A solar cell assembly (200) is presented. The solar cell assembly includes one or more solar cell units (211) coupled in series. The solar cell unit includes a first solar cell series (221) and a second solar cell series (222) connected in parallel. The first and second solar cell series include a plurality of solar cells (202) connecting in series respectively. The solar cell assembly also includes a by-pass diode (201) coupled to each solar cell unit and shared between the first and second solar cell series in each solar cell unit.

Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions with differentiated P-type and N-type region architectures, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes an N-type semiconductor substrate having a light-receiving surface and a back surface. A plurality of N-type polycrystalline silicon regions is disposed on a first thin dielectric layer disposed on the back surface of the N-type semiconductor substrate. A plurality of P-type polycrystalline silicon regions is disposed on a second thin dielectric layer disposed in a corresponding one of a plurality of trenches interleaving the plurality of N-type polycrystalline silicon regions in the back surface of the N-type semiconductor substrate.

An optical transformer includes a light source and an array of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to the light source, where at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells are connected in series. An optical connector such as a waveguide or an optical fiber may be disposed between an output of the light source and an input of the array of photovoltaic cells. Configured to generate a high voltage output, the optical transformer may be configured to power a device such as an actuator that provides a tunable displacement as a function of voltage.

An optical transformer includes a light source and an array of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to the light source, where at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells are connected in series. An optical connector such as a waveguide or an optical fiber may be disposed between an output of the light source and an input of the array of photovoltaic cells. Configured to generate a high voltage output, the optical transformer may be configured to power a device such as an actuator that provides a tunable displacement as a function of voltage.

A method for detecting a fault in a photovoltaic module includes determining a matrix of temperatures of the photovoltaic module, the matrix being obtained after dividing the module into a plurality of thermal zones and assigning a temperature to each thermal zone; detecting at least one hot thermal zone from among the plurality of zones of the module; determining a surface area ratio between the surface area of the detected hot thermal zone and the total surface area of the module; performing a first comparison of the surface area ratio with a coefficient dependent on the number of bypass diodes present in the module; and determining the type of fault from the result obtained in said first comparison.

A method for detecting a fault in a photovoltaic module includes determining a matrix of temperatures of the photovoltaic module, the matrix being obtained after dividing the module into a plurality of thermal zones and assigning a temperature to each thermal zone; detecting at least one hot thermal zone from among the plurality of zones of the module; determining a surface area ratio between the surface area of the detected hot thermal zone and the total surface area of the module; performing a first comparison of the surface area ratio with a coefficient dependent on the number of bypass diodes present in the module; and determining the type of fault from the result obtained in said first comparison.

A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingled manner and conductively bonded to each other in their overlapping regions to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module.

A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingled manner and conductively bonded to each other in their overlapping regions to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module.

What is disclosed is a mounting system for one or more solar panels for use, for example, on a roof, awning, parking structure, or other location. The mounting system preferably utilizes one or more generally u shaped tracks. The U shaped tracks are configured for insertion of an I-beam. The I beam is configured to extend beyond the end of the arms of the u-shaped tracks such that an edge of a solar panel can be positioned between an arm of the I beam and the end of the arm of the U shaped track. A tightening mechanism is utilized to provide tension on the I beam toward the bottom of the u shaped track to retain the solar panel between the arm of the I beam and the arm of the U shaped track.

A tendency to deterioration and a cause of a failure are analyzed based on various information about a power generation status and a location environment of each solar module to enable isolation of each module based on an analysis result, and analysis data on a module operation history is accumulated to enable prediction of a time for replacement of the module. A solar module (1) in which a solar cell array (2) is held in a single plate shape with outer frames (7) and (8) is provided with a plurality of sensors (18) for detecting power generation data for each of the modules and detecting various environment data such as an installation angle, temperature, and illuminance of the solar module (1) at a location of a power generation site where solar strings are laid.