Patents Assigned to Sunpower Corporation
  • Sun tracking solar energy collection system and method of assembly
    Patent number: 10804837
    Abstract: Various systems and methods enabling low cost solar tracker systems including lower cost mounting assemblies and fasteners are described herein. Reducing the material, manufacturing costs and/or labor required for assembly of solar tracker components can present significant reductions in the cost of solar tracker systems. In an embodiment, a hollow fastener can significantly lower the cost of solar tracker mounting and coupling assemblies while still maintaining strength and structural integrity of the solar tracker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Wares
  • Multi-operation tool for photovoltaic cell processing
    Patent number: 10804422
    Abstract: Multi-operation tools for photovoltaic cell processing are described. In an example, a multi-operation tool includes a conveyor system to move a photovoltaic (PV) cell continuously along a conveyor path through a laser scribing station and an adhesive printing station. Furthermore, the PV cell may be aligned to a laser head of the laser scribing station and a printer head of the adhesive printing station in a single alignment operation prior to being laser scribed and printed with an adhesive in a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Phillips Beckett, Gilad Almogy
  • Solar cell emitter region fabrication with differentiated p-type and n-type architectures and incorporating dotted diffusion
    Patent number: 10804415
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions with differentiated P-type and N-type architectures and incorporating dotted diffusion, and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface and a back surface. A first polycrystalline silicon emitter region of a first conductivity type is disposed on a first thin dielectric layer disposed on the back surface of the substrate. A second polycrystalline silicon emitter region of a second, different, conductivity type is disposed on a second thin dielectric layer disposed in a plurality of non-continuous trenches in the back surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Staffan Westerberg, Gabriel Harley
  • SHINGLED SOLAR CELLS OVERLAPPING ALONG NON-LINEAR EDGES
    Publication number: 20200321483
    Abstract: Solar devices and methods for producing solar devices are disclosed. In some examples, a solar device includes solar cells arranged in a shingled manner such that adjacent long edges of adjacent ones of the solar cells overlap. The adjacent long edges have a non-linear shape that has protruding portions. The solar device includes contact pads arranged in the protruding portions of the adjacent long edges such that the contact pads of the adjacent ones of the solar cells are electrically connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Alexis Caswell, Maritza Ruiz, Tamir Lance, Nathan Beckett, David DeGraaff
  • ESTIMATING PERFORMANCE OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20200294160
    Abstract: An energy evaluation system includes an energy system modeling framework and an Application Program Interface (API) as part of the energy system evaluation framework. The energy evaluation system can be configured to query a simulation application program interface (API) with PV system configuration parameters as arguments, generate a shade loss time series based on the system configuration parameters, simulate energy output for the PV system based on the shade loss time series, and output energy aggregations based on the simulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chetan Chaudhari, Tamir Lance, Amir Asgharzadeh Shishavan
  • Formed photovoltaic module busbars
    Patent number: 10777691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to busbar components for photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Photovoltaic module interconnect joints
    Patent number: 10770610
    Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) cells that can be interconnected with improved interconnect joints to form PV cell strings and PV modules. The improved interconnect joints comprise at least two types of adhesive bonding regions to maximize both electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of interconnect joints coupling terminals of PV cells. The disclosed approaches to PV cell interconnection provide greater manufacturing rates and higher quality PV cell strings and PV modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Sunny Sethi, Michele Guide, Gabriela Elena Bunea, Thierry Nguyen
  • Systems and method for determining solar panel placement and energy output
    Patent number: 10769318
    Abstract: Determining solar panel placement enables sales representatives and homeowners to modify a solar power system by adding or removing solar panels or arrays of solar panels, or changing module type. The user sees the corresponding solar energy production update instantly in a user interface. Determining solar panel placement includes receiving data corresponding to an installation location. A maximum solar panel design is determined based on the installation location. Energy production is determined for a solar panel on each section of a roof of an installation location, and the energy production and energy offset are dynamically displayed in real time when any solar panel or array is selected or deselected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Wachman, Matt Moone, Anthony Garzolini, Jeff Southard
  • Photovoltaic module having bi-directional couplings
    Patent number: 10763780
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module having bi-directional couplings is described. The bi-directional couplings include a first coupling mounted on a support frame under a first edge of the PV module and a second coupling mounted on the support frame under a second edge of the PV module. The PV module can be a keystone module and the bi-directional couplings of the keystone module can connect to respective couplings of several adjacent PV modules. The bi-directional couplings can form male-to-female connections with the respective couplings to quickly combine the PV modules into a PV module assembly. The PV module assembly includes the bi-directionally connected PV modules supporting each other in both an x-direction and a y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Gorny, Gabriela Elena Bunea
  • Generating a photovoltaic system design for a building
    Patent number: 10754999
    Abstract: A solar design generation system is configured to design a solar panel or photovoltaic (PV) system for the roof of building. A server includes processing circuitry configured to receive information from a remote device, including an address corresponding to a building having a roof, automatically generate a solar design in real time based on the received information, and display the solar design to a user. The user can interact with the solar design in various ways to accommodate, implement and calculate various design changes, design rules and electricity generation (production) estimates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miltiadis Vratimos, Jacob Wachman, Grzegorz Biziel, Derrick Boudwin, Blaz Snuderl, Dominik Kulikowski, James Mannix, Nour Daouk, Austen A. Satterlee
  • AGGREGATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
    Publication number: 20200266759
    Abstract: Photovoltaic panels may be aggregated in various ways and may be aggregated with the use of a backplane where the backplane comprises electrical connectors positioned to electrically connect the PV panels. The PV panels may have various sizes and shapes and may overlap one or more other PV panels or PV panels being aggregated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Okawa, Zachary S. Judkins, Tamir Lance, Tyler D. Newman, Thierry H. Nguyen, Ryan Reagan
  • System and method for associating a load demand with a variable power generation
    Patent number: 10749349
    Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a load demand with a variable power generation are described. For example, a method of providing power from a renewable resource includes receiving a signal including an output capability value for a renewable variable power generation module. An input power demand value is calculated for a load demand module based on the output capability value of the received signal. A customer load is controlled on a power transmission and distribution grid based on the calculated input power demand value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Carl J. S. Lenox
  • CLAMPS FOR SOLAR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200259450
    Abstract: A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan BRAUNSTEIN, Zachary Kinyon, Guillaume Carre, David Matrat
  • Shingled solar cells overlapping along non-linear edges
    Patent number: 10741703
    Abstract: Solar devices and methods for producing solar devices are disclosed. In some examples, a solar device includes solar cells arranged in a shingled manner such that adjacent long edges of adjacent ones of the solar cells overlap. The adjacent long edges have a non-linear shape that has protruding portions. The solar device includes contact pads arranged in the protruding portions of the adjacent long edges such that the contact pads of the adjacent ones of the solar cells are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Alexis Caswell, Maritza Ruiz, Tamir Lance, Nathan Beckett, David DeGraaff
  • Thermo-compression bonding tool with high temperature elastic element
    Patent number: 10737475
    Abstract: A thermo-compression bonding tool with a high temperature elastic element, and methods of bonding a metal sheet to a substrate using a thermo-compression bonding tool are described. In an example, a system for bonding a metal sheet to a substrate includes a stage to support the substrate and an elastic roller located above the stage. The elastic roller includes a high temperature material. The system also includes a heated backing plate located above the elastic roller. The backing plate is configured to apply pressure and heat to the elastic roller as the elastic roller rolls across a metal sheet disposed above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, Thomas P. Pass
  • Conductive foil based metallization of solar cells
    Patent number: 10727369
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include forming a first cut portion from a conductive foil. The method can also include aligning the first cut portion to a first doped region of a first semiconductor substrate. The method can include bonding the first cut portion to the first doped region of the first semiconductor substrate. The method can also include aligning and bonding a plurality of cut portions of the conductive foil to a plurality of semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse
  • Method and system for communication between inverter and solar module
    Patent number: 10720878
    Abstract: Technologies for communication between an inverter and a solar module are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include monitoring a voltage and/or current of the solar module to determine a corresponding voltage waveform and/or current waveform and determining whether the voltage waveform and/or current waveform includes an encoded message. If a message is encoded in the voltage waveform and/or current waveform, the solar module may perform one or more actions. For example, the solar module may adjust an operating voltage, current, or power, adjust a switching frequency or duty cycle of one or more converters of the solar module, initiate a global maximum power point search, and/or other actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Ehlmann
  • Solar roof mounting surface transition
    Patent number: D891360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Cadbury Wong, John Paul Kapla, Kyle Donald Feldmann, Dylan Benjamin
  • Solar panel support
    Patent number: D896168
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas McKibben, Sushrut Bapat, Elizabeth Schulte, Gary Rossi, Jeremy Mansell, Andrew Wolf, John Kapla
  • Solar panel
    Patent number: D896747
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ratson Morad, Gilad Almogy, Itai Suez, Jean Hummel, Nathan Beckett