Abstract: A solar heat collector having reduced convention losses until a predetermined absorber means excess temperature is reached and including a radiant energy absorbing means which has a first and a second surface. Means for the passage of a fluid to be heated is positioned in contact with the second surface of the absorbing means. Means for reducing conduction losses are positioned adjacent to the means for passage thereby sandwiching the means for passage between the absorbing means and the means for reducing. Glazing means which is transparent to radiant energy is positioned over the first surface of the absorbing means and is spaced apart therefrom thereby trapping air between the glazing means and the absorbing means. Means to suppress convection flow of the trapped air until a predetermined absorbing means temperature is reached. The means to suppress convection is located between the glazing means and the absorbing means thereby reducing losses due to convection from the absorbing means.

Abstract: An interconnection system for interconnecting a plurality of photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic devices each have a first and a second side and the interconnect system is located on the second side of the photovoltaic devices. A sheet of dielectric material and a sheet of electrically conductive material are bonded together and positioned so that the dielectric material is next to the photovoltaic devices. A plurality of patterns are formed in the sheet of electrically conductive material. The patterns each have angled tabs punched therein so that the angled tabs are punched through both the electrically conductive material and the dielectric material. When a photovoltaic device is positioned within a group of angled tabs, the angled tabs can be brought into contact with electrical contacts on the first side of the photovoltaic device. The group of angled tabs are electrically common to a part of the pattern which has an extended portion which extends beneath an adjacent photovoltaic device.