Trench process and structure for backside contact solar cells with polysilicon doped regions
Granted: September 6, 2016
Patent Number:
9437763
A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. The trench structure may include a textured surface for increased solar radiation collection. Among other advantages, the resulting structure increases efficiency by providing isolation between…
In-cell bypass diode
Granted: August 23, 2016
Patent Number:
9425337
A solar cell can include a built-in bypass diode. In one embodiment, the solar cell can include an active region disposed in or above a first portion of a substrate and a bypass diode disposed in or above a second portion of the substrate. The first and second portions of the substrate can be physically separated with a groove. A metallization structure can couple the active region to the bypass diode.
Testing of module integrated electronics using power reversal
Granted: August 23, 2016
Patent Number:
9423448
A method for testing a photovoltaic (PV) module includes applying a test sequence to the integrated power converter, reversing the integrated power converter in response to the test sequence, and obtaining test results from the PV module in response to the test sequence. The test sequence may include applying reverse excitation power to output terminals of the reversible integrated power converter. The reverse excitation power may provide bootstrap power to one or more components of the…
Power-line communication coupling
Granted: August 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9419438
In some embodiments, a system includes a power system coupled to a power bus, and a power line communication (PLC) gateway coupled in series with the power bus. In other embodiments, a system includes first and second power circuits coupled in series with a power bus, and first and second power-line communication circuits coupled in series with the power bus. In additional embodiments, a system includes a power converter coupled to a power bus and having one or more switching…
Etching processes for solar cell fabrication
Granted: August 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9419166
A method of fabricating a solar cell can include forming a first dopant region over a silicon substrate and an oxide region over the first dopant region. In an embodiment, the oxide region can protect the first dopant region from a first etching process. In an embodiment, a second dopant region can be formed over the silicon substrate, where a mask can be formed to protect a first portion of the second dopant region from the first etching process. In an embodiment, the first etching…
End clamps for solar systems
Granted: August 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9416992
A solar power system can include an array of solar modules. The system can include a rail and a solar module positioned at an outer end of the array. The solar module can have a frame around a periphery of the solar module. The frame can include a flange along an edge of the solar module that is disposed at the outer end of the array. The flange can project inwardly from the frame underneath the solar module. A clamp assembly can be disposed underneath the solar module and can…
Photovoltaic system with managed output and method of managing variability of output from a photovoltaic system
Granted: August 9, 2016
Patent Number:
9413288
Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to…
Leveler for solar module array
Granted: August 9, 2016
Patent Number:
9413286
A leveler for a solar module can include a base, a rotatable adjuster, and a follower. The rotatable adjuster can be mounted to the base with a swaging process, or other techniques. The follower can be embedded within a coupler configured to be connectable to solar modules. Turning the rotatable height adjuster changes the relative spacing between the solar module and the base.
Maintainable substrate carrier for electroplating
Granted: August 2, 2016
Patent Number:
RE46088
One embodiment relates to a substrate carrier for use in electroplating a plurality of substrates. The carrier includes a non-conductive carrier body on which the substrates are placed and conductive lines embedded within the carrier body. A plurality of conductive clip attachment parts are attached in a permanent manner to the conductive lines embedded within the carrier body. A plurality of contact clips are attached in a removable manner to the clip attachment parts. The contact clips…
Method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell and device thereof
Granted: August 2, 2016
Patent Number:
9406821
Methods of fabricating back-contact solar cells and devices thereof are described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming an N-type dopant source layer and a P-type dopant source layer above a material layer disposed above a substrate. The N-type dopant source layer is spaced apart from the P-type dopant source layer. The N-type dopant source layer and the P-type dopant source layer are heated. Subsequently, a trench is formed in the material layer, between…
Shingled solar cell module
Granted: July 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9401451
A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.
Solar cell emitter region fabrication using ion implantation
Granted: July 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9401450
Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions using ion implantation, and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a method of fabricating alternating N-type and P-type emitter regions of a solar cell involves forming a silicon layer above a substrate. Dopant impurity atoms of a first conductivity type are implanted, through a first shadow mask, in the silicon layer to form first implanted regions and resulting in non-implanted regions of the silicon layer. Dopant…
Photovoltaic systems with local maximum power point tracking prevention and methods for operating same
Granted: July 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9397611
A photovoltaic system includes solar cells and an inverter configured to convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point (MPP) tracking module configured to perform MPP tracking for the photovoltaic system. The MPP tracking module is configured to detect shading of the solar cells and to modify its MPP tracking to prevent tracking of local MPPs. The MPP tracking module may be incorporated in the inverter.
Shingled solar cell module
Granted: July 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9397252
A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.
Solar glass angle of incidence reflectance
Granted: July 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9395351
Reflectance measurements indicative of light reflecting relative to solar module glass can be received. It can be determined whether the reflectance measurements are within tolerance for the solar module glass.
Integrated torque coupling and mount
Granted: July 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9395104
A sun tracking solar energy collection system can include torque tubes formed with a plurality of rotatable shafts connected to each other in an end to end fashion. The ends of the shafts can be connected with coupling devices in the form of an integrated coupling flange and mounting devices. The coupling flange can include a mounting surface that extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. Additionally, the coupling flange can include a coupling face that extends…
Control techniques for photovoltaic power plants
Granted: June 21, 2016
Patent Number:
9373958
A photovoltaic power plant includes solar cells and inverters that convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The reactive powers generated by the inverters are based on a reactive power generated by a virtual inverter. The virtual inverter has an equivalent impedance representing the impedances of the inverters in the photovoltaic power plant. The reactive power setpoints of the inverters may be received from a local interpreter. The local interpreter…
Metallization of solar cells
Granted: June 7, 2016
Patent Number:
9362427
Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method…
Drive with integrated inclination sensor
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9353970
A drive can include a positional sensor within an outer housing of the drive so as to provide an output indicative of a position of the drive. The positional sensor can be an inclinometer. The inclinometer can be used for feedback control of an inclination of the drive. The drive can further include control electronics within the same housing, so as to provide feedback control of a motor of the drive. The control electronics can include an input for receiving a requested inclination and…
Concentrating photovoltaic-thermal solar energy collector
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9353973
Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide electricity or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein. Examples of solar energy receivers are disclosed that may be used to collect concentrated solar radiation.
