GB2031224A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB2031224A – Enclosure for photocell array
– Google Patents

GB2031224A – Enclosure for photocell array
– Google Patents
Enclosure for photocell array

Download PDF
Info

Publication number
GB2031224A

GB2031224A
GB7930493A
GB7930493A
GB2031224A
GB 2031224 A
GB2031224 A
GB 2031224A
GB 7930493 A
GB7930493 A
GB 7930493A
GB 7930493 A
GB7930493 A
GB 7930493A
GB 2031224 A
GB2031224 A
GB 2031224A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
glass
sheets
photovoltaic devices
array according
array
Prior art date
1978-09-05
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Withdrawn

Application number
GB7930493A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Stone Platt Crawley Ltd

Original Assignee
Stone Platt Crawley Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1978-09-05
Filing date
1979-09-03
Publication date
1980-04-16

1979-09-03
Application filed by Stone Platt Crawley Ltd
filed
Critical
Stone Platt Crawley Ltd

1980-04-16
Publication of GB2031224A
publication
Critical
patent/GB2031224A/en

Status
Withdrawn
legal-status
Critical
Current

Links

Espacenet

Global Dossier

Discuss

Classifications

H—ELECTRICITY

H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER

H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES

H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 – H02S30/00

H02S40/30—Electrical components

H02S40/34—Electrical components comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10

H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infra-red radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof

H01L31/02—Details

H01L31/02002—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations

H01L31/02005—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier

H01L31/02008—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules

H01L31/02013—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules comprising output lead wires elements

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10

H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infra-red radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices

H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells

H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10

H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells

H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells

H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module

H01L31/0508—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module the interconnection means having a particular shape

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10

H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00

H01L2224/01—Means for bonding being attached to, or being formed on, the surface to be connected, e.g. chip-to-package, die-attach, “first-level” interconnects; Manufacturing methods related thereto

H01L2224/42—Wire connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto

H01L2224/47—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process

H01L2224/48—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process of an individual wire connector

H01L2224/481—Disposition

H01L2224/48151—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive

H01L2224/48221—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked

H01L2224/48225—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation

H01L2224/48227—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10

H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00

H01L2924/15—Details of package parts other than the semiconductor or other solid state devices to be connected

H01L2924/161—Cap

H01L2924/1615—Shape

H01L2924/16195—Flat cap [not enclosing an internal cavity]

Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources

Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

An array of photovoltaic devices has an enclosure comprising two spaced sheets of glass 2,7 between which the photovoltaic devices 5 are located, the two sheets of glass being sealed to each other at least around their edges, for example through a spacing frame 8, and one of the sheets of glass having electrically conductive tracks 1 serving to make electrical contacts to the photovoltaic devices. Advantageously the photovoltaic devices are also physically attached to the tracks. Instead of using the frame 8, the glass sheets may be sealed together by a layer of vinyl material to form a laminated structure.

Description

SPECIFICATION
Enclosure of photovoltaic devices
The invention relates to the mounting and interconnection of photovoltaic devices and their enclosure to form an array suitable for use as an energy converter in a terrestrial environment.
Photovoltaic devices of known types need interconnection to provide voltages and currents at levels required for most practical applications. They also require protection from the environment to achieve acceptable life. Known methods include interconnection by mounting on printed wiring substrates and subsequent encapsulation in transparent materials with or without glass covers. It is also known to mount the photovoltaic devices on printed wiring substrates and enclose the assembly in a sealed case having a transparent cover.
It is an object of the present invention to reduce the cost and improve the performance of photovoltaic arrays for terrestrial use.
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by enclosing the devices between two sheets of glass, the rearmost having on its inner surface conducting tracks which serve as part of the necessary interconnection and may also serve as points of attachment of the devices to the rear glass.
The front glass may be spaced from the rear glass by a frame to provide clearance for the devices, the two glasses being sealed together by the spacing frame or by the frame and suitable sealant in combination.
Alternatively, the glasses and mounted photovoltaic devices may be laminated together with an essentially transparent medium using materials and techniques derived from those employed in the manufacture of laminated windscreens for automotive and aeronautical use.
A Apreferred embodiment of the mounting and enclosure arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a cross-section through the arrangement.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the conducting tracks 1 are screen printed onto the inner surface of the rear glass 2 using conductive ink. The track is stabilised by firing, which process may conveniently be combined with any toughening process employed. Suitable sections of track may be extended onto the edge or onto the outer surface of the rear glass to form a connection between the array of photovoltaic devices and external circuits. It is convenient to mount a connection box 3 onto the edge or outer surface of the rear glass and the extended tracks are arranged to penetrate into this connection box, which may then be weatherproof.
Any track remaining exposed is protected by suitable known varnish 4 for example, or adhesive tape.
The photovoltaic devices 5 are connected mechanically and electrically to the conductive track by solder or conductive adhesive. Additional electrical connections 6 must be made between the front electrodes of the devices and appropriate points of the conductive track.
In this embodiment the front glass 7 is spaced from, but sealed to, the rear glass by an elastomeric frame 8 attached to both glasses by suitable adhesive 9. The elastomeric frame accomodates any dimensional change due to temperature difference between front and rear glasses.
In a second embodiment the devices 5 are mounted to the rear glass, as in the above described embodiment. Suitably formed sheets of interleaving vinyl material are then laminated between the rear glass with its assembled devices in position and the front glass. It is found advantageous to prepare interleaving sheets with cut out sections to accommodate the photovoltaic devices 5 and add an additional interleaving layer over cut out sheet and devices. This improves the flow of vinyl material around the devices and reduces the severity of the heating and pressing required to effect sealing.
As an alternative to extending the track on to the outer surface of the rear glass as described above, a suitably located hole could be provided in the rear glass through which electrical interconnection could be made between the track and the connection box, the interconnecting lead or leads passing directly into the box through the hole. Thus the connection box would be positioned on the outer face of the rear glass over the hole and the weatherproofing of the array would be enhanced.

Claims (10)

1. An array of photovoltaic devices comprising a plurality of photovoltaic devices and an enclosure therefor comprising two spaced sheets of glass between which the photovoltaic devices are located, the two sheets of glass being sealed to each other at least around their edges and one of the sheets of glass on its inwardly facing surface having an electrically conducting track serving to interconnect the photovoltaic devices electrically.

2. An array according to Claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic devices are physically attached to said track.

3. An array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two sheets of glass are spaced from each other by a frame through which said two sheets are sealed together.

4. An array according to claim 3, wherein said frame is of elastomeric material.

5. An array according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two sheets of glass are spaced from each other by a laminate of thermoplastics material which is sealed to the sheets of glass by its own adhesion.

6. An array according to claim 5, wherein at least one layer of the laminate is formed with cut-outs to accommodate the photovoltaic devices.

7. An array according to any preceding claim, wherein said track extends to the outwardly facing surface of said one sheet of glass and into a connection box mounted on said outwardly facing surface.

8. An array acc ,rding to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a hole is provided through said one sheet of glass through which electrical interconnection is made between said track and a connection box mounted on the outwardly facing surface of said one sheet of glass.

9. An array according to claim 8, wherein the electrical lead or leads constituting said electrical interconnection pass through said hole directly into said connection box.

10. An array of photovoltaic devices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

GB7930493A
1978-09-05
1979-09-03
Enclosure for photocell array

Withdrawn

GB2031224A
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB7835600

1978-09-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB2031224A
true

GB2031224A
(en)

1980-04-16

Family
ID=10499440
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB7930493A
Withdrawn

GB2031224A
(en)

1978-09-05
1979-09-03
Enclosure for photocell array

Country Status (1)

Country
Link

GB
(1)

GB2031224A
(en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

DE3129456A1
(en)

1980-07-29
1982-04-22
Andrés Cuevas Fernandez
Solar cell generator, particularly in plate form

US5071491A
(en)

1988-12-12
1991-12-10
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Frame for solar cell devices

DE19739170A1
(en)

1997-09-06
1999-03-18
High Solar Entwicklungs Und Ve
Solar collector with current generating, platelet-shaped solar cells

WO2003050891A2
(en)

2001-10-23
2003-06-19
Bp Corporation North America Inc.
Sealed thin film photovoltaic modules

US7449629B2
(en)

2002-08-21
2008-11-11
Truseal Technologies, Inc.
Solar panel including a low moisture vapor transmission rate adhesive composition

US8101039B2
(en)

2008-04-10
2012-01-24
Cardinal Ig Company
Manufacturing of photovoltaic subassemblies

US8716592B2
(en)

2004-07-12
2014-05-06
Quanex Ig Systems, Inc.
Thin film photovoltaic assembly method

1979

1979-09-03
GB
GB7930493A
patent/GB2031224A/en
not_active
Withdrawn

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

DE3129456A1
(en)

1980-07-29
1982-04-22
Andrés Cuevas Fernandez
Solar cell generator, particularly in plate form

US5071491A
(en)

1988-12-12
1991-12-10
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Frame for solar cell devices

DE19739170A1
(en)

1997-09-06
1999-03-18
High Solar Entwicklungs Und Ve
Solar collector with current generating, platelet-shaped solar cells

WO2003050891A2
(en)

2001-10-23
2003-06-19
Bp Corporation North America Inc.
Sealed thin film photovoltaic modules

WO2003050891A3
(en)

2001-10-23
2003-11-20
Bp Corp North America Inc
Sealed thin film photovoltaic modules

US7449629B2
(en)

2002-08-21
2008-11-11
Truseal Technologies, Inc.
Solar panel including a low moisture vapor transmission rate adhesive composition

US8716592B2
(en)

2004-07-12
2014-05-06
Quanex Ig Systems, Inc.
Thin film photovoltaic assembly method

US8101039B2
(en)

2008-04-10
2012-01-24
Cardinal Ig Company
Manufacturing of photovoltaic subassemblies

Contact information