Frameless photovoltaic module

摘要

A photovoltaic module employing an array of photovoltaic cells disposed between two optically transparent substrates such as to define a closed-loop peripheral area of the module that does not contain a photovoltaic cell. The module is sealed with a peripheral seal along the perimeter; and is devoid of a structural element affixed to an optically transparent substrate and adapted to mount the module to a supporting structure. The two substrates may be bonded together with the use of adhesive material and, optionally, the peripheral seal can include the adhesive material. The module optionally includes diffraction grating element(s) adjoining respectively corresponding PV-cell(s).

主权项

1. A photovoltaic (PV) module comprising:
first and second optically transparent substrates; a bi-facial PV cell between the first and second substrates; a first flexible sealing material disposed between and in contact with both the first and second substrates around a perimeter of the module to sealingly affix the first and second substrates to one another,and
an optically transparent layer disposed spaced-apart from and tangentially parallel to the second substrate such as to define a gap therebetween, a first PV cell in the gap, and a second flexible sealing material disposed between the first and second substrates around a perimeter of the PV module said module being devoid of a substantially rigid housing and a grounding wire.