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 roof deck having a slope of 0.25 inch to 3 inches per foot and a roofing membrane is composed of a first material, and at least one photovoltaic module installed on the roof deck. The photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The backsheet includes a head flap located at a first end of the backsheet, and a bottom flap located at a second end of the backsheet. The backsheet is composed of the first material. At least a first portion of the head flap is attached to the roofing membrane, and at least a second portion of the bottom flap is attached to the roofing membrane.

Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of photovoltaic modules and a plurality of roofing shingles installed on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a plurality of solar cells. Each of the plurality of roofing shingles includes a core layer and a cap layer composed of a first polymer material and having a first surface and a pattern printed on the first surface. The pattern includes a depiction of a plurality of solar cells that extends between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of roofing modules and a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The roofing modules include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first surface that is textured. The roofing modules are configured to be installed on the roof deck of a structure proximate to the photovoltaic modules. An appearance of the roofing modules aesthetically matches an appearance of the photovoltaic modules when viewed from a vantage point located at a ground level of the structure.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a mat with an edge and a spacer with an edge, the edge of the mat being attached to the edge of the spacer. The spacer includes a plurality of support members and a solar module mounted to the support members. Each of the support members includes a ledge. The solar module and the ledge form a space therebetween. The space is sized and shaped to receive an edge of a solar module of another of the photovoltaic modules. The spacer of one of the photovoltaic modules overlays the mat of another of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a head lap and at least one solar cell. The head lap includes at least one handle located between a first end and a second end of the shingle and proximate to a first edge thereof. The at least one handle includes at least one cutout and a gripping portion. The at least one cutout is sized and shaped to receive an external object to facilitate transporting the shingle by a user.

Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A cable passthrough includes a first layer having a first edge and an aperture, and a second layer overlapping the first layer. The passthrough is configured to be installed on a roof deck, such that the aperture is configured to align with an aperture formed within the roof deck. The passthrough is configured to receive at least one cable having a first end and a second end. The second end of the cable is capable of extending outwardly from the first edge of the first layer and the first edge of the second layer of the passthrough. The cable is configured to be positioned intermediate the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating solar cell, solar laminate and/or solar module string is provided. The method may include: locating a metal foil over a plurality of semiconductor substrates; exposing the metal foil to laser beam over selected portions of the plurality of semiconductor substrates, wherein exposing the metal foil to the laser beam forms a plurality conductive contact structures having of locally deposited metal portion electrically connecting the metal foil to the semiconductor substrates at the selected portions; and selectively removing portions of the metal foil, wherein remaining portions of the metal foil extend between at least two of the plurality of semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A roll, comprising: a laminate, comprising: a plurality of solar cells, wherein the plurality of solar cells comprises: a first solar cell, a second solar cell, and a third solar cell, wherein the first solar cell and the second solar cell are separated in a first direction by a first distance, wherein the second solar cell and the third solar cell are separated in the first direction by the first distance, and wherein each of the first, second, and third solar cells comprises: a width in the first direction, and a length in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; a first encapsulant, wherein the first encapsulant encapsulates the plurality of solar cells, and wherein the first encapsulant includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a frontsheet, wherein the frontsheet includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface of the frontsheet, wherein the second surface of the frontsheet is adjacent the first surfa

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: This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a mat with an edge and a spacer with an edge, the edge of the mat being attached to the edge of the spacer. The spacer includes a plurality of support members and a solar module mounted to the support members. Each of the support members includes a ledge. The solar module and the ledge form a space therebetween. The space is sized and shaped to receive an edge of a solar module of another of the photovoltaic modules. The spacer of one of the photovoltaic modules overlays the mat of another of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A system includes a roof deck having a slope of 0.25 inch to 3 inches per foot and a roofing membrane is composed of a first material, and at least one photovoltaic module installed on the roof deck. The photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The backsheet includes a head flap located at a first end of the backsheet, and a bottom flap located at a second end of the backsheet. The backsheet is composed of the first material. At least a first portion of the head flap is attached to the roofing membrane, and at least a second portion of the bottom flap is attached to the roofing membrane.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a head lap and at least one solar cell. The head lap includes at least one handle located between a first end and a second end of the shingle and proximate to a first edge thereof. The at least one handle includes at least one cutout and a gripping portion. The at least one cutout is sized and shaped to receive an external object to facilitate transporting the shingle by a user.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module having a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being juxtaposed with a lower surface of the superstrate layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. A first portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant includes a first light scattering value as measured in accordance with an ASTM E430 standard, and a second portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant has a second light scattering value as measured in accordance with the ASTM E430 standard. The second light scattering value is greater than the first light scattering value.

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 roofing shingles installed on a roof deck. Each of the roofing shingles includes first and second ends, first and second edges, a head lap, a reveal portion, a first side lap at the first end, and a second side lap at the second end. The second side lap includes a first surface, which has an adhesive. The first side lap of a first one of the roofing shingles overlays and is attached to the second side lap of a second one of the roofing shingles to form a sealed portion between the head lap of the first one of the roofing shingles and the head lap of the second one of the roofing shingles.

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.