onto the front side of a row of solar cells adjacent to the edge. Another embodiment relates to a method of reducing non-uniformity of power generation from a bifacial photovoltaic module. Electrical current produced from solar cells along at least one edge of the array is increased by using a reflective strip facing towards the front side of the solar cells along the edge. Another embodiment relates to a bifacial photovoltaic module having an edge refractor. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.