Abstract:
Thin film photovoltaic cells and strings of cells may be electrically joined in series. More specifically, electrical contacts between photovoltaic cells may be formed by positioning the cells between a pair of interconnection substrates, each of which includes a conductive grid. By positioning the cells appropriately between the substrates, an electrical connection is formed between one polarity of a given cell and the opposite polarity of an adjacent cell.
Abstract:
A substrate pad for soldering at least one self-aligning component thereon, wherein at least one edge of a body of the substrate pad is shaped to conform to a corresponding edge of a component pad, and the at least one edge of the body of the substrate pad further include a plurality of pad fingers leading away from the substrate pad. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a circuit board includes: forming a plurality of metal electrodes so as to be separated from each other on a holding sheet by cutting a metal foil held on the holding sheet to remove a portion of the metal foil; forming adhesive layers on surfaces of the plurality of metal electrodes; adhering the adhesive layers to a base material by closely contacting the adhesive layers with the base material; and transcribing the adhesive layers and the plurality of metal electrodes onto the base material by detaching the holding sheet from the plurality of metal electrodes.
Abstract:
A modular interconnection system in the form of a releasable modular interconnect is provided. The releasable modular interconnect may include a substrate with a plurality of releasable contact regions, where each releasable contact region may be positioned to overlay a respective terminal of a power cell. The releasable modular interconnect may also include at least one conductive interconnect member affixed to the substrate, where the conductive interconnect member includes at least a one conductive releasable contact disposed within a releasable contact region of the substrate. The conductive releasable contact may be positioned to form a releasable electrical connection with a terminal of a power cell when a force is applied to the first releasable contact region in a direction toward the terminal of the power cell. Additional and related methods and apparatuses are also provided.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a solar cell module comprising an array of interconnected solar cells that are formed using an automated processing sequence that is used to form a novel solar cell interconnect structure. In one embodiment, the module structure described herein includes a patterned adhesive layer that is disposed on a backsheet to receive and bond a plurality of patterned conducting ribbons thereon. The bonded conducting ribbons are then used to interconnect an array of solar cell devices to form a solar cell module that can be electrically connected to external components that can receive the solar cell module's generated electricity.
Abstract:
Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series, and laminated to a substantially transparent top sheet having a conductive grid pattern facing the cells. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. Methods may include steps of coordinating, integrating, and registering multiple rolls of substrates in continuous processes.