A solar module and a method for fabricating a solar module comprising a plurality of rear contact solar cells are described. Rear contact solar cells (1) are provided with a large size of e.g. 156156 mm.sup.2. Soldering pad arrangements (13, 15) applied on emitter contacts (5) and base contacts (7) are provided with one or more soldering pads (9, 11) arranged linearly. The soldering pad arrangements (13, 15) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis (17). Each solar cell (1) is then separated into first and second cell portions (19, 21) along a line (23) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (17). Due to such cell separation and the asymmetrical design of the soldering pad arrangements (13, 15), the first and second cell portions (19, 21) may then be arranged alternately along a line with each second cell portion (21) arranged in a 180-orientation with respect to the first cell portions (19) and such that emitter soldering pad arrangements (13) of a first cell portion (19) are aligned with base soldering pad arrangements (15) of neighboring second cell portions (21), and vice versa. Simple linear ribbon-type connector strips (25) may be used for interconnecting the cell portions (19, 21) by soldering onto the underlying aligned emitter and base soldering pad arrangements (13, 15). The interconnection approach enables using standard ribbon-type connector strips (25) while reducing any bow as well as reducing series resistance losses.

An improved solar charger that may configured for direct coupling to a plurality of portable electronic devices. The improved solar charger is particularized to match or fall within intended electronic devices charging voltage and amperage requirements and contains a port identification mechanism to enable and facilitate fast charging modes without the use of an internal battery or ancillary electronic circuit boards. More specifically, the solar power charger incorporates a variety of features that make the design rugged, compact, waterproof, and durable.

Photovoltaic modules including a plurality of solar cells bonded to a module back sheet are described herein, wherein each solar cell includes a superstrate bonded to a front side of a photovoltaic device to facilitate handling of very thin photovoltaic devices during fabrication of the module. Modules may also include module front sheets and the solar cells may include bottom sheets. The modules may be made of flexible materials, and may be foldable. Fabrication processes include tabbing photovoltaic devices prior to attaching the individual superstrates.

This solar module has: a base member that is curved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction; strings each constituted from a plurality of solar cells and first wiring members connecting adjacent solar cells in the vertical direction, wherein a plurality of the strings are arranged side by side on the base member; and a string group constituted from a plurality of the strings and second wiring members, which are disposed at both sides in the vertical direction of the strings and connected to the first wiring members, thereby connecting adjacent strings to one another in the horizontal direction. The string group is divided into at least two blocks that are side by side in the vertical direction. Second wiring members are disposed adjacent in the horizontal direction, or second wiring members are disposed adjacent in the vertical direction between the blocks, and are secured to one another.

Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules that are mechanically and electrically interconnectable. According to various embodiments, the modules include channels and protrusion members. A channel of one module snugly fits over a protrusion member of an adjacent module to provide a moisture seal and, in certain embodiments, to collect water in between two modules and direct it downward. In certain embodiments, a channel is configured to interlock with a protrusion member in one or more directions. The channel is positioned along one edge of the module, while the protrusion member is positioned along the opposite edge, so that BIP modules can form a continuous interconnected row. The channel and protrusion member include electrical connectors having conductive elements. Inserting a protrusion member into a channel and, in certain embodiments, sliding one with respect to another also electrically interconnects the conductive elements.

A solar cell panel with a bottom cover plate and an electrically conductive bus bar. A top cover plate having at least one electrically conductive land in communication with a bottom surface of the top cover plate. The land having a height extending from the bottom surface of the top cover plate. An array of rows and columns of solar cell chips lying between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate. Each solar cell chip of the array having an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface. The bus bar in electrical communication with each cathode of each solar cell chip of the array. Each land in electrical contact with each anode of a solar cell chip of the array. An opening formed between adjacent lands wherein the opening extends at least the height of the lands.

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.

An optoelectronic device including at least one of a solar device, a semiconductor device, and an electronic device. The device includes a semiconductor unit. A plurality of metal fingers is disposed on a surface of the semiconductor unit for electrical conduction. Each of the metal fingers includes a pad area for forming an electrical contact. The optoelectronic device includes a plurality of pad areas that is available for connection to a bus bar, wherein each of the metal fingers is connected to a corresponding pad area for forming an electrical contact.

In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel configured to have multiple pieces and a substrate that connects the multiple pieces to each other. The multiple pieces include a first piece and a second piece adjacent to the first piece. Opposing sides of the first piece and the second piece respectively have a mutually fittable shape. A length of the mutually fittable shape is longer than a distance of a straight line which connects both ends of the mutually fittable shape.