Photovoltaic modules for use in vehicle roofs, and/or methods of making the same
First Claim
1. A method of making an integrated photovoltaic (PV) module for use in a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing first and second glass substrates;
providing a PV module, the PV module having a plurality of through-holes formed therein;
laminating together the first and second glass substrates with the PV module therebetween; and
wherein during said laminating, laminating material is allowed to at least substantially fill the plurality of through-holes in the PV module as a result of the through-holes'"'"' size, shape, and placement, andwherein the through-holes collectively have a total area selected so as to allow visible transmission through the integrated PV module to reach a selected target value.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for creating improved photovoltaic (PV) modules. In certain example embodiments and first and second glass substrate are provided. A PV array is provided between the first and second glass substrates. The first and second substrates are laminated together with the PV array between the glass substrates. In certain example embodiments the PV module is dimensioned to be similar to an existing roof system (e.g., a sunroof) in a vehicle. In certain example embodiments, holes are provided in a PV module sandwiched between two substrates, the holes being shaped and arranged within the PV module so as to allow light transmission into the vehicle at desired level while still being substantially filled by the laminate or adhesive material used to secure the PV module to the two surrounding substrates.
38 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of making an integrated photovoltaic (PV) module for use in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing first and second glass substrates; providing a PV module, the PV module having a plurality of through-holes formed therein; laminating together the first and second glass substrates with the PV module therebetween; and wherein during said laminating, laminating material is allowed to at least substantially fill the plurality of through-holes in the PV module as a result of the through-holes'"'"' size, shape, and placement, and wherein the through-holes collectively have a total area selected so as to allow visible transmission through the integrated PV module to reach a selected target value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of making a photovoltaic (PV) module, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate with a plurality of solar cells formed thereon; providing a grid of conductive material on the substrate; forming a plurality of through-holes in the substrate in a pattern such that (a) the through-holes collectively have a total area selected so as to allow visible transmission through an integrated PV module in which the PV module is disposed to reach a selected target value, and (b) the through-holes have an aspect ratio and a positioning sufficient to allow laminating material used in making the integrated PV module to flow therein and substantially fill the through-holes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An integrated photovoltaic (PV) module for use in a vehicle, comprising:
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first and second glass substrates; a PV module including a plurality of spaced apart solar cells and having a plurality of through-holes formed therein, the PV module being interposed between the first and second glass substrates; and a plurality of collection lines formed on the substrate and between adjacent solar cells, wherein the PV module is laminated to the first and second substrates such that the plurality of through-holes in the PV module are substantially filled with laminating material as a result of the through-holes'"'"' size, shape, and placement, and wherein the through-holes collectively have a total area selected so as to allow visible transmission through the integrated PV module to reach a selected target value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification