Photovoltaic module architecture
View Patent ↗Modules are disclosed. The modules can include a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode; and a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a bent end connected to the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell.
1. A module, comprising:
a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode;
a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a bent end electrically connected to the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell;
a first polymeric substrate in direct contact with the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell;
a second polymeric substrate in direct contact with the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell; and
an adhesive in contact with the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell,
wherein:
the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell has a first side, a second side and a third side;
the third side of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is between the first and second sides of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell, and the third side of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is in direct contact with the first and second sides of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
the second side of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is opposite the first side of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell extends through the adhesive so that adhesive is in direct contact with both the first and second sides of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
the third side of the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is in direct contact with the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell; and
either: a) the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is a cathode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is an anode; or b) the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is an anode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is a cathode.
2. The module of claim 1 , wherein there is no separate interconnect between the electrodes of the first and second photovoltaic cells.
3. The module of claim 1 , wherein the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is a cathode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is an anode.
4. The module of claim 1 , wherein the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is an anode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is a cathode.
5. The module of claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric substrate supports the first and second photovoltaic cells.
6. The module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a bent end that is connected to the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
7. The module of claim 1 , wherein the module has first and second ends, and the first and second ends are sealed.
8. The module of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell overlaps a portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
9. A module, comprising:
a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode;
a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a shaped portion electrically connected to the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell;
a first polymeric substrate in direct contact with the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell;
a second polymeric substrate in direct contact with the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell; and
an adhesive between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell,
wherein:
the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell has a first side, a second side and a third side;
the third side of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is between the first and second sides of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell, and the third side of the shaped end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is in direct contact with the first and second sides of the shaped end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
the second side of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is opposite the first side of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell;
the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell extends through the adhesive so that the adhesive is in direct contact with both the first and second sides of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell; and
the third side of the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is in direct contact with the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell; and
either: a) the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is a cathode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is an anode; or b) the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is an anode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is a cathode.
10. The module of claim 9 , wherein there is no separate interconnect between the electrodes of the first and second photovoltaic cells.
11. The module of claim 9 , further comprising a member disposed between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
12. The module of claim 11 , wherein the member is compliant.
13. The module of claim 11 , wherein the member is electrically conductive.
14. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive material is in the form of at least two members.
15. The module of claim 14 , wherein the at least two members form seals on either side of the connection between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
16. The module of claim 14 , wherein the adhesive material further comprises at least one structural material.
17. The module of claim 16 , wherein the structural material is electrically nonconductive.
18. The module of claim 9 , wherein the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is a cathode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is an anode.
19. The module of claim 9 , wherein the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell is an anode and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is a cathode.
20. The module of claim 9 , wherein the first polymeric substrate supports the first and second photovoltaic cells.
21. The module of claim 9 , further comprising:
a third photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a shaped portion that is electrically connected to the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
22. The module of claim 9 , wherein the module has first and second ends, and the first and second ends are sealed.
23. The module of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell overlaps a portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
24. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a polymer.
25. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
26. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive contacts the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
27. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive comprises a polymer.
28. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive is between the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
29. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive contacts the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
30. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is devoid of conductive material.
31. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive is devoid of conductive material.
32. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive provides insulation between a region of the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and a region of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
33. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive provides insulation between a region of the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and a region of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.
34. The module of claim 1 , wherein the bent end of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is shaped such that the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is L-shaped.
35. The module of claim 9 , wherein the shaped portion of the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is shaped such that the electrode of the second photovoltaic cell is L-shaped.
36. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is an electrically insulative adhesive.
37. The module of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is an electrically conductive adhesive.
38. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive is an electrically insulative adhesive.
39. The module of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive is an electrically conductive adhesive.
40. The module of claim 1 , wherein the first and second photovoltaic cells are between the first and second polymeric substrates.
41. The module of claim 9 , wherein the first and second photovoltaic cells are between the first and second polymeric substrates.
42. The module of claim 1 , wherein the first photovoltaic cell comprises a photoactive material comprising dye sensitized titania.
43. The module of claim 9 , wherein the first photovoltaic cell comprises a photoactive material comprising dye sensitized titania.
44. The module of claim 1 , wherein the first photovoltaic cell comprises a photoactive material comprising a polymer and a fullerene.
45. The module of claim 9 , wherein the first photovoltaic cell comprises a photoactive material comprising a polymer and a fullerene.