Solar cell modules with improved backskin
First Claim
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1. A laminated solar cell module comprising:
- a front support layer formed of a light transmitting material and having first and second surfaces;
a plurality of interconnected solar cells having a first surface facing said front support layer and a second surface facing away from said front support layer;
a transparent encapsulant surrounding and encapsulating said interconnected solar cells, said transparent encapsulant being bonded to said second surface of said front support layer; and
a backskin having a first surface facing said second surface of said front support layer and bonded to said transparent encapsulant and said solar cells, said backskin comprising an ionomer/nylon alloy in sheet form.
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Abstract
A laminated solar cell module comprises a front light transmitting support, a plurality of interconnected solar cells encapsulated by a light-transmitting encapsulant material, and an improved backskin formed of an ionomer/nylon alloy. The improved backskin has a toughness and melting point temperature sufficiently great to avoid any likelihood of it being pierced by any of the components that interconnect the solar cells.
143 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A laminated solar cell module comprising:
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a front support layer formed of a light transmitting material and having first and second surfaces;
a plurality of interconnected solar cells having a first surface facing said front support layer and a second surface facing away from said front support layer;
a transparent encapsulant surrounding and encapsulating said interconnected solar cells, said transparent encapsulant being bonded to said second surface of said front support layer; and
a backskin having a first surface facing said second surface of said front support layer and bonded to said transparent encapsulant and said solar cells, said backskin comprising an ionomer/nylon alloy in sheet form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An assembly for conversion under heat and pressure into a laminated solar cell module, said assembly comprising:
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a front support layer formed of a light transmitting material and having front and back surfaces;
a first transparent thermoplastic encapsulant layer adjacent the back surface of said front support layer;
a plurality of interconnected solar cells having first and second surfaces adjacent said first transparent encapsulant layer;
a second transparent thermoplastic encapsulant layer disposed adjacent said solar cells in parallel relation to said first transparent encapsulant layer; and
a thermoplastic backskin layer comprising an ionomer/nylon alloy in sheet form.
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9. A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising:
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providing a front support layer formed of a light transmitting material and having front and back surfaces;
placing a first transparent thermoplastic encapsulant layer adjacent the back surface of said front support layer;
positioning a plurality of interconnected solar cells having first and second surfaces so that said first surfaces thereof are adjacent said first transparent encapsulant layer;
placing a second transparent thermoplastic encapsulant layer adjacent said second surfaces of said solar cells;
placing a thermoplastic backskin layer adjacent said second transparent thermoplastic encapsulant layer to thereby form an assembly;
subjecting said assembly to heat and pressure so as to melt said encapsulant layers and cause the encapsulant to surround said cells, and cooling said assembly so as to cause said encapsulant to solidify and bond to said front support layer, said cells and said backskin, whereby to laminate said layers and said solar cells together to form an integrated solar cell module;
characterized in that said backskin layer comprises an ionomer/nylon alloy. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. In a photovoltaic module of the type having an array of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells encapsulated between a transparent front panel and a back sheet by a light-transmitting encapsulant, the improvement wherein said back sheet is an ionomer/nylon alloy.
Specification