Solar module and process for manufacturing same

• US 5,942,046 A
• Filed: 03/17/1998
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Kahlfuss, Hans, Preuss, Ludwig
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miggins, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US09/042,870
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/251, 136/256, 136/259, 136/292, 438/64, 438/66, 438/118, 438/119
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/443 Photovoltaic cell arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0508 the interconnection means having a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0512 made of a particular material or composition of materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar module 1, which has individual solar cells 3 wired with one another in a regular arrangement on a large-area support 2. Cover glasses of the solar cells are provided with an electrically conductive coating. The cover glass elements are conductively connected to one another and finally to the support by means of contact rails. An electrically insulating material is to be introduced in the areas A of mutually adjacent corners between the cover glasses of the solar cells 3, and a lamina consisting of a conductive material, which acts as the connector, is bonded to this material as well as to the corners by means of an electrically conductive adhesive.

Claims

1. A solar module, comprising:

a plurality of individual solar cells;

a support, said individual solar cells being fastened to said support in an arrangement;

a plurality of cover glass elements, each cover glass element being on a side of said individual solar cells facing away from said support;

a transparent, conductive coating provided on said cover glass elements on a side of said cover glass elements facing away from said solar cells;

electrically conductive connectors bonded to said transparent conductive coating at a location adjacent to corners of said cover glass elements, said cover glass elements being in electrical contact with one another through said electrically conductive connectors;

electrically insulating material introduced in areas of mutually adjacent corners between said cover glass elements; and

conductive adhesive, said electrically conductive connectors being laminas bonded to said corners and bonded to a surface of said insulating material located between said corners.

2. The solar module in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating material is arranged in a cross-like arrangement between four adjacent corners each.

3. The solar module in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating material is introduced only between two mutually adjacent corners.

4. The solar module in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating material extends down to said support.

5. The solar module in accordance with claim 4, wherein said electrically insulating material is an adhesive, and said solar cells are bonded with said electrically insulating material to said support.