A PV module is formed having an array of PV cells, where the cells are separated by gaps. Each cell contains an array of small silicon sphere diodes (10-300 microns in diameter) connected in parallel. The diodes and conductor layers may be patterned by printing. A continuous metal substrate supports the diodes and conductor layers in all the cells. A dielectric substrate is laminated to the metal substrate. Trenches are then formed by laser ablation around the cells to sever the metal substrate to form electrically isolated PV cells. A metallization step is then performed to connect the cells in series to increase the voltage output of the PV module. An electrically isolated bypass diode for each cell is also formed by the trenching step. The metallization step connects the bypass diode and its associated cell in a reverse-parallel relationship.

A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells conductively bonded to each other in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency. The front surface metallization patterns on the solar cells may be configured to enable single step stencil printing, which is facilitated by the overlapping configuration of the solar cells in the super cells. A solar photovoltaic system may comprise two or more such high voltage solar cell modules electrically connected in parallel with each other and to an inverter. Solar cell cleaving tools and solar cell cleaving methods apply a vacuum between bottom surfaces of a solar cell wafer and a curved supporting surface to flex the solar cell wafer against the curved supporting surface and thereby cleave the solar cell wafer along one or more previously prepared scribe lines to provide a plurality of solar cells. An advantage of these cleaving tools and cleaving methods is that they need not require physical contact with the upper surfaces of the solar cell wafer. Solar cells are manufactured with reduced carrier recombination losses at edges of the solar cell, e.g., without cleaved edges that promote carrier recombination. The solar cells may have narrow rectangular geometries and may be advantageously employed in shingled (overlapping) arrangements to form super cells.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for designing photovoltaic panels are described herein. The photovoltaic panels are composed substrings of photovoltaic cells. The substrings of photovoltaic cells may be oriented in a horizontal fashion with respect to a layout of the photovoltaic panels. In the event of snow coverage, partial shading, mutual shading, and so forth, orienting the substrings of the photovoltaic cells in this manner enables those substrings which are disposed higher up in the photovoltaic panel to resume operation even while those substrings which are disposed lower down in the photovoltaic panel remain covered, shaded or otherwise blocked or impeded from functioning. Accordingly, the overall productivity of a photovoltaic panel designed as described herein is increased. Related apparatus, systems, and methods are also described.

A solar cell module and a method for operating a solar cell module. The solar cell module includes a plurality of strings which are each formed from a plurality of solar cells connected to one another in a series circuit, wherein each string is connected to a bypass circuit assigned thereto. The solar cell module is also characterized in that the bypass circuit has a switching element and is configured to reduce an electrical current inside the string by switching the switching element when a return current occurs within the associated string.

A solar cell module and a method for operating a solar cell module. The solar cell module includes a plurality of strings which are each formed from a plurality of solar cells connected to one another in a series circuit, wherein each string is connected to a bypass circuit assigned thereto. The solar cell module is also characterized in that the bypass circuit has a switching element and is configured to reduce an electrical current inside the string by switching the switching element when a return current occurs within the associated string.

A photovoltaic module includes at least one string of solar cells wherein the solar cells are electrically connected in series using a plurality of connecting elements, wherein each connecting element electrically connects a frontside of one of the solar cells of the at least one string with a backside of the neighboring solar cell of the at least one string; a weave of electrically insulating yarns on which the solar cells are positioned; at least one electronic device comprising a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the at least one electronic device is fixed to the weave and wherein the first terminal, and the second terminal are respectively electrically connected with the connecting elements at the backsides of neighboring solar cells of the at least one string.

Solar cell assembly that includes at least first and second solar cells arranged adjacent each other to form a row. First electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to second electric contact pad of second solar cell and second electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Interconnectors connect each first electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent second electric contact pad of second solar cell and each second electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Each interconnector is sized so that, between adjacent cells, interconnector is below first electric contact pad. Cover glass is provided on a front surface of each solar cell, and each interconnector is provided with a cover member covering a front surface of interconnector.

An interconnector for electrically connecting a first electronic device element and a second electronic device element includes first and second connection portions which are respectively connected to electrodes of the first and second electronic device elements. A plurality of strip-like intermediate portions are each connected to both the first connection portion and the second connection portion to electrically connect the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The intermediate portions are mutually separated from one another in the width direction and mutually extending in parallel directions. Each intermediate portion has a first curved portion which is curved to be concave at one side of the respective intermediate portion in the width direction, and a second curved portion which is curved to be concave at another side of the respective intermediate portion in the width direction.

Photovoltaic module with a back side conductive substrate (10) and a plurality of PV-cells (2) having back contacts and being arranged in an array on a top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). A circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2) is formed by connections (8) between the back contacts and the back side conductive substrate (10). A plurality of by-pass diodes (5) are present having back contacts (6a, 6b) in electrical contact with the circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2), wherein the by-pass diodes (5) are positioned on empty parts (4) of the top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). Each by-pass diode is a wafer based diode and is connected in parallel with one or more PV-cells (2).

A solar cell can include a built-in bypass diode. In one embodiment, the solar cell can include an active region disposed in or above a first portion of a substrate and a bypass diode disposed in or above a second portion of the substrate. The first and second portions of the substrate can be physically separated with a groove. A metallization structure can couple the active region to the bypass diode.