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).

Photovoltaic module with a negative terminal (5) and a positive terminal (6), and a parallel connection (3, 4) of m sub-modules (2) connected to the negative and the positive terminal (5, 6) of the photovoltaic module (1). Each of the m sub-modules (2) has a string of n series-connected back-contact cells (9), wherein the n cells (9) of each sub-module (2) are arranged in an array. The parallel connection (3, 4) and connections (8) for each string of n series-connected back contact cells (9) are provided in a back conductive sheet, and the back conductive sheet comprises designated areas (7) for the parallel connection (3, 4), corresponding to edge parts of each corresponding sub-module (2).

A solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells, a bypass diode unit, and a heat spreader. The bypass diode unit includes a bypass diode coupled in an electrical shunting configuration across at least a first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells to bypass current around at least the first solar cell in an event of failure of the first solar cell. The heat spreader is disposed over a portion of one or more of the solar cells. The bypass diode unit is disposed on a first side of the heat spreader with the bypass diode in thermal contact with the heat spreader. A second side of the heat spreader is mounted in thermal contact with the one or more of the solar cells to dissipate heat generated in the bypass diode to the one or more of the solar cells.

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.

Arrangements of diodes and heat spreaders for solar modules are described. For example, a solar module may include a backsheet with a low profile, surface-mount diode disposed above the backsheet. A pair of ribbon interconnects is coupled to the low profile, surface-mount diode and may penetrate the backsheet.

Photovoltaic cells, methods for fabricating surface mount multijunction photovoltaic cells, methods for assembling solar panels, and solar panels comprising photovoltaic cells are disclosed. The surface mount multijunction photovoltaic cells include through-wafer-vias for interconnecting the front surface epitaxial layer to a contact pad on the back surface. The through-wafer-vias are formed using a wet etch process that removes semiconductor materials non-selectively without major differences in etch rates between heteroepitaxial III-V semiconductor layers.

A solar module comprising a plurality of solar cell strings arranged side-by-side, each solar cell string having positive and negative terminals at opposite ends thereof, the plurality of solar cell strings comprising: a first group of adjacent solar cell strings, each oriented such that their positive terminals are disposed towards a first end of the solar module; and a second group of adjacent solar cell strings, each oriented such that their positive terminals are disposed towards a second end of the solar module opposite the first end, the positive terminals of the second group of solar cell strings electrically connected to the negative terminals of the first group of solar cell strings.

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 bus bar for solar cell component is provided. The bus bar includes a first copper ribbon, a second copper ribbon, a third copper ribbon and a fourth copper ribbon connected end-to-end. A first diode electrically bridges the first and the second copper ribbon; a second diode electrically bridges the second and the third copper ribbon; and a third diode electrically bridges the third and the fourth copper ribbon. A first electrical energy output terminal is formed at an end of the first copper ribbon corresponding to the second copper ribbon, and a second electrical energy output terminal is formed at an end of the fourth copper ribbon corresponding to the third copper ribbon.

A photovoltaic module structure comprises a photovoltaic power generator of at least one solar cell, the photovoltaic power generator having a positive and a negative output terminal. A forward biased blocking diode electrically connected in parallel with a magnetically actuated normally-open bypass switch, the forward biased blocking diode and the magnetically actuated normally-open bypass switch electrically connected in series to the positive output terminal or the negative output terminal of the photovoltaic power generator. A module output terminal electrically connected as the output to the forward biased blocking diode and the magnetically actuated normally-open bypass switch. The photovoltaic power generator, the forward biased blocking diode, and the magnetically actuated normally-open bypass switch embedded within a module laminate.