ILLUMINATION AGNOSTIC SOLAR PANEL
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic module comprising:
- a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, wherein;
the plurality of photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other;
the plurality of cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other; and
the plurality of cell rows include a first row and a last row; and
a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet forming a current return path between the first and last rows;
wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic module comprising:
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a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, wherein; the plurality of photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other; the plurality of cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other; and the plurality of cell rows include a first row and a last row; and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet forming a current return path between the first and last rows; wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A photovoltaic module comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, the plurality of photovoltaic cells in each cell row being connected in parallel to each other and the plurality of cell rows being connected in series to each other such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells, the plurality of cell rows including a first row and a last row; a substantially electrically conductive backsheet forming a current return path between the first and last rows, the backsheet including a first end electrically connected to the first row of photovoltaic cells through an electronics assembly and a second end electrically connected to the last row of photovoltaic cells; the electronics assembly attached to the first end of the backsheet, the electronics assembly including a plurality of power conversion circuits and a housing extending substantially parallel to the first end of the backsheet; and two terminals, each extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a major surface of the backsheet, each of the two connectors having a contact area of at least six square millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of commencing operation in a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
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electrically isolating a plurality of photovoltaic cells and power conversion circuits of a photovoltaic module from an external circuit including an external negative line and an external positive line respectively connected to an internal negative line and internal positive line of the photovoltaic module; prior to commencing operation of the photovoltaic module, determining a line potential across the external negative and positive lines; determining whether the external circuit includes a battery based on the determined line potential; and if it is determined that the external circuit includes a battery, initializing operation of the photovoltaic module consistent with the external circuit including a battery;
orif it is determined that the external circuit lacks a battery; determining that the external circuit includes an inverter; and initializing operation of the photovoltaic module consistent with the external circuit including an inverter. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of controlling power output generated by a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
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measuring module output power collectively generated by a plurality of power conversion circuits of a photovoltaic module characterized by a module power output curve having a peak; comparing a current measured output power to a preceding measured output power; and based on a preceding direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the photovoltaic module was previously operating and the comparison of the current measured output power to the preceding measured output power; determining a current direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the photovoltaic module is currently operating; and adjusting a switching period of the plurality of power conversion circuits. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification