Flexible High-Voltage Adaptable Current Photovoltaic Modules And Associated Methods
A flexible photovoltaic module for converting light into an electric current includes a plurality of electrically interconnected flexible photovoltaic submodules monolithically integrated onto a common flexible substrate. Each photovoltaic submodule includes a plurality of electrically interconnected flexible thin-film photovoltaic cells monolithically integrated onto the flexible substrate. A flexible photovoltaic module for converting light into an electric current includes a backplane layer for supporting the photovoltaic module. A first pottant layer is disposed on the backplane layer, and a photovoltaic submodule assembly is disposed on the first pottant layer. The photovoltaic submodule assembly has at least one photovoltaic submodule, where each photovoltaic submodule includes a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells. A second pottant layer is disposed on the photovoltaic submodule assembly, and a upper laminate layer disposed on the second pottant layer.
1 . A flexible photovoltaic module for converting light into an electric current, comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected flexible photovoltaic submodules monolithically integrated on a common flexible substrate, each photovoltaic submodule including a plurality of electrically interconnected flexible thin-film photovoltaic cells monolithically integrated onto the flexible substrate.
2 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , further comprising at least one bus bar electrically connecting at least two of the photovoltaic submodules.
3 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , further comprising at least one conductor formed of conductive ink electrically connecting at least two of the photovoltaic submodules.
4 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , at least two of the photovoltaic submodules being electrically connected in series.
5 . The photovoltaic module of claim 4 , further comprising a flexible bus bar electrically connecting the two photovoltaic submodules in series.
6 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , at least two of the photovoltaic submodules being electrically connected in parallel.
7 . The photovoltaic module of claim 6 , further comprising a flexible bus bar electrically connecting the two photovoltaic modules in parallel.
8 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of photovoltaic submodules comprises a first, second, third, and fourth photovoltaic submodule;
the first and second photovoltaic submodules are electrically connected in series to form a first string of photovoltaic submodules;
the third and fourth photovoltaic submodules are electrically connected in series to form a second string of photovoltaic submodules; and
the first string of photovoltaic submodules is electrically connected in parallel to the second string of photovoltaic submodules.
9 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of photovoltaic submodules comprises a first, second, third, and fourth photovoltaic submodule;
the first and second photovoltaic submodules are electrically connected in parallel to form a first group of photovoltaic submodules;
the third and fourth photovoltaic submodules are electrically connected in parallel to form a second group of photovoltaic submodules; and
the first group of photovoltaic submodules is electrically connected in series with the second group of photovoltaic submodules.
10 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , the photovoltaic module having a length and a width, a plurality of photovoltaic submodules being disposed along both the length and the width of the photovoltaic module.
11 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , at least two adjacent photovoltaic submodules having opposite electrical polarity.
12 . A flexible photovoltaic module for converting light into an electric current, comprising:
a backplane layer for supporting the photovoltaic module;
a first pottant layer disposed on the backplane layer;
a photovoltaic submodule assembly disposed on the first pottant layer, the photovoltaic submodule assembly having at least one photovoltaic submodule, each photovoltaic submodule having a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells;
a second pottant layer disposed on the photovoltaic submodule assembly; and
a upper laminate layer disposed on the second pottant layer.
13 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , the photovoltaic submodule assembly comprising a plurality of photovoltaic submodules and a plurality of bus bars, the bus bars electrically interconnecting the plurality of photovoltaic submodules.
14 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , at least one or both of the first and second pottant layers comprising an additive.
15 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , the first pottant layer comprising:
a first pottant sublayer disposed on the backplane layer;
a first additive layer disposed on the first pottant sublayer; and
a second pottant sublayer disposed on the first additive layer.
16 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , the second pottant layer comprising:
a third pottant sublayer disposed on the photovoltaic submodule assembly;
a second additive layer disposed on the third pottant sublayer; and
a fourth pottant sublayer disposed on the second additive layer.
17 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , the photovoltaic submodule assembly comprising a common flexible substrate, each photovoltaic submodule being monolithically integrated on the common flexible substrate.
18 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , further comprising a flexible wiring harness including a plurality of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor being electrically isolated within the wiring harness, the photovoltaic submodule assembly being selectively connectable to one of the electrical conductors.
19 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , the backplane layer comprising a fastener for fastening the photovoltaic module to a supporting structure.
20 . The photovoltaic module of claim 12 , at least one of the first and second pottant layers being formed of one of ethylene vinyl acetate and polyvinyl butyral.