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.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a gallium arsenide based photovoltaic device includes providing a semiconductor structure, the structure including an absorber layer comprising gallium arsenide. A bypass function is provided in a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure, where under reverse-bias conditions the p-n junction breaks down in a controlled manner by a Zener breakdown effect.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a gallium arsenide based photovoltaic device includes providing a semiconductor structure, the structure including an absorber layer comprising gallium arsenide. A bypass function is provided in a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure, where under reverse-bias conditions the p-n junction breaks down in a controlled manner by a Zener breakdown effect.

There is provided a light trapping dynamic photovoltaic module having a module surface configured to be exposed to solar rays, including a plurality of photovoltaic cell stacks configured adjacent to each other throughout the module surface, wherein each photovoltaic cell stack comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells. Further, a plurality of reflective strips are placed in between each of the photovoltaic cell stacks for continuously reflecting incident solar rays from one reflective strip to another until absorbed by a photovoltaic cell among said plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the incident solar rays are continuously reflected through a mirror phenomenon, wherein the incident solar rays are additionally reflected by front and back panels of the dynamic photovoltaic module, thereby trapping incident solar rays within boundaries of the dynamic photovoltaic module for conversion into electrical energy. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the light trapping photovoltaic module.

There is provided a light trapping dynamic photovoltaic module having a module surface configured to be exposed to solar rays, including a plurality of photovoltaic cell stacks configured adjacent to each other throughout the module surface, wherein each photovoltaic cell stack comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells. Further, a plurality of reflective strips are placed in between each of the photovoltaic cell stacks for continuously reflecting incident solar rays from one reflective strip to another until absorbed by a photovoltaic cell among said plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the incident solar rays are continuously reflected through a mirror phenomenon, wherein the incident solar rays are additionally reflected by front and back panels of the dynamic photovoltaic module, thereby trapping incident solar rays within boundaries of the dynamic photovoltaic module for conversion into electrical energy. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the light trapping photovoltaic module.

A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

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.

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.