Method for construction of rigid photovoltaic modules
First Claim
1. A rigid solar module having a flexible solar module prelaminate, the module comprising:
- a metal backing affixed to the prelaminate;
a corrugated backing affixed to the metal backing for providing rigidity to the combination of the metal backing and the prelaminate; and
a junction box providing a connection to the prelaminate, for transferring power to a load.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible solar module is provided sufficient rigidity for use in construction, and comparable rigidity to a glass based solar module, by incorporation of a metal backing to the module, preferably in the laminated module. The rigidity of the construction is enhanced by the inclusion of a corrugation, either in the metal backing, or in a structure that is affixed to the backing. The resulting structure is a modular unit that has connection points and does not need to be connected to other modules to operate. A connection point is provided by an integrated junction box that allows for a simpler installation and the use of standard building techniques for the installation on a roof or wall.
28 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A rigid solar module having a flexible solar module prelaminate, the module comprising:
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a metal backing affixed to the prelaminate;
a corrugated backing affixed to the metal backing for providing rigidity to the combination of the metal backing and the prelaminate; and
a junction box providing a connection to the prelaminate, for transferring power to a load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of forming a rigid photovoltaic module from a flexible photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
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affixing the flexible photovoltaic module to a rigid backing; and
structuring the rigid backed photovoltaic module to provide increased strength in at least one direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification