A method for manufacturing a PV solar cells matrix array (SCMA) of mn PV solar cells that are interconnected both in parallel and and in series. The solar cells are interconnected by a flexible conductor foil, row by row, wherein each pair of adjacent rows of solar cells are conductively interconnected by a single flexible conductor foil. Hence, the SCMA of mn PV solar cells are inter connected by n-\ parallel and series connection conductors, that are preferably solder ready by either high temperature solder or by low temperature solder.

A system for supplying power to a portable battery pack including a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin using at least one solar panel is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for designing photovoltaic panels are described herein. The photovoltaic panels are composed substrings of photovoltaic cells. The substrings of photovoltaic cells may be oriented in a horizontal fashion with respect to a layout of the photovoltaic panels. In the event of snow coverage, partial shading, mutual shading, and so forth, orienting the substrings of the photovoltaic cells in this manner enables those substrings which are disposed higher up in the photovoltaic panel to resume operation even while those substrings which are disposed lower down in the photovoltaic panel remain covered, shaded or otherwise blocked or impeded from functioning. Accordingly, the overall productivity of a photovoltaic panel designed as described herein is increased. Related apparatus, systems, and methods are also described.

A solar cell module includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate opposite the upper substrate, a solar cell panel positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, the solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells which are arranged in a matrix form and are connected to one another through a wiring member, a passivation layer configured to package the solar cell panel, a frame configured to surround an outer perimeter of the solar cell panel, a connection terminal configured to connect two adjacent strings in the solar cell panel, and a cover member configured to cover the connection terminal.

Each of at least three solar cell strings has a first end and a second end in a first direction each including a connector. At the first end and the second end, a wire member is provided to which the connector of the first end of each of at least two solar cell strings out of the at least three solar cell strings and the connector of the second end thereof are connected. A first sheet member is provided to allow the wire member at the first end to be located in a specific positional relationship with the wire member at the second end, and a second sheet member is provided to allow the wire member at the second end to be located in a specific positional relationship with the wire member at the first end.

A solar cell can include a first plurality of metal contact fingers, and a second plurality of metal contact fingers interdigitated with the first plurality of metal contact fingers, wherein at least one of the first plurality of metal contact fingers comprises a wrap-around metal finger that passes between a first edge of the solar cell and at least one contact pads. A photovoltaic (PV) string including a solar cell with a wrap-around metal contact finger. A method of coupling an electrically conductive connector to a solar cell with a wrap-around metal contact finger.

A photovoltaic module and a method for manufacturing photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module includes a solar cell, a pad, fasteners, and a solder strip. The pad is arranged on the solar cell and includes first, second, and third parts, the first part is connected to the third part through the second part, and along a length direction of the solder strip, a width of the second part is less than a width of the first part and a width of the third part. The fasteners are arranged on a side of the first part facing away from the solar cell and a side of the third part facing away from the solar cell, the solder strip is provided between the fastener in the first part and the fastener in the third part, and the solder strip is connected to the pad through the fastener to form a solar cell string.

The HCPV system includes a plurality of modules connected to an array, a casing, a plurality of inverted pyramids, a plurality of solar cells, and a backplate. Each module includes an optical component that concentrates light onto a single solar cell and a single inverted pyramid with solid lateral faces connects the optical component at a peripheral edge of a base of the pyramid to the single solar cell at an apex of the inverted pyramid. The casing has a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame surrounds each optical component on the peripheral edge of the pyramid, and the bottom frame surrounds each solar cell on the apex of the pyramid. The top frame and bottom frame are separated by a plurality of supports. The backplate is a plurality of interconnected circular pads.

A solar cell module includes: two solar cells, each including: a first main face and a second main face; a first electrode on the first main face, comprising a bus-bar electrode having at least one of an opening portion, notch portion, and gap portion; and a second electrode on the first or second main face having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode; a wiring member that electrically connects the first electrode of one solar cell to the second electrode of another solar cell; and an electrically conductive connection layer that contacts the wiring member and the first main face.

Method of manufacturing a single-side-contacted photovoltaic device (1), comprising the steps of: a) providing a photovoltaically-active substrate (3) defining a plurality of alternating hole collecting zones (3a) and electron collecting zones (3b) arranged in parallel strips; b) depositing a conductive layer (5) across said zones; c) depositing at least one conductive track (9) extending along at least part of each of said zones (3a, 3b); d) selectively forming a dielectric layer (7) on each of said zones (3a, 3b), so as to leave an exposed area free of dielectric at an interface between adjacent zones (3a, 3b); e) etching said conductive layer (5) in said exposed areas; f) applying a plurality of interconnecting conductors (11a, 11b) so as to electrically interconnect at least a portion of said hole collecting zones (3a) with each other, and to electrically interconnect at least a portion of said electron collecting zones (3b) with each other.