Solar cell interconnect structure
In one embodiment, backside-contact solar cells in a solar cell array are connected using separate pieces of interconnect leads. Each interconnect lead may electrically connect a contact point on a backside-contact solar cell to a corresponding contact on another backside-contact solar cell. Each interconnect lead may be curved to provide strain relief.
1 . A solar cell array comprising:
a first solar cell having a backside comprising a first area of a first electrical polarity and a second area of a second electrical polarity; and
a plurality of contact points on the first area and the second area, the contact points on the first area being electrically coupled to corresponding contact points on an area on a backside of a second solar cell by separate pieces of interconnect leads.
2 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein each of the first area and the second area has at least three contact points.
3 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein each of the pieces of interconnect leads-comprises a strip of conductive material having a curve for strain relief.
4 . The solar cell array of claim 3 wherein the strip of conductive material comprises copper coated with a material selected from a group comprising tin and solder.
5 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein each of the pieces of interconnect leads comprises a strip of perforated conductive material.
6 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein the pieces of interconnect leads comprise three interconnect leads.
7 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein each of the pieces of interconnect leads is soldered to a contact point on the first area and to a corresponding contact point on the area on the backside of the second solar cell.
8 . The solar cell array of claim 1 further comprising a bus bar electrically coupled to the second area.
9 . The solar cell array of claim 1 further comprising a third solar cell having an area that is electrically coupled to the second area.
10 . The solar cell array of claim 1 wherein the solar cell array is part of a solar cell module.
11 . A solar cell array comprising a first backside-contact solar cell having a plurality of contact points that are electrically coupled by individual pieces of interconnect leads to corresponding contact points on a second backside-contact solar cell.
12 . The solar cell array of claim 11 wherein at least one of the individual pieces of interconnect leads comprises a curved strip of conductive material.
13 . The solar cell array of claim 12 wherein the curved strip of conductive material comprises copper having an outer coating.
14 . The solar cell array of claim 13 wherein the outer coating comprises tin.
15 . The solar cell array of claim 11 wherein at least one of the individual pieces of interconnect leads comprises a strip of perforated material.
16 . The solar cell array of claim 11 wherein the individual pieces of interconnect leads comprise three interconnect leads.
17 . A method of fabricating a solar cell array, the method comprising:
using a first interconnect lead to electrically couple a first contact point on a backside of a first solar cell to a second contact point on a backside of a second solar cell; and
using a second interconnect lead to electrically couple a third contact point on the backside of the first solar cell to a fourth contact point on the backside of the second solar cell, wherein the first contact point and the third contact point are on a conductive area on the backside of the first solar cell.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the first interconnect lead comprises a curved strip of conductive material.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the conductive material comprises copper coated with tin.
20 . A solar cell array comprising:
a first backside-contact solar cell;
a second backside-contact solar cell adjacent to the first backside-contact solar cell in a solar cell array; and
a plurality of connection means for electrically coupling the first backside-contact solar cell to the second backside-contact solar cell.
21 . The solar cell array of claim 20 further comprising a bus bar electrically coupled to the second backside-contact solar cell.
22 . The solar cell array of claim 20 wherein each of the plurality of connection means comprises a strip of curved conductive material.