Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck and arranged in an array, and at least one jumper module electrically connecting a first subarray and a second subarray of the array. The jumper module includes a first end and a second end, a sleeve extending from the first end to the second end, and at least one electrical cable. The sleeve is sized and shaped to receive the at least one electrical cable. The at least one electrical cable electrically connects the first subarray to the second subarray.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating one-dimensional metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate and parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of emitter regions for the solar cell. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal lines corresponding to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The plurality of metal lines is parallel along the first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.

Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic shingles installed on a roof deck, each of the shingles having a first layer including a head lap portion, and a second layer including at least one solar cell. A first photovoltaic shingle overlays at least a part of the head lap portion of a second photovoltaic shingle. The system includes at least one wireway installed proximate to a first end of at least the first photovoltaic shingle.

Abstract: A building integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules at least one solar cell, a first encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the first encapsulant, and a backsheet juxtaposed with a second surface of the first encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a second encapsulant, and a first polymer layer. The backsheet includes a first layer and a second polymer layer attached to the first layer. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket, which is configured to overlap the wire cover bracket of an adjacent one of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating one-dimensional metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate and parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of emitter regions for the solar cell. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal lines corresponding to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The plurality of metal lines is parallel along the first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.

Abstract: A system includes a photovoltaic module including at least one solar cell with electrical bussing, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell and having a first surface with a first opening, and a frontsheet juxtaposed with the first surface of the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a second opening extending from a first surface to a second surface thereof. The second opening of the frontsheet is in fluid communication with the first opening of the encapsulant. The electrical bussing is positioned in the first opening. An electrical wire is connected to the electrical bussing through the first and second openings. A cover is attached to the frontsheet and covers one end of the electrical wire and the first and second openings.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods that may include attaching a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module to a back-sheet, wherein the first photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the second photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end; forming a seam on the back-sheet between the first and second photovoltaic modules; forming an electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules by electrically connecting the first end of the first photovoltaic module to the second end of the second photovoltaic module; and separating the first and second photovoltaic modules along the seam while maintaining the electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems that may include photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A rapid shutdown device for rapidly de-energizing a photovoltaic module system is disclosed. The rapid shutdown device includes power lines connected to a photovoltaic string of modules on a roof of a structure. A high voltage switch on a first power line is disconnected when the high voltage switch is open. The rapid shutdown device includes a gate drive circuit that receives an electronic photovoltaic string status signal associated with an operating status of the photovoltaic string. The gate drive circuit may determine that the operating status indicates the presence of a hazard based on the electronic photovoltaic string status signal. Based on presence of the hazard, the rapid shutdown device generates a high voltage switch command signal to cause the high voltage switch to open to disconnect the photovoltaic string from an electrical connection to a grid power supply, thereby enhancing protection of the string and safety for responders.

Abstract: A system, including: a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed above a roof deck, where the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes at least a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, where each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a plurality of solar cells; a first receptacle on the top surface, where the first receptacle has: a plurality of first non-conductive openings, and a plurality of first conductive members in the plurality of first non-conductive openings; and a second receptacle on the bottom surface, where the second receptacle has: a plurality of second non-conductive openings, and a plurality of second conductive members in the plurality of second non-conductive openings, where at least a portion of the second photovoltaic module overlaps at least a portion of the first photovoltaic module, where the first receptacle of the first photovoltaic module is in mechanical connection with the second recep

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods that may include attaching a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module to a back-sheet, wherein the first photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the second photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end; forming a seam on the back-sheet between the first and second photovoltaic modules; forming an electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules by electrically connecting the first end of the first photovoltaic module to the second end of the second photovoltaic module; and separating the first and second photovoltaic modules along the seam while maintaining the electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems that may include photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A building integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules at least one solar cell, a first encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the first encapsulant, and a backsheet juxtaposed with a second surface of the first encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a second encapsulant, and a first polymer layer. The backsheet includes a first layer and a second polymer layer attached to the first layer. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket, which is configured to overlap the wire cover bracket of an adjacent one of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck in an array. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket substantially aligned with the wire cover bracket of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. At least one cover is removably attached to at least one of the wire cover brackets. The cover includes a top portion, a first side portion extending from a first side of the top portion, and a second side portion extending from a second side of the top portion opposite the first side. The top portion of the at least one cover is configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from above the at least one cover. The first and second side portions are configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from a lateral direction relative to the wire cover bracket.

Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, each having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side extending from the first end to the second end, a second side opposite the first side and extending from the first end to the second end, a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the encapsulant. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second side thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first side thereof. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second end thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first end thereof.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic shingles installed on a roof deck, each of the shingles having a first layer including a head lap portion, and a second layer including at least one solar cell. A first photovoltaic shingle overlays at least a part of the head lap portion of a second photovoltaic shingle. The system includes at least one wireway installed proximate to a first end of at least the first photovoltaic shingle.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck in an array and at least one jumper module electrically connecting a first subarray to a second subarray of the array. The jumper module includes at least one electrical bussing and an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one electrical bussing. The jumper module includes a frontsheet juxtaposed with the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a first layer and a polymer layer attached to the first layer.

Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, each having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side extending from the first end to the second end, a second side opposite the first side and extending from the first end to the second end, a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the encapsulant. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second side thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first side thereof. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second end thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first end thereof.