Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves
Granted: June 3, 2014
Patent Number:
8744791
A photovoltaic system includes multiple strings of solar panels and a device presenting a DC load to the strings of solar panels. Output currents of the strings of solar panels may be sensed and provided to a computer that generates current-voltage (IV) curves of the strings of solar panels. Output voltages of the string of solar panels may be sensed at the string or at the device presenting the DC load. The DC load may be varied. Output currents of the strings of solar panels responsive…
Solar cell having silicon nano-particle emitter
Granted: May 6, 2014
Patent Number:
8716596
A silicon solar cell having a silicon substrate includes p-type and n-type emitters on a surface of the substrate, the emitters being doped nano-particles of silicon. To reduce high interface recombination at the substrate surface, the nano-particle emitters are preferably formed over a thin interfacial tunnel oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.
Automated solar collector installation design including ability to define heterogeneous design preferences
Granted: April 29, 2014
Patent Number:
8712745
Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre -defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described…
Method of fabricating a solar cell with a tunnel dielectric layer
Granted: April 29, 2014
Patent Number:
8709851
Methods of fabricating solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are described. Solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are also described.
High throughput laser ablation processes and structures for forming contact holes in solar cells
Granted: April 8, 2014
Patent Number:
8692111
Contact holes of solar cells are formed by laser ablation to accommodate various solar cell designs. Throughput of the solar cell ablation process is improved by incorporating linear base diffusion regions with narrow width, for example as compared to an overlying metal contact. Throughput of the solar cell ablation process may also be improved by having contact holes to base diffusion regions that are perpendicular to contact holes to emitter diffusion regions. To allow for continuous…
Mounting system for solar module array
Granted: April 1, 2014
Patent Number:
8683761
A mounting system for a solar array can include a plurality of couplers that are designed to engage and disengage all modules without the use of rails that are greater than the maximum dimension of a solar module. The couplers can be configured to cooperate with height adjuster mechanisms. Additionally, the couplers can be configured to accommodate the engagement and disengagement of solar modules without the need to loosen or remove fasteners, for example, through a hook and tilt…
Hybrid polysilicon heterojunction back contact cell
Granted: March 25, 2014
Patent Number:
8679889
A method for manufacturing high efficiency solar cells is disclosed. The method comprises providing a thin dielectric layer and a doped polysilicon layer on the back side of a silicon substrate. Subsequently, a high quality oxide layer and a wide band gap doped semiconductor layer can both be formed on the back and front sides of the silicon substrate. A metallization process to plate metal fingers onto the doped polysilicon layer through contact openings can then be performed. The…
Trench process and structure for backside contact solar cells with polysilicon doped regions
Granted: March 18, 2014
Patent Number:
8673673
A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. An interrupted trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region in some locations but allows the P-type doped region and the N-type doped region to touch in other locations. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. Among other advantages, the resulting solar cell structure allows for…
Edge coating apparatus for solar cell substrates
Granted: March 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8662008
A non-contact edge coating apparatus applies coating material to an edge of a non-circular solar cell substrate without physical contact. The apparatus may include a rotatable substrate support configured to hold the substrate. The apparatus may further include an applicator configured to receive a coating material and apply the coating material to an edge of the substrate while the substrate is rotated without any portion of the applicator physically touching the edge of the substrate.…
Solar cell with reduced base diffusion area
Granted: March 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8664519
In one embodiment, a solar cell has base and emitter diffusion regions formed on the back side. The emitter diffusion region is configured to collect minority charge carriers in the solar cell, while the base diffusion region is configured to collect majority charge carriers. The emitter diffusion region may be a continuous region separating the base diffusion regions. Each of the base diffusion regions may have a reduced area to decrease minority charge carrier recombination losses…
Water-resistant apparatuses for photovoltaic modules
Granted: March 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8661753
A water-resistant apparatus is provided. This water-resistant apparatus is positioned near a photovoltaic module. The water-resistant apparatus includes hollow, elongated conduits, and each conduit can hold water with surface tension based on exposure of the conduit to water. The surface tension causes a formation of a meniscus that inhibits a flow of water through the conduit.
Method of fabricating a solar cell
Granted: February 25, 2014
Patent Number:
8658454
Methods of fabricating solar cells are described. A porous layer may be formed on a surface of a substrate, the porous layer including a plurality of particles and a plurality of voids. A solution may be dispensed into one or more regions of the porous layer to provide a patterned composite layer. The substrate may then be heated.
Rooftop module interlock system
Granted: February 25, 2014
Patent Number:
8656660
An interlocking system for photovoltaic and other roof-mounted panels is disclosed. One use is for a photovoltaic module which comprises a photovoltaic laminate. The laminate has an upper side which faces the sun during normal operation, and a lower side. The module also comprises a base coupled to the lower side of the photovoltaic laminate. The base also has an outer perimeter and comprises a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first engagement site comprises a…
Photovoltaic module with removable wind deflector
Granted: February 18, 2014
Patent Number:
8650813
A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module, a deflector, and a clip. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes a support arm forming a seat. The deflector defines a front face and a rear face, with the clip extending from either the trailing frame member or the rear face of the deflector. In a mounted state, the deflector is nested within the seat and is releasably mounted to the trailing frame member…
Backside contact solar cell with formed polysilicon doped regions
Granted: February 11, 2014
Patent Number:
8647911
A solar cell includes abutting P-type and N-type doped regions in a contiguous portion of a polysilicon layer. The polysilicon layer may be formed on a thin dielectric layer, which is formed on a backside of a solar cell substrate (e.g., silicon wafer). The polysilicon layer has a relatively large average grain size to reduce or eliminate recombination in a space charge region between the P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby increasing efficiency.
Methods and structures for forming and improving solder joint thickness and planarity control features for solar cells
Granted: January 28, 2014
Patent Number:
8636198
A method for connecting a plurality of solar cells and an improved interconnect is disclosed. The method includes aligning an interconnect to a plurality of solar cells having solder pads, where the interconnect has a main body and tabs extending therefrom, and where each of the tabs has a downward depression, such that the tabs are positioned above the solder pads in between solar cells and pinning the interconnect against a work surface by pressing a hold down pin against the main body…
Circuits and methods for limiting open circuit voltage of photovoltaic strings
Granted: January 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8630077
A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the…
Photovoltaic system with managed output and method of managing variability of output from a photovoltaic system
Granted: January 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8629383
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…
Chucks for supporting solar cell in hot spot testing
Granted: January 7, 2014
Patent Number:
8624621
In an embodiment, a chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing is provided. This embodiment of the chuck comprises a base portion and a support portion disposed above the base portion. The support portion is configured to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a cavity between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion.
Photovoltaic module kit including connector assembly for non-penetrating array installation
Granted: December 31, 2013
Patent Number:
8615941
A PV module kit for non-penetrating rooftop installation, including a plurality of PV modules and a plurality of connectors. Each of the PV modules includes a PV laminate and a frame forming a mounting region assembled thereto. The connectors include a male connector having a male fastener extending from a head, and a female connector having a female fastener assembled within a head. The heads are entirely formed of plastic. The kit provides a mounted array state including a junction at…
