A laminated photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) module for a PV/T hybrid solar collector comprising a cooler/absorber and a photovoltaic unit. The cooler/absorber includes at least one flat surface with raised peripheral edges and is adapted to function as a mould for a photovoltaic laminate structure. The photovoltaic unit includes a photovoltaic laminate structure including: a first layer of a first laminate material moulded on the flat surface of the cooler/absorber, wherein the first laminate material is electrically insulating and has a high thermal conductivity; a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned on the first layer of laminate material; and a second layer of a second laminate material moulded on and substantially covering the photovoltaic cells, wherein the second laminate material is transparent and has a high heat resistance.

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. Rear surface electrical connections between solar cells in electrically parallel super cells provide alternative current paths (i.e., detours) through the solar module around damaged, shaded, or otherwise underperforming solar cells.

A concentrator photovoltaic module including: a flexible printed circuit provided in contact with a bottom surface of a housing; and a primary concentrating portion formed by a plurality of lens elements being arranged, each lens element concentrating sunlight, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes: an insulating base material and a conductive pattern; a plurality of power generating elements provided on the pattern, so as to correspond to the lens elements, respectively; a cover lay as a covering layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than a predetermined value, the cover lay covering and sealing a conductive portion including the pattern on the insulating base material; and an adhesive layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than the predetermined value, the adhesive layer bonding the insulating base material and the covering layer together.

The present disclosure provides interconnect elements and methods of using interconnect elements. In one embodiment, the interconnect element includes: a first end including at least three members, each member having a pair of parallel gap apertures for mounting an adjoining first component; a second opposing end including at least two members, each member having a pair of parallel gap apertures for mounting an adjoining second component; and one or more interconnect connecting portions to attach the first end of the interconnect element to the second end of the interconnect element.

A bypass diode assembly includes a plurality of diodes and a plurality of interconnects coupled to the plurality of diodes. Functionality of the plurality of diodes to prevent current limiting of a solar cell string that the bypass diode assembly is coupled to is not dependent on back metal of solar cells of the solar cell string. Each interconnect includes one or more relief features. A first terminal of a first diode of the plurality of diodes is physically and electrically coupled directly to a first end of a first interconnect of the plurality of interconnects. A second terminal of a second diode of the plurality of diodes is physically and electrically coupled directly to a second end of the first interconnect. Also, a first end of a second interconnect of the plurality of interconnects is physically and electrically coupled directly to a first terminal of the second diode.

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).

Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.

A solar glass assembly configured to generate energy and including a framing assembly having a plurality of framing elements enclosing a cavity, an upper frame surface, and a lower frame surface opposing the upper frame surface, an upper transparent glass layer coupled to the upper frame surface, defining a plurality of enclosed lens apertures with a plurality of magnifying lenses disposed therein and a lower glass layer coupled to the framing assembly and opposing the upper transparent glass layer, and a plurality of honeycomb lattice structures each housed within the cavity, of an electrically and thermally conductive material, interposed between the upper transparent glass layer and the lower glass layer, electrically coupled to a diode, and housing a semiconductor material within a cavity therein, directly coupled thereto, and disposed underneath one of the plurality of magnifying lenses to focus incoming solar light to the semiconductor material.

A solar glass assembly configured to generate energy and including a framing assembly having a plurality of framing elements enclosing a cavity, an upper frame surface, and a lower frame surface opposing the upper frame surface, an upper transparent glass layer coupled to the upper frame surface, defining a plurality of enclosed lens apertures with a plurality of magnifying lenses disposed therein and a lower glass layer coupled to the framing assembly and opposing the upper transparent glass layer, and a plurality of honeycomb lattice structures each housed within the cavity, of an electrically and thermally conductive material, interposed between the upper transparent glass layer and the lower glass layer, electrically coupled to a diode, and housing a semiconductor material within a cavity therein, directly coupled thereto, and disposed underneath one of the plurality of magnifying lenses to focus incoming solar light to the semiconductor material.

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.