Panel Or Array Patents (Class 136/244)
  • Patent number: 10326271
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes: solar cells, or solar cells and at least one capacitor, connected in series between output terminals; an accompanying circuit provided for each of the solar cells, or each of the solar cells and each of the at least one capacitor, the accompanying circuit including an inductor and a switching device arranged in series; and a power generation operating point control device. The solar cells, or the solar cells and the at least one capacitor, are divided into units, of which adjacent units share one of the solar cells or one of the at least one capacitor. The power generation operating point control device is provided for each of the units, and is configured to control connection and disconnection of the switching device so as to optimize power generating capacity of the unit for which the power generation operating point control device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOKYO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shinichi Urabe, Toshihisa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10319869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solar battery including a solar cell (100); a wiring substrate (200) having a wire (109, 110) to be electrically connected to an electrode (106, 107) provided in the solar cell (100); and an adhesive agent for adhering the solar cell (100) and the wiring substrate (200) to each other. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the solar battery, a method for manufacturing a solar cell module using the solar battery, and the solar cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasushi Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 10319868
    Abstract: The physical and chemical properties of surfaces can be controlled by bonding nanoparticles, microspheres, or nanotextures to the surface via inorganic precursors. Surfaces can acquire a variety of desirable properties such as antireflection, antifogging, antifrosting, UV blocking, and IR absorption, while maintaining transparency to visible light. Micro or nanomaterials can also be used as etching masks to texture a surface and control its physical and chemical properties via its micro or nanotexture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NANOCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Harold Frank Greer, Rehan Rashid Kapadia, Ryan Morrow Briggs
  • Patent number: 10312403
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film layers of semiconductor material absorber layers on a substrate web. According to the present teachings, a semiconductor layer may be formed in a multi-zone process whereby various layers are deposited sequentially onto a moving substrate web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Global Solar Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Britt, Scott Wiedeman
  • Patent number: 10312857
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically or remotely rendering a solar array safe during an emergency or maintenance. A watchdog unit is disclosed for monitoring a signal from a central controller. If the signal is lost, interrupted, or becomes irregular, or if a shutdown signal is received, then the watchdog unit can shut down one or more solar modules. Shutting down a solar module can mean disconnecting it from a power bus of the solar array or lowering the solar module voltage to a safe level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hadar, Shmuel Arditi
  • Patent number: 10305055
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device of an embodiment includes: a first photoelectric conversion part including a first transparent electrode, a first organic active layer, and a first counter electrode; and a second photoelectric conversion part including a second transparent electrode, a second organic active layer, and a second counter electrode, which are provided on a transparent substrate. A conductive layer is formed on a partial region, of the second transparent electrode, which is adjacent to the first transparent electrode. The first counter electrode and the second transparent electrode are electrically connected by a connection part including a groove formed from a surface of the second organic active layer to reach an inside of the conductive layer and a part of the first counter electrode filled in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Haruhi Oooka, Hideyuki Nakao
  • Patent number: 10304982
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: INL-INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
    Inventors: Pedro Salomé, Sascha Sadewasser
  • Patent number: 10302333
    Abstract: The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Sunrun South LLC
    Inventor: Greg McPheeters
  • Patent number: 10297395
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell that is excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency, suffers little degradation during encapsulation (initial degradation), has high-humidity durability, and is excellent in temperature cycle resistance. The present invention provides a solar cell including: a laminate having an electrode, a counter electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the electrode and the counter electrode; and an encapsulation material covering the counter electrode to encapsulate the laminate, the photoelectric conversion layer including an organic-inorganic perovskite compound represented by the formula: R-M-X3, R representing an organic molecule, M representing a metal atom, X representing a halogen atom or a chalcogen atom, the encapsulation material including a resin having at least one skeleton selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinobu Hayakawa, Motohiko Asano, Tomohito Uno, Mayumi Horiki, Yuuichirou Fukumoto, Tetsuya Kurebayashi, Shunji Ohara
  • Patent number: 10298053
    Abstract: Techniques for connecting a plurality of solar rechargeable batteries in a planar arrangement or vertical arrangement are disclosed, wherein the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries are electrically connected, wherein each of the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries includes an integrated solar cell and a plurality of interconnections for electrically connecting with the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries in series and in parallel, and wherein the plurality of interconnections include a combination of male and female connectors that allow for electrically connecting the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries in series and in parallel; determining whether the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries are connected in series or in parallel; balancing the load of the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries so that each of the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries is equally charged; and wherein each of the plurality of solar rechargeable batteries can be connected standalone to an elect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SolarLego Inc.
    Inventors: David Chang, Stephen S. Coates
  • Patent number: 10295324
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a measuring unit, an electric component unit and a pin jack. The electric component unit includes a signal processing part. The signal processing part is configured to calculate a measurement data based on a detection signal obtained by the measuring unit. The pin jack is provided in the electric component unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Yuji Fujikawa, Shuji Hayashida, Nobuyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10291123
    Abstract: A module for interconnecting a pair of DC sources or a pair of DC loads into a DC bus includes: a first port for each source or load; a switching cell for each first port, each cell having a pair of terminals and a switching node; a second port operatively connected to the DC bus and having a pair of terminals, one of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of one of the cells and the other of the pair of terminals of the second port being connected to one of the terminals of the other of the cells; and a filter inductor connected between the switching nodes of the cells. Systems including the module and methods utilizing the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Peter Waldemar Lehn, Mike Kavian Ranjram, Yuanzheng Han
  • Patent number: 10290764
    Abstract: A plant and system for the automatic horizontal assembly of photovoltaic panels with front-back-contact solar cells of crystalline silicon, of the type called H-type, the contacting being carried out at a temperature lower than 150° C. also with the pre-fixing of conductive elements onto the encapsulating layer. The plant and system solve the main problems of the conventional stringing systems and provides high production capacity with a precise positioning of the components. The plant is made up of single workstations of the modular type which are arranged sequentially in a linear series, individually equipped according to the specific working process, being adjacent and laterally open to be crossed by the conveying line of the trays containing the panels being worked. After the automatic assembly in the plant, the panels are ready to be rolled in conventional furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: VISMUNDA SRL
    Inventor: Davide Spotti
  • Patent number: 10283662
    Abstract: A solar assembly or module comprising a plurality of solar cells and a support, the support comprising a conductive layer or back plane on each planar side. Each one of the plurality of solar cells is placed on the first conductive portion with the first contact electrically connected to the first conductive portion so that the solar cells are connected in parallel through the first conductive portion. A second contact of each solar cell can be connected to the second conductive portion so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The modules can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series connection of discrete modules by overlapping and bonding the first terminal of a first module with the second terminal of a second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Aiken, Lei Yang, Daniel Derkacs
  • Patent number: 10283661
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising: a first layer; a back layer, wherein the back layer comprises a second layer, a third layer, and a support layer located between the second layer and the third layer; and a photovoltaic layer comprising photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic layer is located between the first layer and the back layer; wherein the support layer comprises a stiffening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Brounne
  • Patent number: 10285254
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment. A method of using the dielectric film can include attaching the dielectric film to a surface of a machine, applying a voltage across electrodes of the dielectric film, and moving the machine based on an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force produced by the dielectric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventor: Subrata Roy
  • Patent number: 10283659
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are generally related to solar panel configurations. In some embodiments, the active surface area of the solar panel is increased compared to traditional flat solar cell arrays. The increase in active surface area may increase solar panel efficiency. For example, in some embodiments, a single light ray may have portions reflected onto a plurality of solar cell surfaces to provide further opportunities for light capture and conversion to electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Jitsen Chang
  • Patent number: 10281090
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising: an elongated laminar substrate having opposed front and back surfaces, one or more electrically-powered light radiation sources, e.g. LED sources, at the front surface of the substrate, a protective encapsulation sealingly encapsulating the substrate and the light radiation source(s), the encapsulation being light-permeable to facilitate propagation of light radiation from the device. The encapsulation includes thermally-conductive material at the back surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Reiss, Roberto Didone', Luigi Pezzato, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 10284139
    Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module or cell similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is maintained clean; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Gostein, William Stueve
  • Patent number: 10277161
    Abstract: There is provided a bracket, comprising: a first portion configured to hold a first solar panel connector of a first solar panel module; a second portion configured to provide a guide along the length of the second portion for a second solar panel connector of a second solar panel module, the first and second portions being configured so that, when first and second solar panel connectors are connected to the bracket, the first and second solar panel modules protrude away from the bracket in different directions; and a third portion connected to said first and second portions and configured for attachment to a roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: VIRIDIAN CONCEPTS LTD.
    Inventors: K. T. Tan, S. A. Elmes
  • Patent number: 10276736
    Abstract: A flexible solar array for a spacecraft or aviation craft including a flexible backing substrate with conductive trace(s) formed thereon; solar cell subassemblies disposed over the flexible backing substrate, each of the solar cell subassemblies at least including a solar cell; and an adhesive layer interposed between the solar cell subassemblies and the flexible backing substrate, with the solar cell attached to the flexible backing substrate. The adhesive layer includes openings for exposing the corresponding conductive traces so that the exposed metal traces are adaptable to interconnect the solar cells of the respective adjacent solar cell subassemblies through the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Benjamin Cho, Dwight Hazlett, Cory Tourino, Brian Guzie
  • Patent number: 10269969
    Abstract: An embodiment is a structure comprising a substrate, a high energy bandgap material, and a high carrier mobility material. The substrate comprises a first isolation region and a second isolation region. Each of first and second isolation regions extends below a first surface of the substrate between the first and second isolation regions. The high energy bandgap material is over the first surface of the substrate and is disposed between the first and second isolation regions. The high carrier mobility material is over the high energy bandgap material. The high carrier mobility material extends higher than respective top surfaces of the first and second isolation regions to form a fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Wu, Chih-Hsin Ko, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 10270382
    Abstract: The present invention provides a panel. The panel includes an upper transverse edge having an upper overlap area intended to be covered by an adjacent panel and a lower transverse edge having a lower overlap area intended to covered by an adjacent panel. The panel also includes a first longitudinal edge having a first longitudinal rib, a central part, extending from the first longitudinal rib, having a recess located in the upper overlap area which has an opening for flush mounting an electrical junction box and a perforation located in the lower overlap area for passing through an electrical connector. The panel further includes a second longitudinal edge extending from the central part and having a second longitudinal rib. The first longitudinal rib and the second longitudinal rib have shapes enabling them to overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal
    Inventors: Renaud Vignal, Laurent Geron, Paul Wouters
  • Patent number: 10263130
    Abstract: Assembly method for backsheet for photovoltaic panels with conductive interface elements intended to simplify the electrical connection of the terminal points of the circuit to the back junction box. The conductive elements are of the non-through type through the backsheet, with double contacting face, and are integrated on the front side towards the cells within recessed seats and in correspondence of through-holes in such a way as to enable an electrical connection by contact from the back side through the holes, in a guided way, by means of respective conductive elements protruding and fastened to the junction box. In particular, such a simplified contacting solution can be realized with extreme precision, without manual operations and at extremely low costs, with an automated assembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VISMUNDA SRL
    Inventors: Elisa Baccini, Stefano Scolari
  • Patent number: 10263428
    Abstract: In a power conversion apparatus that has adopted a DC-linkage system, the connection to a load is switched depending on the output characteristics of the power-supply device, to thereby flexibly operate power supply from each power source. The disclosed power conversion apparatus includes: a plurality of connection terminals for connecting the DC power-supply devices; a plurality of voltage transducers connected in series to the plurality of connection terminals; a plurality of DC power output lines electrically independent from one another; a switch for selectively connecting the plurality of voltage transducers and the plurality of DC power output lines with each other; and a controller for controlling the switch, according to the operating state of at least either the plurality of DC power-supply devices or loads connected to the plurality of DC power output lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Takanobu Nishigai
  • Patent number: 10263131
    Abstract: A solar assembly or module comprising a plurality of solar cells and a support, the support comprising a conductive layer or back plane on each planar side. Each one of the plurality of solar cells is placed on the first conductive portion with the first contact electrically connected to the first conductive portion so that the solar cells are connected in parallel through the first conductive portion. A second contact of each solar cell can be connected to the second conductive portion so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The modules can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series connection of discrete modules by overlapping and bonding the first terminal of a first module with the second terminal of a second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Aiken, Lei Yang, Daniel Derkacs
  • Patent number: 10256767
    Abstract: A modular mounting system for securing a photovoltaic (PV) panel to support structure and a solar array. The mounting system and method configured for flat and pitched surfaces with a minimum of components parts reducing manufacturing and installation costs. The mounting system and method in a rack mount embodiment comprises a base assembly and an elevation assembly each connecting a PV panel via a top plate and mid-clamp assembly. The mounting systems in a rail mount embodiment, the mid-clamp assembly and an end assembly are utilized to ground and secure the PV panel to the rail mount and support structure. The modular mounting system provides a ballast pan, connecting belts for connecting each base bracket to the ballast pan and each other adding rigidity to the system. The modular mounting system provides a reduction in the seismic plates utilized prevent lateral displacement from seismic activity and other environmental factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ORION SOLAR RACKING, INC.
    Inventors: Bob Sinai, Cael Schwartzman, Isaiah G. Contreras
  • Patent number: 10255393
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimally placing photovoltaic arrays to maximize a value of energy production. Incident solar radiation for various placements of the photovoltaic arrays accommodating different azimuths and tilts is calculated. Alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power production is then estimated from the calculated solar radiation on a plane and weather data. Furthermore, a value of solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power produced by the photovoltaic arrays for the various placements is calculating using the estimated alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity production. A placement out of the various placements for the photovoltaic arrays is then selected corresponding to a highest value of the solar photovoltaic electricity produced by the photovoltaic arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Michael E. Webber, Joshua D. Rhodes, Charles R. Upshaw
  • Patent number: 10256356
    Abstract: Solar thin film modules are provided with reduced lateral dimensions of isolation trenches and contact trenches, which provide for a series connection of the individual solar cells. To this end lithography and etch techniques are applied to pattern the individual material layers, thereby reducing parasitic shunt leakages compared to conventional laser scribing techniques. In particular, there may be series connected solar cells formed on a flexible substrate material that are highly efficient in indoor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marina Foti, Noemi Graziana Sparta′, Salvatore Lombardo, Silvestra DiMarco, Sebastiano Ravesi, Cosimo Gerardi
  • Patent number: 10249770
    Abstract: The solar cell module according to the present invention includes: a supporting substrate; a back electrode layer arranged on the supporting substrate; a light absorbing layer arranged on the back electrode layer; a front electrode layer arranged on the light absorbing layer; and a bus bar arranged to be in contact with the top and side surfaces of the back electrode layer. In the solar cell according to an embodiment, the bus bar is arranged to be in contact with the top and side surfaces of the back electrode layer, which enables charge transfer both in the direction of the top surface and in the direction of the side surface, thereby facilitating the transfer of charge moving on the back electrode layer in the direction of the bus bar. Accordingly, the solar cell module according to an embodiment can increase the amount of charge transfer from the back electrode layer to the bus bar, thereby improving the efficiency of the solar cell module overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myoung Seok Sung
  • Patent number: 10249774
    Abstract: A conductive paste for forming solar cell electrodes that obtains favorable electrical characteristics and sufficient adhesion strength to a substrate. The conductive paste for forming a solar cell electrode includes the following: a tellurium-based glass frit containing 30-70 mol % of tellurium, 15-40 mol % of tungsten, 5-30 mol % of zinc, 0-20 mol % of boron, and 0-10 mol % of zirconium (where a total content of boron and zirconium is greater than 0 mol %) in terms of oxides; a conductive powder having silver as a main component and specific surface area of 0.4 m2/g or more; and an organic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHOEI CHEMICAL INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kanasaku, Kousuke Nishimura, Masayuki Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 10249772
    Abstract: A solar cell having an electrical modulating stack layer is provided. The solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first electrical modulating stack layer is disposed on the first electrode, wherein the first electrical modulating stack layer includes at least one positively charged layer and at least one negatively charged layer or the first electrical modulating layer includes a first surface modification layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Lee-May Huang, Wen-Bin Bai
  • Patent number: 10243513
    Abstract: The measuring device determines the luminous intensity received by a photovoltaic cell electrically connected at output to an electrical energy storage unit via a DC-DC converter and to an external capacitor arranged in parallel to the DC-DC converter. It includes: a variable resistor arranged between an input terminal and an earth terminal; a control unit arranged to vary the value of the variable resistor within a plurality of determined resistance values; a discharge unit for the external capacitor controlled by the control unit so as to discharge said external capacitor to a reference voltage; and a photovoltaic cell voltage change detector which is arranged to be capable of determining, when a measurement is made, whether the voltage at said input terminal increases or decreases between two instants separated by a given time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Jerome Saby, Yves Theoduloz, Cyril Marti
  • Patent number: 10236403
    Abstract: A solar cell module can include a plurality of solar cell strings, which include first and second solar cell strings including a first and second plurality of solar cells electrically connected in the first direction, respectively, and parallel to each other, first conductive wires connect a first electrode of a first solar cell to a second electrode of a second solar cell neighboring the first solar cell in the first direction within each of the solar cells, the first and second solar cell strings are electrically connected by a second conductive wire connecting a first electrode of a third solar cell located at a first end of the first solar cell string and a second electrode of a fourth solar cell located at a first end of the second solar cell string, and the second conductive wire is between the third solar cell and the fourth solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Daehee Jang
  • Patent number: 10230013
    Abstract: A solar cell module is discussed, and the solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including an electron current collector and an hole current collector on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate and a connection member for connecting an electron current collector of one of two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells to a hole current collector of the other of the two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells. The connection member includes a printed circuit film including an insulating film and a conductive pattern disposed on the insulating film and a conductive adhesive for attaching the conductive pattern to the electron current collector and the hole current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bojoong Kim, Daehee Jang, Taeyoon Kim, Minpyo Kim, Hyeyoung Yang
  • Patent number: 10229952
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic device and a method for forming the photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device comprises a first solar cell structure having a photon absorbing layer comprising an organic material having a first bandgap; and a second solar cell structure having a photon absorbing layer comprising a material that has a Perovskite structure and having a second bandgap. The first and second solar cell structures are positioned at least partially onto each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: NEWSOUTH INNOVATIONS PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ashraf Uddin
  • Patent number: 10224446
    Abstract: Backsheet for photovoltaic panels with conductive interface elements intended to simplify the electrical connection of the terminal points of the circuit to the back junction box. The conductive elements are of the non-through type through the backsheet, with double contacting face, and are integrated on the front side towards the cells within recessed seats and in correspondence of through-holes in such a way as to enable an electrical connection by contact from the back side through the holes, in a guided way, by means of respective conductive elements protruding and fastened to the junction box. In particular, such a simplified contacting solution can be realized with extreme precision, without manual operations and at extremely low costs, with an automated assembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: VISMUNDA SRL
    Inventors: Elisa Baccini, Stefano Scolari
  • Patent number: 10224439
    Abstract: In the solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells interconnected with wiring members, each of the solar cells includes a plurality of front-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a light-receiving surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs and a plurality of rear-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a rear surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs. Rear-side auxiliary electrode sections are arranged in regions, which is wider than the front-side finger electrodes, on the rear surface opposite to regions where the front-side finger electrodes are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Taira, Yukihiro Yoshimine, Hiroyuki Kannou, Tomonori Tabe
  • Patent number: 10224856
    Abstract: A drive system may have at least one electric motor which can be fed via power electronics which can be connected via a DC circuit to a voltage source and an energy storage apparatus for buffering energy fed back from the electric motor. An energy storage apparatus for such a drive system may include at least one electrical storage block, a bidirectional DC/DC converter for connecting the named DC voltage circuit to the internal voltage circuit of the storage block and a control unit for controlling the DC/DC converter. The control unit may include output and feed control means for controlling the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter, the storage block and the control unit may be combined into an energy storage unit having a common housing in which the named components are received and at whose outer side two connections are provided for connecting to the DC voltage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schuster, Oliver Fenker, Sven Welser
  • Patent number: 10217880
    Abstract: Voltage breakdown devices for solar cells are described. For example, a solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contacts is coupled to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. A voltage breakdown device is disposed above the substrate. The voltage breakdown device includes one of the plurality of conductive contacts in electrical contact with one of the N-type semiconductor regions and with one of the P-type semiconductor regions of the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Peter John Cousins
  • Patent number: 10218308
    Abstract: A photovoltaic junction box comprises a box body formed of a single integrally-molded part having a housing portion defining a receiving chamber and a packaging portion having a first packaging portion located inside the receiving chamber and a second packaging portion located outside the receiving chamber, a plurality of conductive terminals positioned along the box body and at least one diode chip disposed in a portion of the box body outside of the receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Holdings (Bermuda) No. 7 Limited, Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih Ying Ko, Yuan Zhong, Zhenhua Zhang
  • Patent number: 10211356
    Abstract: Flexible interconnects for attaching overlapping strings that can be part of a photovoltaic module. The interconnects can absorb strain caused by non-uniform heating and other loads encountered by the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Atchley
  • Patent number: 10202689
    Abstract: A laminate (10) includes: a first substrate (11); an atomic layer deposition film (12) that is an inorganic oxide layer disposed on a first surface (11a) of the first substrate; a second substrate (14) disposed on one surface of the atomic layer deposition film; and a first adhesive layer (13) disposed between the atomic layer deposition film and the second substrate for adhering the atomic layer deposition film to the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Horiike, Jin Sato, Nao Takashima
  • Patent number: 10205039
    Abstract: A solar panel includes a protection plate, a back cover, photovoltaic battery cells, a conductive member that electrically connects the photovoltaic battery cells to one another, and an encapsulant that is integrated with and located between the protection plate and the back cover. The encapsulant encapsulates the photovoltaic battery cells and the conductive member and fixes the photovoltaic battery cells and the conductive member to the protection plate and the back cover. The protection plate includes a resin transparent member, which is translucent from a front surface to a rear surface, and a resin opaque member, which is located at an outer side of each of the photovoltaic battery cells, shields the conductive member, and is arranged on the rear surface of the transparent member and integrated with the transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Mitsuzawa, Kazumasa Okumura, Hirotaka Inaba
  • Patent number: 10205110
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes: a substrate having an element formation surface; a first electrode provided on the element formation surface and extending along one direction of the element formation surface up to an end portion of the element formation surface; a photoelectric conversion layer provided above the first electrode and including a first region having a first thickness and a second region extending from an end portion of the first region up to an end portion of the first electrode and having a second thickness larger than the first thickness; and a second electrode provided above the first and second regions and extending up to an end portion of the photoelectric conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Haruhi Oooka, Hideyuki Nakao
  • Patent number: 10193494
    Abstract: A glass roof system includes a first glass layer, a photovoltaic module, a switching film powered by the photovoltaic module, and a control module configured to selectively control the switching film based on a passenger cabin temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Nania, Jacob Mathews, Daniel Boston
  • Patent number: 10193007
    Abstract: This solar cell module includes a solar cell and a wiring member. The solar cell includes a collecting electrode on a light-receiving side of a photoelectric conversion section, and a back electrode on a back side of the photoelectric conversion section. Sequentially from the photoelectric conversion section side, the collecting electrode includes a first collecting electrode and a second collecting electrode, and the back electrode comprises a first back electrode and a second back electrode. It is preferable that the surface roughness Ra1 of the first collecting electrode and the surface roughness Ra2 of the second collecting electrode satisfy Ra1?Ra2 and Ra2=1.0 to 10.0 ?m. It is also preferable that the outermost layer of the second collecting electrode and the outermost layer of the second back electrode are mainly composed of the same electroconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Terashita, Daisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 10193087
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute
  • Patent number: 10193003
    Abstract: A solar cell unit comprises a cell. The cell includes a cell substrate and a plurality of secondary grid lines disposed on a front surface of the cell substrate. The secondary grid lines comprises an edge secondary grid line adjacent to an edge of the cell substrate and a middle secondary grid line disposed inside of the edge secondary grid line. The secondary grid line comprises a welding portion. At least one welding portion of the edge secondary grid line has a projection area in the cell substrate larger than a welding portion of the middle secondary grid line. The solar cell unit also comprises a plurality of conductive wires spaced apart from each other and welded with the secondary grid lines in the welding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Zhanfeng Jiang, Long He
  • Patent number: 10189549
    Abstract: There is provided a renewable power generation farm for fishing work, the farm comprising: a plurality of mutually connected floating ships, wherein each ship is configured to generate an energy using solar and wind power, wherein each ship comprises: a main elongate floating structure; a wind-based energy generation device secured to the main elongate floating structure; a transverse beam extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the main structure; a longitudinal beam extending in a parallel manner to the longitudinal direction of the main structure; connection beams connecting both opposing ends of the transverse beam and both opposing ends of the longitudinal beam respectively; auxiliary pillars vertically extending through the both ends of the transverse beam and the longitudinal beam respectively; solar-based energy generation devices disposed at top ends of the auxiliary pillars respectively; and auxiliary elongate floating structures disposed at bottom ends of the auxiliary pillars pass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Seunggi Min, Junggi Min