Global Solar Energy, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140213013 | PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERCONNECT SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS - Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series by a substantially transparent top sheet having an embedded conductive wire grid pattern. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. | 07-31-2014 |
20140196769 | MOUNTING STRUCTURES FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - Mounting systems for PV modules and assemblies of modules, including apparatus and methods of use. The disclosed systems generally involve mounting a flexible photovoltaic module in a slight arch, bending it with a large radius around one axis of the module. | 07-17-2014 |
20140174349 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF MIXING AND DEPOSITING THIN FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPOSITIONS - 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. At least one layer is deposited from a mixed gallium indium source. | 06-26-2014 |
20140170798 | INTEGRATED THIN FILM SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECTION - Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series, and laminated to a substantially transparent top sheet having a conductive grid pattern facing the cells. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. Methods may include steps of coordinating, integrating, and registering multiple rolls of substrates in continuous processes. | 06-19-2014 |
20140137928 | LAMINATED SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM - Thin film photovoltaic cells and strings of cells may be electrically joined in series. More specifically, electrical contacts between photovoltaic cells may be formed by positioning the cells between a pair of interconnection substrates, each of which includes a conductive grid. By positioning the cells appropriately between the substrates, an electrical connection is formed between one polarity of a given cell and the opposite polarity of an adjacent cell. | 05-22-2014 |
20140099750 | SOLUTION CONTAINMENT DURING BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. Solutions containing the reactants for the chalcogenide layer may be contained substantially to the front surface of the web, controlling the boundaries of the reaction and avoiding undesired deposition of chalcogenide upon the back side of the web. | 04-10-2014 |
20130269748 | INTEGRATED THIN FILM SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECTION - Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series, and laminated to a substantially transparent top sheet having a conductive grid pattern facing the cells. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. Methods may include steps of coordinating, integrating, and registering multiple rolls of substrates in continuous processes. | 10-17-2013 |
20130037074 | THIN FILM SOLAR CELL STRING - Thin film PV cells and strings of such cells that may be electrically joined with conductive tabs or ribbons. A semi-flexible, electrically conductive adhesive is applied to join the tabs to the front and back of a cell, providing a conductive pathway between the tab and solar cell, with good adhesion to both. The tabs may be constructed of one or more materials having a thermal expansion coefficient that closely matches that of the substrate material of the cells, so that when the string or module is subsequently heated, mechanical stress between the tab and solar cell is minimized. The semi-flexible nature of the ECA also acts to relieve stress between the tab and the solar cell, decreasing the possibility of adhesion failure at critical locations. One or more dielectric materials may be applied to the PV cells and/or the tabs in regions where a tab crosses the edge of a cell, to avoid electrical shorting between the negative and positive electrodes of the cell. | 02-14-2013 |
20120222725 | FLEXIBLE BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC STRUCTURE - Improved BIPV materials configured to meet various long-term requirements including, among others, a high degree of water resistance, physical durability, electrical durability, and an ability to withstand variations in temperature and other environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosed BIPV materials include modules wherein two or more layers of the module are configured to be joined together during lamination to protect edge portions of the top sheet and/or back sheet of the module, such as in the vicinity of any multi-layer vapor barrier structure(s) of the module. | 09-06-2012 |
20120192941 | BARRIER AND PLANARIZATION LAYER FOR THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL - Thin film photovoltaic cells and methods of manufacturing such cells that include one or more diffusion barrier layers configured to provide a relatively smooth growth surface for subsequent deposition of a p-type semiconductor layer. Diffusion barrier layers according to the present teachings may be amorphous, microcrystalline or nanocrystalline layers of materials including molybdenum, conductive oxides, conductive nitrides, conductive carbides, or mixtures thereof. In some cases a diffusion barrier layer may be configured to have surface roughness less than a predetermined threshold value. | 08-02-2012 |
20120152325 | JUNCTION BOX ATTACHMENT TO SOLAR MODULE LAMINATE - A multi-layer photovoltaic module including an integrated junction box base plate. A portion of the top layer of the module may be removed to form an aperture, within which the base plate may be disposed. Terminal connections of a string of photovoltaic cells may be exposed within the aperture, so that a base plate having an access opening allows electrical connections with the string when placed within the aperture. The base plate may be placed within the encapsulating layer aperture prior to lamination of the module layers, so that the base plate becomes more securely integrated into the module during the lamination process. | 06-21-2012 |
20120118356 | MULTI-LAYER SOLAR MODULE BACKSHEET - Thin film photovoltaic modules that include strings of thin film cells laminated between a transparent flexible barrier layer and a multi-layer backsheet configured to stabilize the module and to reduce or control thermo-mechanical stresses leading to undesirable effects such as warping and ribbon buckling, among others. In some cases, the backsheet has an effective TEC that relatively closely matches the TEC of the cells, resulting in improved module stability. Alternatively or in addition, the backsheet may include one or more relatively thick flexible layers, again resulting in improved stability. Various materials may be used with TECs that are chosen to minimize a particular thermo-mechanical stress, and/or to provide a module with a predetermined amount of curvature. | 05-17-2012 |
20120034726 | BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION FOR THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. Solutions containing the reactants for the buffer layer or layers may be dispensed separately to the substrate web, rather than being mixed prior to their application. The web and/or the dispensed solutions may be heated by a plurality of heating elements. | 02-09-2012 |
20120006398 | PROTECTIVE BACK CONTACT LAYER FOR SOLAR CELLS - The present disclosure is directed toward a thin film photovoltaic cell including a support substrate; a contact layer disposed adjacent a first side of the substrate; a p-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first side of the substrate; an n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first side of the substrate; and a protective back side layer structure disposed adjacent a second side of the substrate, wherein the protective back side layer structure may include a corrosion resistant material. In some embodiments, the back side layer includes at least a first layer and a second layer. Additionally and/or alternatively, the back side layer may include a molybdenum alloy, wherein the molybdenum alloy may include an alloy partner selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Al, and Si. | 01-12-2012 |
20120006378 | THIN FILM SOLAR CELL STRINGS - Thin film PV cells and strings of such cells that may be electrically joined with electrical conductors or electroconductive patterns are disclosed. The electrical conductors wrap or fold around the PV cells to form an electrical series connection among those cells. The electrical conductors may be formed or deposited on an electrically insulating sheet, which is then wrapped or folded around those cells. By constructing the electrical conductor and positioning the cells appropriately, an electrical connection is formed between one polarity of a given cell and the opposite polarity of the adjacent cell when the sheet is folded over. One or more dielectric materials may be applied or attached to exposed edges of the cells or conductive traces prior to folding the electrical conductors and/or electrically insulating sheet to prevent shorts or failure points. | 01-12-2012 |
20120000510 | LAMINATED SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM - Thin film photovoltaic cells and strings of cells may be electrically joined in series. More specifically, electrical contacts between photovoltaic cells may be formed by positioning the cells between a pair of interconnection substrates, each of which includes a conductive grid. By positioning the cells appropriately between the substrates, an electrical connection is formed between one polarity of a given cell and the opposite polarity of an adjacent cell. | 01-05-2012 |
20120000502 | INTEGRATED THIN FILM SOLAR CELL INTERCONNECTION - Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series, and laminated to a substantially transparent top sheet having a conductive grid pattern facing the cells. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. Methods may include steps of coordinating, integrating, and registering multiple rolls of substrates in continuous processes. | 01-05-2012 |
20110177622 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF MIXING AND DEPOSITING THIN FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPOSITIONS - 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. At least one layer is deposited from a mixed gallium indium source. | 07-21-2011 |
20100087016 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
20100087015 | FEEDBACK FOR BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin film layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. According to the present teachings, a feedback control system may be employed to measure one or more properties of the web and/or the chalcogenide layer, and to adjust one or more parameters of the system or buffer layer deposition method in response to the measurement. | 04-08-2010 |
20100086699 | SOLUTION CONTAINMENT DURING BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. Solutions containing the reactants for the chalcogenide layer may be contained substantially to the front surface of the web, controlling the boundaries of the reaction and avoiding undesired deposition of chalcogenide upon the back side of the web. | 04-08-2010 |
20100086673 | HEATING FOR BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web through the chemical combination of a metal and chalcogen in solution form. The web and/or the solutions may be heated by one or a plurality of heating elements that may be disposed out of physical contact with the web, allowing enhanced control over the reaction speed through fine temperature control. One or more properties of the chalcogenide layer may be measured, and the temperature of the system may be adjusted in response. | 04-08-2010 |
20090258476 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - 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. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258457 | BUFFER LAYER DEPOSITION FOR THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. Solutions containing the reactants for the buffer layer or layers may be dispensed separately to the substrate web, rather than being mixed prior to their application. The web and/or the dispensed solutions may be heated by a plurality of heating elements. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258444 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - 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. | 10-15-2009 |
20090255565 | THIN FILM SOLAR CELL STRING - Thin film PV cells and strings of such cells that may be electrically joined with conductive tabs or ribbons. A semi-flexible, electrically conductive adhesive is applied to join the tabs to the front and back of a cell, providing a conductive pathway between the tab and solar cell, with good adhesion to both. The tabs may be constructed of one or more materials having a thermal expansion coefficient that closely matches that of the substrate material of the cells, so that when the string or module is subsequently heated, mechanical stress between the tab and solar cell is minimized. The semi-flexible nature of the ECA also acts to relieve stress between the tab and the solar cell, decreasing the possibility of adhesion failure at critical locations. One or more dielectric materials may be applied to the PV cells and/or the tabs in regions where a tab crosses the edge of a cell, to avoid electrical shorting between the negative and positive electrodes of the cell. | 10-15-2009 |
20090255469 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - 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. | 10-15-2009 |
20090255467 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS - 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. | 10-15-2009 |