Interconnect Technologies for Back Contact Solar Cells and Modules
First Claim
1. A back contact solar cell module, the module comprising:
- a plurality of back contact solar cells;
a plurality of conductive interconnects, each interconnect extending the length of one or more solar cells and electrically connected to a plurality of bonding locations on the interior of a back surface of each of said one or more solar cells; and
insulating material disposed between said interconnects and said one or more solar cells at locations other than said bonding locations;
wherein said interconnects comprise a freeform structure at or near each of said bonding locations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for interconnecting back contact solar cells. The solar cells preferably have reduced area busbars, or are entirely busbarless, and current is extracted from a variety of points on the interior of the cell surface. The interconnects preferably relieve stresses due to solder reflow and other thermal effects. The interconnects may be stamped and include external or internal structures which are bonded to the solder pads on the solar cell. These structures are designed to minimize thermal stresses between the interconnect and the solar cell. The interconnect may alternatively comprise porous metals such as wire mesh, wire cloth, or expanded metal, or corrugated or fingered strips. The interconnects are preferably electrically isolated from the solar cell by an insulator which is deposited on the cell, placed on the cell as a discrete layer, or laminated directly to desired areas of the interconnect.
338 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A back contact solar cell module, the module comprising:
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a plurality of back contact solar cells; a plurality of conductive interconnects, each interconnect extending the length of one or more solar cells and electrically connected to a plurality of bonding locations on the interior of a back surface of each of said one or more solar cells; and insulating material disposed between said interconnects and said one or more solar cells at locations other than said bonding locations; wherein said interconnects comprise a freeform structure at or near each of said bonding locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for assembling a solar cell module, the method comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of solar cells; disposing a plurality of conductive interconnects comprising a plurality of freeform structures on the solar cells, each interconnect extending across two or more solar cells; and heating the solar cells and interconnects, thereby soldering portions of the interconnects to bonding locations on the interiors of back surfaces of the two or more solar cells. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification