Solar cell interconnection wire interconnect structure with strain relief features
An interconnect structure for solar cell interconnection wires is disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a first portion that is attached to parts of a plurality of wires that extend in a first direction away from a first solar cell to which the plurality of wires are coupled and a second portion that is attached to parts of the plurality of wires that extend in a second direction away from a second solar cell to which the plurality of wires are coupled. The interconnect structure also includes a flexible portion between the first portion and the second portion, that includes openings, that is configured to flex in accordance with a movement of one or more of the plurality of wires.
1 . An interconnect structure for solar cell interconnection wires, comprising:
a first portion that is attached to parts of a plurality of interconnection wires that extend in a first direction away from a first solar cell to which the plurality of interconnection wires are coupled;
a second portion that is attached to parts of the plurality of interconnection wires that extend in a second direction away from a second solar cell to which the plurality of interconnection wires are coupled; and
a flexible portion between the first portion and the second portion, that includes openings, that is configured to flex in accordance with a movement of one or more of the plurality of interconnection wires.
2 . The interconnect structure for solar cell interconnection wires of claim 1 , wherein there is a first space between the first solar cell and a first side of the interconnect structure and a second space between the second solar cell and a second side of the interconnect structure.
3 . The interconnect structure for solar cell interconnection wires of claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first side edge, and the second portion includes a second side edge.
4 . The interconnect structure for the solar cell interconnection wires of claim 3 , further comprising:
a third side edge that includes portions that are, and portions that are not, perpendicular to the first side edge; and
a fourth side edge that includes portions that are, and portions that are not, perpendicular to the second side edge.
5 . The interconnect structure for the solar cell interconnection wires of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnection wires include an odd number of interconnection wires that are coupled to one or more back contacts.
6 . The interconnect structure for the solar cell interconnection wires of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of interconnection wires is coupled to an interdigitated finger.
7 . The interconnect structure for the solar cell interconnection wires of claim 1 , wherein the openings are in a central portion of the interconnect structure and include spaces that are untraversed by the plurality of interconnection wires.
8 . A photovoltaic module, comprising:
a plurality of solar cells;
a plurality of interconnection wires coupled to the plurality of solar cells; and
a plurality of interconnect structures for the plurality of interconnection wires coupled to the plurality of interconnection wires, the plurality of interconnect structures comprising:
a first portion that is attached to parts of the plurality of interconnection wires that extend in a first direction away from a first solar cell to which the plurality of interconnection wires are coupled;
a second portion that is attached to parts of the plurality of interconnection wires that extend in a second direction away from a second solar cell to which the plurality of interconnection wires are coupled; and
a flexible portion between the first portion and the second portion, that includes openings, that is configured to flex in accordance with a movement of one or more of the plurality of interconnection wires.
9 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein there is a first space between the first solar cell and a first side of the interconnect structure and a second space between the second solar cell and a second side of the interconnect structure.
10 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the first portion includes a first side edge, and the second portion includes a second side edge.
11 . The photovoltaic module of claim 10 , further comprising:
a third side edge that includes portions that are, and portions that are not, perpendicular to the first side edge; and
a fourth side edge that includes portions that are, and portions that are not, perpendicular to the second side edge.
12 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of interconnection wires include an odd number of interconnection wires that are coupled to one or more back contacts.
13 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of interconnection wires is coupled to an interdigitated finger.
14 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the openings are in a central portion of the interconnect structure and include spaces that are untraversed by the plurality of interconnection wires.