Power routing module with a switching matrix for a solar cell array
A power routing module with a switching matrix for electrically interconnecting a plurality of solar cells in an array, wherein the switching matrix is configured to dynamically route power among a plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and the plurality of solar cells. At least one of the solar cells has at least one cropped corner resulting in a corner region, an area of a substrate in the corner region remains exposed when the solar cells are attached to the substrate, and the power routing module with the switching matrix is attached to the substrate in the area of the substrate in the corner region that remains exposed.
1 . A device for a solar cell array, comprising:
a plurality of solar cells each having at least one cropped corner in an array;
a power routing module for customizing electrical connections between the plurality of solar cells in the array, wherein the power routing module includes an electrically conductive layer comprised of one or more electrical conductors for electrically interconnecting the solar cells, and an insulation layer for electrically insulating the electrical conductors of the electrically conductive layer;
the power routing module and the solar cells are attached to a substrate, wherein the substrate is a multi-layer substrate comprised of one or more insulating layers separating and overlaying one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form a plurality of electrical conductors buried within the substrate; at least one corner region defined by cropped corners of the solar cells;
the power routing module is attached to the substrate in an area of the substrate in the corner region that remains exposed with the solar cells each having the at least one cropped corner resulting in the corner region;
wherein the area includes conducting pads in the substrate that provide connection points between the power routing module and conductive paths buried within the substrate;
wherein at least one of the conducting pads is located in the central region of the area in the corner region;
the electrical conductors of the power routing module electrically connect one or more contacts of the solar cells with the conducting pads on the substrate; and
the power routing module includes a switching matrix for dynamically routing power among a plurality of current pathways connecting the power routing module and the plurality of solar cells and for changing electrical connections between the solar cells during operation.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more bypass diodes.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more V+, V−, or bridging lines.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power in response to one or more control signals.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the control signals are a wireless control signal from a remote source.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the switching matrix is a space division circuit switch, in which the current on a selected input path is connected to a selected output path.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the switching matrix is comprised of one or more connection blocks, each of which connects the selected input path to the selected output path according to a control signal.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein each connection block within the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein selected input and output paths within each connection block are uniquely addressed.
11 . A method, comprising:
fabricating a plurality of solar cells each having at least one cropped corner in an array;
fabricating a power routing module for customizing electrical connections between the plurality of solar cells in the array, wherein the power routing module includes an electrically conductive layer comprised of one or more electrical conductors for electrically interconnecting the solar cells, and an insulation layer for electrically insulating the electrical conductors of the electrically conductive layer;
the power routing module and the solar cells are attached to a substrate, wherein the substrate is a multi-layer substrate comprised of one or more insulating layers separating and overlaying one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form a plurality of electrical conductors buried within the substrate;
at least one corner region defined by cropped corners of the solar cells;
the power routing module is attached to the substrate in an area of the substrate in the corner region that remains exposed with the solar cells each having the at least one cropped corner resulting in the corner region;
wherein the area includes conducting pads in the substrate that provide connection points between the power routing module and conductive paths buried within the substrate;
wherein at least one of the conducting pads is located in the central region of the area in the corner region;
the electrical conductors of the power routing module electrically connect one or more contacts of the solar cells with the conducting pads on the substrate; and
the power routing module includes a switching matrix for dynamically routing power among a plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and the plurality of solar cells and for changing electrical connections between the solar cells during operation.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more bypass diodes.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more power or bridging lines.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power in response to a control signal.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the control signal is a wireless control signal from a remote source.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the switching matrix is a space division circuit switch, in which the power on a selected input path is connected to a selected output path.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the switching matrix is comprised of one or more connection blocks, each of which connects the selected input path to the selected output path according to a control signal.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein each connection block within the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein selected input and output paths within each connection block are uniquely addressed.
21 . A solar cell panel, comprising:
a solar cell array comprised of at least one power routing module for customizing electrical connections between a plurality of solar cells in the array, wherein the power routing module includes an electrically conductive layer comprised of one or more electrical conductors for electrically interconnecting the solar cells, and an insulation layer for electrically insulating the electrical conductors of the electrically conductive layer;
the power routing module and the solar cells are attached to a substrate, wherein the substrate is a multi-layer substrate comprised of one or more insulating layers separating and overlaying one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form a plurality of electrical conductors buried within the substrate;
the solar cells each has at least one cropped corner, wherein at least one corner region is defined by cropped corners of the solar cells;
the power routing module is attached to the substrate in an area of the substrate in the corner region that remains exposed with the solar cells each having the at least one cropped corner resulting in the corner region;
wherein the area includes conducting pads in the substrate that provide connection points between the power routing module and conductive paths-buried within the substrate;
wherein at least one of the conducting pads is located in the central region of the area in the corner region;
the electrical conductors of the power routing module electrically connect one or more contacts of the solar cells with the conducting pads on the substrate; and
the power routing module includes a switching matrix for dynamically routing power among a plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and the plurality of solar cells and for changing electrical connections between the solar cells during operation.
22 . The solar cell panel of claim 21 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more bypass diodes.
23 . The solar cell panel of claim 21 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power among the plurality of current pathways connected between the power routing module and one or more power or bridging lines.
24 . The solar cell panel of claim 21 , wherein the switching matrix is configured for dynamically routing power in response to a control signal.
25 . The solar cell panel of claim 24 , wherein the control signal is a wireless control signal from a remote source.
26 . The solar cell panel of claim 21 , wherein the switching matrix is a space division circuit switch, in which the power on a selected input path is connected to a selected output path.
27 . The solar cell panel of claim 26 , wherein the switching matrix is comprised of one or more connection blocks, each of which connects the selected input path to the selected output path according to a control signal.
28 . The solar cell panel of claim 21 , wherein the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
29 . The solar cell panel of claim 28 , wherein each connection block within the switching matrix is uniquely addressed.
30 . The solar cell panel of claim 29 , wherein selected input and output paths within each connection block are uniquely addressed.