FOLDABLE, PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE
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Abstract
A foldable, portable, lightweight photovoltaic module has a carrier layer divided into equal sections separated by hinge spaces, a substrate layer on the carrier layer, and a photovoltaic cell layer on the substrate layer, wherein the hinge spaces each have a free space between opposing edges of the adjacent sections to enable them to be folded in accordion-like fashion for storage. The carrier layer may be made of rip-stop fabric and preferably supports 6 sections each with 6 PV cells of crystalline silicon of up to about 22% conversion efficiency. The module has a power output of about 122 watts at 24 volts, and weighs about 7.4 pounds (3.36 kg), with a power-to-size ratio of 14 watts/sft or more, and a power-to-weight ratio of 16.5 watts/pound or more. An improved method of lamination applies heat and pressure on upper and lower sides of the laminate layers through upper and lower chambers with respective pressure bladders and heaters that are independently controllable.
11 Citations
26 Claims
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1. -18. (canceled)
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19. An improved method for laminating a photovoltaic module comprising:
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providing a laminate workpiece comprising a carrier layer, a substrate layer, and a photovoltaic cell layer, and providing adhesive layers of thermally fusable, transparent film material between the carrier layer and the substrate layer, and between the substrate layer and the photovoltaic cell layer; and applying heat and pressure on the workpiece from upper and lower sides of the laminate layers through upper and lower chambers that have respective upper and lower pressure bladder layers and upper and lower heaters that are independently controllable. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification