ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS OF BUILDING INTEGRABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

摘要

Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules and methods of fabricating thereof. A module may be fabricated from an insert having one or more photovoltaic cells by electrically interconnecting and mechanically integrating one or more connectors with the insert. Each connector may have one or more conductive elements, such as metal sockets and/or pins. At least two of all conductive elements are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cells using, for example, bus bars. These and other electrical components are electrically insulated using a temperature resistant material having a Relative Temperature Index (RTI) of at least about 115° C. The insulation may be provided before or during module fabrication by, for example, providing a prefabricated insulating housing and/or injection molding the temperature resistant material. The temperature resistant material and/or other materials may be used for mechanical integration of the one or more connectors with the insert.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating a building integrable photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
providing a photovoltaic module insert comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells two or more bus bars extending away from one or more sides of the photovoltaic module insert, at least two bus bars electrically connected to the plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells; providing a connector member comprising a conductive element; electrically connecting the conductive element to one of the bus bars; and forming a connector body around at least a portion of the connector member by injection molding a first polymeric material, wherein the building integrable photovoltaic module comprises a temperature resistant material, the temperature resistant material covering the conductive element and the at least one bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells.