Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a gallium arsenide based photovoltaic device includes providing a semiconductor structure, the structure including an absorber layer comprising gallium arsenide. A bypass function is provided in a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure, where under reverse-bias conditions the p-n junction breaks down in a controlled manner by a Zener breakdown effect.

A photovoltaic module comprises a back substrate having a plurality of conductive interconnects on top thereof. A conductive interconnect includes a first contact region and a second contact region. The photovoltaic module further comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells comprising front electrodes disposed on a front surface of a photovoltaic layer on top of back electrodes on top of a support substrate. A plurality of back vias extending through the support substrate of a first cell form an electrical contact between the back electrodes and the second contact region, and a plurality of front vias extending through the support substrate, the back electrodes and the photovoltaic layer of a second cell form an electrical contact between the front electrodes and the first contact region, and is insulated from an electrical contact with the back electrodes and a P side of the photovoltaic layer.

Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module with a plurality of PV-cells (1, 2). The PV-cells (1, 2) are of a type having a plurality of back side contacts (11, 12). A by-pass diode connection path (6) is formed in the back side connection layer (3) along an edge direction of two adjacent cells (1, 2) with a straight or meandering pattern around outer contacts (4, 5) of the plurality of back side contacts (11, 12) of the two adjacent cells (1, 2).

One embodiment of the invention can provide a solar panel. The solar panel can include a plurality of strings of photovoltaic strips sandwiched between a front cover and a back cover. The strings can be arranged into an array that includes multiple blocks, and a respective block can include a subset of strings that are electrically coupled to each other in parallel. The subset of strings within the block can be coupled to a bypass diode. The multiple blocks can be electrically coupled to each other in series.

A solar cell module, having at least one first module segment, wherein the first module segment includes a first subsegment and at least one second subsegment, the first and the second subsegment each have at least one solar cell string and each solar cell string has a plurality of solar cells interconnected in series. The first module segment includes a first and an at least second bypass element and bypass connectors. These bypass elements are interconnected via the bypass connectors within the module segment. The shading properties, the electrical characteristics and the material expenditure in the production of the solar module are advantageously adapted via advantageous circuit and geometry arrangements of the elements.

A solar cell module and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell module includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a first solar cell and a first protection element. The first solar cell and the first protection element are electrically coupled in parallel with each other. The second unit includes a second solar cell and a second protection element. The second solar cell and the second protection element are electrically coupled in parallel. The first unit is electrically connected to the second unit.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

A photovoltaic solar cell assembly includes a bypass diode, a first and a second planar solar cell. Each of the first and the second solar cell includes a front facing side and a rear facing side, each rear facing side including a respective conductive surface, each front facing side including a respective current collector bar, and corresponding grid of metallic lines conductively coupled with the current collector bar. A first terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the conductive surface of the first solar cell. A second terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the current collector bar of the second solar cell. Electrical coupling of the bypass diode with the first solar cell and the second solar cell excludes any external wiring or busbar.