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.

A solar cell module, having at least four module segments and a plurality of bypass elements. Each module segment includes at least two solar cell strings connected in parallel and each string includes multiple solar cells connected in series and the four module segments are connected in series. The second and third module segments are connected in series between first and fourth module segments and the four module segments are arranged in two parallel series, having a first series which includes the first and the second module segment and a second series which includes the third and the fourth module segment. A first bypass element is connected in parallel to the first module segment, a second bypass element is connected in parallel to the second and third module segments connected in series, and a third bypass element is connected in parallel to the fourth module segment.

A solar cell module, having at least four module segments and a plurality of bypass elements. Each module segment includes at least two solar cell strings connected in parallel and each string includes multiple solar cells connected in series and the four module segments are connected in series. The second and third module segments are connected in series between first and fourth module segments and the four module segments are arranged in two parallel series, having a first series which includes the first and the second module segment and a second series which includes the third and the fourth module segment. A first bypass element is connected in parallel to the first module segment, a second bypass element is connected in parallel to the second and third module segments connected in series, and a third bypass element is connected in parallel to the fourth module segment.

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 bypass diode assembly and a method for fabricating the bypass diode assembly are provided, the bypass diode assembly comprising an electrically insulating tape, an electrically conductive ribbon extending over the back side of the tape and locally exposed at the front side of the tape through an opening, a semiconductor component positioned in a hole through the tape, wherein the semiconductor component comprises a diode electrically connected between a first contact pad of the semiconductor component in electrical contact with the electrically conductive ribbon and a second contact pad of the semiconductor component, and an electrically conductive ribbon portion on the front side of the tape in electrical contact with the second contact pad of the semiconductor component. The electrically conductive ribbon portion is electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive ribbon by the electrically insulating tape. A photovoltaic module comprising at least one bypass diode assembly is provided.

A bypass diode assembly and a method for fabricating the bypass diode assembly are provided, the bypass diode assembly comprising an electrically insulating tape, an electrically conductive ribbon extending over the back side of the tape and locally exposed at the front side of the tape through an opening, a semiconductor component positioned in a hole through the tape, wherein the semiconductor component comprises a diode electrically connected between a first contact pad of the semiconductor component in electrical contact with the electrically conductive ribbon and a second contact pad of the semiconductor component, and an electrically conductive ribbon portion on the front side of the tape in electrical contact with the second contact pad of the semiconductor component. The electrically conductive ribbon portion is electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive ribbon by the electrically insulating tape. A photovoltaic module comprising at least one bypass diode assembly is provided.

Protection of space solar cells in an arrangement in the form of a string extending in an X direction, and two directly adjacent space solar cells in the X direction in each case are electrically connected to each other in series with the aid of a metallic connector. The string has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a protection arrangement formed along a Y direction is formed on one of the two ends. The protection arrangement has a first string protection diode formed in the Y direction and a metal strip and a second string protection diode. The protection arrangement is electrically connected to one of the two ends of the string and each string protection diode is uncased and has exactly one metal contact on the upper side and exactly one metal contact on the underside.

Protection of space solar cells in an arrangement in the form of a string extending in an X direction, and two directly adjacent space solar cells in the X direction in each case are electrically connected to each other in series with the aid of a metallic connector. The string has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a protection arrangement formed along a Y direction is formed on one of the two ends. The protection arrangement has a first string protection diode formed in the Y direction and a metal strip and a second string protection diode. The protection arrangement is electrically connected to one of the two ends of the string and each string protection diode is uncased and has exactly one metal contact on the upper side and exactly one metal contact on the underside.

An electrical connection is formed between first and second conductive elements, by inserting a nano-metal material between the first and second conductive elements; and heating the nano-metal material to a melting temperature to form the electrical connection between the first and second conductive elements. The nano-metal material may comprise a nano-metal paste or ink comprised of one or more of Gold (Au), Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), and/or Aluminum (Al) nano-particles that melt or fuse into a solid to form the electrical connection, at a melting temperature of about 150-250 degrees C., and more preferably, about 175-225 degrees C. The electrical connection may be formed between a solar cell and a substrate by creating a via in the solar cell between a front and back side of the solar cell, wherein the via is connected to a contact on the front side of the solar cell and a trace on the substrate.