A connection assembly for a photovoltaic module includes at least one cell assembly which is externally contactable to at least two contacts. The connection assembly includes at least one bypass diode, which is arranged externally of the at least one cell assembly and connected in parallel to the at least one cell assembly. The connection assembly is characterized in that the connection assembly has at least one plug receptacle into which the bypass diode can be plugged in with plug contacts. A photovoltaic module with such a connection assembly is also provided.

The disclosure relates to a protective circuit for a photovoltaic (PV) module that includes an input having two input terminals for connecting the PV module, an output having two output terminals for connecting further PV modules of a series circuit comprising PV modules, a first switch for connecting one of the input terminals to one of the output terminals, and a controller configured to control the first switch, wherein the protective circuit further includes a series circuit including a first diode and an energy store, wherein the series circuit is arranged in parallel with the input of the protective circuit. The protective circuit also includes a second diode, which connects an output terminal of the protective circuit to a midpoint of the series circuit including the first diode and the energy store, and wherein a series circuit including the second diode and the energy store is connected in parallel with the first switch. The disclosure also relates to a method for operating a protective circuit according to the disclosure, and to a photovoltaic (PV) system including a series circuit comprising PV modules.

The disclosure relates to a protective circuit for a photovoltaic (PV) module that includes an input having two input terminals for connecting the PV module, an output having two output terminals for connecting further PV modules of a series circuit comprising PV modules, a first switch for connecting one of the input terminals to one of the output terminals, and a controller configured to control the first switch, wherein the protective circuit further includes a series circuit including a first diode and an energy store, wherein the series circuit is arranged in parallel with the input of the protective circuit. The protective circuit also includes a second diode, which connects an output terminal of the protective circuit to a midpoint of the series circuit including the first diode and the energy store, and wherein a series circuit including the second diode and the energy store is connected in parallel with the first switch. The disclosure also relates to a method for operating a protective circuit according to the disclosure, and to a photovoltaic (PV) system including a series circuit comprising PV modules.

A back contact solar cell assembly and methods for its manufacture and assembly onto a panel for use in space vehicles are described. The solar cell assembly includes a compound semiconductor multijunction solar cell having a contact at the top surface of the solar cell, a conductive semiconductor element extending from the contact on the top surface to the back surface of the assembly where it forms a first back contact of a first polarity type, and a second back contact of a second polarity at the back surface of the assembly electrically coupled to the back surface of the solar cell.

The present invention relates to a solar cell array configuration comprising a plurality of solar cells provided on at least one substrate, a plurality of contact pads, one contact pad for each of the plurality of solar cells, provided on the at least one substrate, electrical wiring connecting each of the plurality of solar cells with a corresponding one of the plurality of contact pads and a diode electrically connected with at least two of the plurality of solar cells.

The present invention relates to a solar cell array configuration comprising a plurality of solar cells provided on at least one substrate, a plurality of contact pads, one contact pad for each of the plurality of solar cells, provided on the at least one substrate, electrical wiring connecting each of the plurality of solar cells with a corresponding one of the plurality of contact pads and a diode electrically connected with at least two of the plurality of solar cells.

A solar cell module includes a first solar cell subgroup including two first solar cell strings connected in series, a second solar cell subgroup including two second solar cell strings connected in series, a first bypass diode connected in parallel to the first solar cell subgroup, a second bypass diode connected in parallel to the second solar cell subgroup, a pair of first external wires, and a pair of second external wires. A first portion on a high-potential side of a low-potential side first solar cell string having lower potential out of the two first solar cell strings and a second portion on a high-potential side of a low-potential side second solar cell string having lower potential out of the two second solar cell strings are electrically connected to each other.

A solar cell module includes a first solar cell subgroup including two first solar cell strings connected in series, a second solar cell subgroup including two second solar cell strings connected in series, a first bypass diode connected in parallel to the first solar cell subgroup, a second bypass diode connected in parallel to the second solar cell subgroup, a pair of first external wires, and a pair of second external wires. A first portion on a high-potential side of a low-potential side first solar cell string having lower potential out of the two first solar cell strings and a second portion on a high-potential side of a low-potential side second solar cell string having lower potential out of the two second solar cell strings are electrically connected to each other.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.