Abstract: The invention is a flexible photovoltaic article having excellent environmental barrier and mechanical protection for the photovoltaic system. The article comprises top side protective layers that include a flexible thin film glass under a top side stress relieving layer and on the opposite side of the photovoltaic cell a backside stress relieving layer.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an assembly including at least a photovoltaic sheathing element capable of being affixed on a building structure, the sheathing element including at least: a photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion attached to one or more portions of the photovoltaic cell assembly; at least a first and a second connector assembly disposed on opposing sides of the sheathing element and capable of directly or indirectly electrically connecting the photovoltaic cell assembly to at least two adjoining devices that are affixed to the building structure and wherein at least one of the connector assemblies includes a flexible portion; one or more connector pockets disposed in the body portion the pockets capable of receiving at least a portion of the connector assembly.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising; (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other in a first direction, each photovoltaic component comprising (i) a partial recess in communication with the partial recess in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors aligned in a second direction which is non-parallel to the first direction; (b) a connector located at feast partially in the partial recess of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial recess of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: (i) a flexible housing having a first end and a second end; (ii) one or more connection ports at the first end; (iii) one or more connection ports at the second end; and (iv) one more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the one or more connection ports at the first end to the one or more connection ports at the second en

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices 2 containing connector assemblies 10 and connector electrical circuit assemblies 5 having enhanced sealing about electrical components, enhanced adhesion between components of dissimilar materials and enhanced structural integrity and strength.

Abstract: A photovoltaic component comprising: an integral electrical connector; a protective stowage pocket that houses at feast a portion of the electrical connector during a storage position so that the electrical connector is protected when in an uninstalled position; wherein the electrical connector is movable from the protective stowage pocket to an electrical connection position where the electrical connector electrically connects the photovoltaic component to an adjacent photovoltaic component,?

Abstract: A photovoltaic component comprising; two or more mating components spatially separated along a surface of the photovoltaic component wherein at feast one of the two or more mating components mates with a portion of one or more adjacent photovoltaic components to form a connection between one or more mating components of the one or more adjacent photovoltaic components so that a mating connection is formed between the photovoltaic component and the adjacent photovoltaic component, and wherein the at least one of the two or more mating components of the photovoltaic component and the at least one of the one or more mating components of the adjacent photovoltaic component align the photovoltaic component and the adjacent photovoltaic component relative to one another; and wherein at least one of the two or more mating components of the photovoltaic component are shaped and form a handle for carrying and/or moving the photovoltaic component.

Abstract: A solar module (2) comprising; (a) an active portion (4) and (b) a support portion (6), wherein the support portion (8) and the active portion (4) each comprise: (i) an upper surface (60), (ii) a lower surface (62), (iii) or both; wherein the upper surface (60) or the lower surface (62) of the support portion (6) includes: a plurality of reinforcement ribs (20); and wherein the solar module (2) includes one or more of the following: (A) the support portion includes an intermediate portion (6C) and an overlap support portion (6A) and the intermediate portion (6C) acts as a structural interface between the active portion (4) and the support portion (6), and the intermediate portion (6C) includes one or more gate locations (10, 12); (B) the plurality of reinforcement ribs (20) extend at an angle along the support portion (6) so that an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a width direction is substantially equal to an effective modulus of the support portion (6) along a length direction; or (C) the

Abstract: The fluoropolymer compositions of the present invention generally incorporate ingredients comprising one or more fluoropolymers, an ultraviolet light protection component (hereinafter UV protection component), and optionally one or more additional ingredients if desired. The UV protection component includes a combination of at least one hindered tertiary amine (HTA) compound having a certain structure and a weight average molecular weight of at least 1000. This tertiary amine is used in combination with at least one organic, UV light absorbing compound (UVLA compound) having a weight average molecular weight greater than 500. When the HTA compound and the UVLA compound are selected according to principles of the present invention, the UV protection component provides fluoropolymer compositions with significantly improved weatherability characteristics for protecting underlying materials, features, structures, components, and/or the like.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product using a polymer membrane, the polymer being a self assembling polymeric material, and the method including a.) rendering the said polymer into a film; and b.) packaging a food product in an atmosphere with the said polymer film, wherein said film regulates the atmosphere in which the food product is packaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic article comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells having first (22) and second (24) electrical connector segments in contact with the top side (18) of a first cell (10) and the backside (16) of a second adjacent cell (12). The materials used to form the electrical connector segments are selected to minimize corrosion, maximize contact area, and lower contact resistance over the lifetime of the article.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a PV element having a conductive layer positioned on a light-incident side of the PV element, a conductor electrically coupled to the conductive layer, and a conductive particle matrix interposed between the conductor and the conductive layer at a number of positions on the conductive layer. The article further includes a carrier film positioned on the light-incident side of the PV element, and a non-conductive adhesive, where the adhesive and the conductor are positioned between the carrier film and the conductive layer.

Abstract: Laminate structures comprising one or more sheets of material bonded together with an adhesive polymer. The adhesive polymer is a polyester amide, polyester urethane, or polyester urea.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is premised’ upon an assembly that includes at least a photovoltaic building sheathing element capable of being affixed on a building structure, the photovoltaic building sheathing element. The element including a photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion attached to one or more portions of the photovoltaic cell assembly; and at feast a first and a second connector assembly capable of directly or indirectly electrically connecting the photovoltaic cell assembly to one or more adjoining devices; wherein the body portion includes one or more geometric features adapted to engage a vertically adjoining device before installation.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device (10) with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly (100) and a body portion (200) joined at an interface region (410) and including an intermediate layer (500), at least one interconnecting structural member (1500), relieving feature (2500), unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes at least two solar active elements separated by a gap, with a flexible material provided to define the gap. The article provides for enhanced resilience and conformity to an installation surface.

Abstract: The present invention: is premised upon an improved photovoltaic building sheathing member (“PV device”), more particularly to a flexible high modulus photovoltaic building sheathing member, the member comprising: a flexible photovoltaie eel! assembly, a body portion comprised of a body material and connected to a peripheral edge segment of the photovoltaic cell assembly, wherein; the body portion has a cross-sectional area of at least 35 mm2 within 1 cm oft at least 95 percent of points along the peripheral edge segment; wherein the body material comprises a composition having a modulus of 1600 to 9000 MPa between a temperature of ?40 to 85° C., with a coefficient of thermal expansion (GTE) between 5×10?6/° C. and 55×10?6/° C. and the body portion exhibiting a warpage value of less than 15 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon -m improved photovoltaic building sheathing member (“PV device”), more particularly to a flexible low modulus photovoltaic building sheathing member, the member comprising: a flexible photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion comprised of a body material and connected to a; peripheral edge segment of the photovoltaic cell assembly, wherein the body portion has a cross-sectional area of at least 35 mm2 within 1 cm on at least 95 percent of points along the peripheral edge segment: wherein the body material comprises a composition having a modulus of 5 to 200 MPa between a temperature of ?40 to 85° C., with a coefficient of thermal expansion (GTE) below 100×10?6/° C., and the body portion exhibiting a warpage value of less than 15 mm.

Abstract: The instant invention generally provides polymer inorganic-particulate composite fiber comprising a molecularly self-assembling material and an inorganic-particulate, and a process of making and an article comprising the polymer inorganic-particulate composite fiber.