Rotatable junction box for a solar module
First Claim
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1. A junction box for a solar module comprising:
- a junction box connectable to a solar module assembly, said solar module assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected solar cells, wherein the junction box is movable between at least two operating positions, wherein each position is associated with a different solar cell electrical connection configuration, wherein the junction box is rotatable between the at least two operating positions.
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Abstract
Provided are novel junction boxes for solar modules. The junction boxes or J-boxes can be rotated or otherwise moved to change the module'"'"'s electrical connection state. According to various embodiments, the J-boxes are movable between two or more orientations each associated with an electrical connection configuration. In particular embodiments, the configurations include two or more of an on position, an off position, an on series configuration, an on series-parallel configuration, and a bypass configuration. A J-box according to certain embodiments includes a replaceable insert. The insert may include one or more bypass diodes, an inverter or a DC/DC converter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A junction box for a solar module comprising:
a junction box connectable to a solar module assembly, said solar module assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected solar cells, wherein the junction box is movable between at least two operating positions, wherein each position is associated with a different solar cell electrical connection configuration, wherein the junction box is rotatable between the at least two operating positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A solar module assembly comprising:
a plurality of interconnected solar modules, each module comprising at least one solar cell string and at least one external connection mechanism for interconnecting the modules, wherein the at least one external connection mechanism is movable between operating positions to change an electrical connection configuration of interconnected modules or connected cell strings within a module, wherein the at least one external connection mechanism is a junction box, rotatable to change the electrical connection configuration of interconnected modules or connected cell strings within a module, having connectors attached thereto. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of installing or servicing a solar module system including at least one solar module having a plurality of interconnected solar cells, the method comprising
rotating a junction box mounted on a solar module between a first operating position and a second operating position to thereby change the solar cell electrical connection configuration.
Specification