Integrated diode assemblies for photovoltaic modules

摘要

Provided are bypass diode assemblies for use in photovoltaic modules. Also provided are methods of fabricating such assemblies and a method of fabricating photovoltaic modules using such assemblies. A diode assembly may include an insulating strip, at least one lead-diode assembly having a diode and two leads, and at least two interconnecting conductors overlapping with and electrically contacting the leads of the lead-diode assembly. The insulating strip supports the lead-diode assembly and conductors and at least partially insulates these components from photovoltaic cells. Specifically, during module fabrication, the interconnecting conductors make electrical connections to the back sides of the cells through cutouts in the insulating strip. The electrical connections may be made to every cell in a row or a subset of selected cells in that row. In certain embodiments, the same interconnecting conductor is connected to two or more cells positioned in adjacent rows.

主权项

1. An integrated diode assembly for providing electrical protection to one or more photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic module, the integrated diode assembly comprising:
an insulating strip comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a first cutout; a first combined diode-lead assembly disposed adjacent to the second surface and comprising a first diode, a first diode conductor electrically connected to one electrical lead of the first diode, and a second diode conductor electrically connected another electrical lead of the first diode; and a first interconnecting conductor disposed adjacent to the second surface, the first interconnecting conductor at least partially overlapping and being electrically connected to the first diode conductor, wherein one or more of the first interconnecting conductor and the first diode conductor at least partially overlap the first cutout to provide an electrical connection to a first photovoltaic cell disposed adjacent to the first surface.