Encapsulated or with housing

Modules comprising photo-cells encapsulated in laminates comprising at least one rigid member and at least one transparent member laminated together by a transparent hot melt adhesive such as plasticised polyvinyl butyral or an ethylene copolymer. The preferred members are glass sheets and the preferred...     

The battery is of the type including a plurality of laminar semi-conductor bodies arranged on a dielectric support in parallel relation to each other and each comprising respectively layers of two different but oppositely conducting semi-conductor material forming a photovoltaic junction, with the layer...     

A device for converting Sunlight into electrical energy which can be used to maintain a charge in a battery includes at least one translucent panel having a plurality of individual electrically connected solar cells mounted therein. The translucent panel is mounted in a frame which can support the panel...     

A terrestrial solar cell generator including a plurality of solar cells mounted in a housing and interconnected by a plurality of leads with the solar cells being protected against adverse environmental conditions. The housing is entirely formed of the same radiation resistant material and encloses the...     

A solar cell shingle may be made of an array of solar cells on a lower portion of a substantially rectangular shingle substrate made of fiberglass cloth or the like. The solar cells may be encapsulated in flourinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or some other weatherproof translucent or transparent encapsulant...     

A solar cell package includes a plurality of solar cells within a space formed by a support member and a transparent cover member. A first conductor is positioned between the support member and the solar cells and makes electrical contact to a first surface of each of the solar cells. A second conductor...     

A photovoltaic cell includes a metal support which is coated with a metal having a low melting point on which a crystalline layer of a semiconductive material is deposited, the material being doped to form a p-n semiconductor. In preferred embodiments the metal support may be a cell plate, the metal...     

A panel for mounting solar energy cells, and particularly those cells upon which light is to be concentrated, includes an enclosure for holding the cells and has at least one wall formed from a good conductor of heat. The cells are mounted within the enclosure on a resinous cushion that is a relatively...     

A solar panel having solar cells adhered to the base surface thereof by a single component, room temperature vulcanizing silicone resin and encapsulated in a multicomponent silicone resin with desirable optical properties.

An encapsulated photovoltaic solar cell assembly comprising at least one solar cell mounted and hermetically sealed in a substantially rigid, elongated, tubular envelope which is transmissive to actinic radiation to which the photovoltaic solar cell is sensitive. The assembly can include an antireflection...     

A solar panel including photovoltaic cells encapsulated in a silicone resin containing an ultraviolet light absorber that will inhibit corrosion of metallic cell parts and resin delamination while having no substantial, adverse effect on curing of the resin.

A solar panel for use in hostile environments. The panel includes top and bottom molded glass plates, each having a downwardly directed sidewall extending around their outer peripheries. The bottom plate is positioned beneath and within the sidewalls of the top plate thereby downwardly directing the...     

A solar battery package having at least one solar cell substantially embedded in a block of fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin with a transparent flexible covering. The block has a portion, overlaying a light receiving area of the solar cell, which is transparent and has another portion which is either...     

A photovoltaic array composed of a light transmitting member having a plurality of sides, at least one photovoltaic means carried by at least one of said sides, and a diffusive member covering a portion of said device.

In a photovoltaic cell which comprises: a substrate, a bottom electrode, a first layer of cadmium sulfide, a second layer of cuprous sulfide forming a barrier junction with said first layer and a top electrode, the improvement wherein said substrate is an insulative ceramic material and the bottom electrode...     

A solar energy assembly is disclosed comprising at least one hermetically sealed envelope in which a trough-shaped radiation collector having a reflective surface is disposed so as to receive incident solar radiation through the wall of said envelope. Radiation conversion means comprising at least one...     

A solar cell module consisting of a solar cell panel and a frame therefor is disclosed. The solar cell panel is formed from a hard, light transparent sheet material which preferably is glass and has arrayed on the bottom surface of the glass a plurality of individual solar cells interconnected in the...     

In a batten-seam roof construction employing at least one photovoltaic cell module, the electrical conduits employed with the at least one photovoltaic cell module are disposed primarily under the battens of the roof.

A crystal of a semiconductor material has an electrically conducting loom assembly embedded therein, whereby the crystal and loom assembly define a unit which converts light or other electromagnetic radiation into an electrical current for flow to an external electrical circuit. The loom assembly has...     

A portable power supply including a rechargeable battery, an array of solar cells, a heat sink thermally engaging the cells and the batteries for transmission from the former to the latter, and a cover pivotal between a first position in which it protects the solar cells and a second position in which...     

A solar panel module is provided, wherein a plurality of solar panel units are electrically interconnected and supported within a low cost frame assembly, which may conveniently be formed from wood products. Each solar panel unit is provided with extending conductors for electrical connections with adjacent...     

A solar cell module is provided having a plurality of circular solar cells arrayed on a support structure in which at least the land areas between the cells have facets with light reflecting surfaces. An optical cover medium couples the facets and the cells. Importantly the angular relationship of the...     

Solar cell array and method for manufacturing same wherein the individual cells of the array are sandwiched and held resiliently captive between and electrically isolated from a transparent protective front cover and a protective rear substrate by an encapsulating transparent silicone elastomer cast...     

Solar cell modules having light scattering surfaces at least in the land areas between a plurality of arrayed solar cells and optically coupled to the cells by means of an internally reflective plate having a planar surface of incidence and an opposed textured surface provide increased module output....     

A solar cell module is provided in which a plurality of solar cells are linearly arrayed on a support structure, preferably in a close packed configuration. Adjacent the linearly arrayed cells is a lengthwise land area having facets with light reflective surfaces, the grooves defined by the facets running...     

A photovoltaic module is disclosed in the form of a shingle having an active portion containing photovoltaic cells and an inactive mounting portion. Flat flexible ribbon-like positive and negative leads extend from the terminals in the active portion. The individual modules are mounted on a surface by...     

Solar cell modules having light scattering surfaces at least in the land areas between a plurality of arrayed solar cells and optically coupled to the cells provide increased module output over modules not provided with light scattering land areas. Insolation impinging on the light scattering surfaces...     

The invention provides a transparent protective cover for a solar panel. The cover provides for the positioning of lengths of clean covering film over the solar panel thereby removing dust and other accumulations. A pair of rollers on opposite sides of the solar panel support a supply of film material...     

The present application discloses a sunlight-into-energy conversion apparatus in which at least one amorphous silicon solar cell having a thickness thin enough to permit the sunlight to pass therethrough is formed on the surface of a heat collecting plate attached to a heating medium tube in a thermal...     

The invention concerns a photovoltaic generating panel easily adaptable to a roof. The panel is equipped with a peripheral frame formed by the assembly of straight light alloy shapes. The particular form of these shapes makes possible the laying of adjacent panels with overlapping of the edges of the...     

A photovoltaic-electrolytic unit is provided to produce an electric current from solar energy and utilize the current to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of water. The unit floats in an aqueous medium so that photoelectric cells are exposed to solar radiation, and electrodes submerged in the medium...     

A photo-coupler for electricity-light-electricity conversion comprising: (1) a light emitting part; (2) a photosensing device comprising a plurality of photosensing elements electrically connected in series in a light receiving surface of an insulating substrate, said photosensing elements being radially...     

A terminal assembly for providing external electrical connection to a solar panel having at least one solar cell and an electrically conductive layer located behind the cell. The terminal assembly has a substantially flat conductive portion between the cell and the conductive layer, and an insulating...     

An apparatus for laminating a solar cell structure includes upper and lower housing members and an intermediate member which includes a flexible membrane. The members form upper and lower sealed chambers which can be selectively evacuated. The solar cell structure is placed between the membrane and a...     

A polymer syrup for encapsulating solar cell assemblies. The syrup includes uncrosslinked poly(n-butyl)acrylate dissolved in n-butyl acrylate monomer. Preparation of the poly(n-butyl)acrylate and preparation of the polymer syrup is disclosed. Methods for applying the polymer syrup to solar cell assemblies...     

A solar power module comprising an array of solar cells arranged on a flat panel, said panel being supported by a substantially rigid, easily assembled frame comprising spaced apart side channels that each interlock with adjacent and channels.

Solar cells and arrays of solar cells are made as thin films on insulating substrates. In an exemplary embodiment, a thin conductive film is deposited on glass and a semi-conductor film is deposited over the metal. The semi-conductor film has a P-N junction parallel to the substrate. Another conductive...     

An improved photovoltaic device including a solar panel and a container housing salt hydrate materials, in which the container is positioned in close proximity to the lower portion of the panel, which has no support-providing bottom wall, so that heat generated during operation of the photovoltaic cells...     

A solar power satellite (30) includes a truss structure (32) having a plurality of independently controlled solar power modules (34) mounted to one face of the truss structure. The solar power satellite is constructed in orbit by first forming and then assemblying component beam members (50, 52) to the...     

A photovoltaic solar module having at least one solar cell embedded in synthetic resin and resting on a flexible supporting element and which further includes a sheet-like rigid element reinforcing the solar cell.

A solar module comprising a solar cell string laminated between layers of pottant material and a transparent superstrate and a steel substrate. The steel substrate is roll formed to provide stiffening flanges on its edges while simultaneously forming a pan-shaped structure to hold other portions of the...     

A laminar plastics material sheet including a transparent, electrically conductive layer used to cover the front and/or rear surfaces of a spacecraft solar array to alleviate electrostatic charge build-up thereon due to electron bombardment.

A solar concentrator which comprises a solid block of a transparent material having a planar incident surface positioned to receive solar rays and, opposite this surface, a curved reflective surface so that the material of the block completely fills the space between these surfaces. At the incident surface...     

A photovoltaic-thermal solar cell including a semiconductor body having antireflective top and bottom surfaces and coated on each said surface with a patterned electrode covering less than 10% of the surface area. A thermal-absorbing surface is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the semiconductor...     

An electrical terminal for use in laminated photovoltaic solar panels including a terminal post having a first end for connection to an external electrical lead and a second end flattened to form a radially extending flange, in combination with a generally flat terminal plate having an aperture through...     

Individual panels of solar cells are stacked one on top of the other and arranged so that incident light passes through each of the arrays of cells in each panel striking the one below it. The solar cells in each panel are selected to have a predetermined and different spectral response and thus are...     

The present application discloses a sunlight-into-electrical and thermal energy conversion apparatus wherein a heat collecting plate fitted with a heating medium tube and solar cells is contained in a cubiform container and wherein the upside opening of the cubiform container is covered with a light-permeable...     

A camera having a photovoltaic cell such as a solar cell is provided. A power supply circuit of a camera comprises a solar battery, a second battery and a switch. If the second battery is a secondary battery, the switch is closed to connect the solar and second batteries in parallel. Otherwise, the switch...     

A method for forming photovoltaic cell module laminates wherein the cells are sealed in a crosslinked polymer between a solid superstrate and a solid substrate wherein the polymer is formed from ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer having dispersed therein at least one peroxide initiator to crosslink the...     

The invention relates to a solar cell for exposure to light rays on both sides. The solar cell contains only one pn junction on one surface side of the semiconductor body. The base of the solar cell is uniformly and less strongly doped than the thin surface zone of the conduction type opposite to that...     

A solar battery has a pair of opposed light incident transparent electroconductive and back electrodes sandwiching amorphous silicon layers formed on a substrate with at least a major surface of the back electrode surface being in contact with an organic resin layer and being made of a compound of a...     

A method of manufacturing a solar battery by serially connecting a plurality of solar battery elements arranged spaced from each other. A pair of flexible films are used to sandwich the arrangement of the solar battery elements, and each of the flexible films has a plurality of conductive members formed...     

A self-charging battery comprising a rechargeable nickel-cadmium cell and a solar electric panel. Sunlight passing through the transparent housing excites the solar panel which then supplies recharging current to the nickel-cadmium cell.

A photovoltaic array module incorporating a plurality of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (22), a semiconductor body (23) deposited on the substrate layer (22), and a transparent electrically conductive layer (24) deposited on...     

A reliable and inexpensive solar module is disclosed. The solar module comprises a thin-film type photovoltaic cell array formed on a glass superstrate, leaving a margin of an appropriate width along the periphery of the glass superstrate, and a resin layer coated on the photovoltaic cell array and the...     

The present invention relates to a solar cell module comprising a projected section formed on a side of a module case including plural interconnected solar cell devices, a groove section formed on the opposite side to accommodate the projected section and terminals of the solar cell devices, which are...     

The disclosure relates to a solar cell assembly comprising plural solar cell modules connected to each other. The overall output of the connected modules is delivered from the terminals of the first module. The input and output of the last module of the modules connected in series can be connected without...     

A thin-film solar cell device in which multiple series-connected cell elements are formed in units which can then be readily joined together in either a series or parallel connection. At least two terminal electrodes are provided on the opposite side of the insulating substrate of each unit, connected...     

A thin film solar module structure comprising a front face untempered glass sheet having a thin film photovoltaic structure fabricated on the back surface thereof, a second glass sheet formed of high strength or tempered glass and a layer of potting or bonding material laminating the two glass sheets...     

Photocell modules wherein one or more photocells are encapsulated within a thermoplastic polymeric pottant between the layers of a rigid or flexible laminate. The pottant is a graft copolymer of (a) at least one addition polymerizable backbone monomer having a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of...     

A power generating optical filter specially tuned to (1) transmit at least portions of selected wavelengths of incident light and (2) generate electrical power from absorbed portions of selected wavelengths of incident light.

A self-charging battery comprising a rechargeable nickel-cadmium cell and a solar electric panel. Sunlight passing through the transparent housing excites the solar panel which then supplies recharging current to the nickel-cadmium cell.

A thin film photovoltaic module has transparent electrodes on front and back surfaces of a semiconductive layer. In one embodiment, both transparent electrodes pass light to the semiconductive layer for photovoltaic purposes. In another embodiment, the back electrode passes light which enters through...     

An apparatus for mounting solar cells and the like on a supporting structure, the apparatus having a panel composed of an open textured, electrically non-conductive, non-woven web adapted to receive a solar cell, a plurality of mounting assemblies, each composed of a first element adapted to be affixed...     

The energy conversion system includes a photo-voltaic array for receiving solar radiation and converting such radiation to electrical energy. The photo-voltaic array is mounted on a stretched membrane that is held by a frame. Tracking means for orienting the photo-voltaic array in predetermined positions...     

The invention relates to a solar generator comprising separate and spaced semiconductor solar cells having surfaces provided for light incidence and electrically interconnected connection contacts for the surfaces and opposite rear faces, and having separate surface coverings for the various solar cells....     

A solar cell module having a CdS/CdTe junction as a photovoltaic portion comprises a glass substrate, a metal foil, a layer of resin bonding the glass substrate and the metal foil together at a peripheral region of the module. For minimizing the reduction in conversion efficiency, an oxygen releasing...     

A power generating optical filter specially tuned to (1) transmit at least portions of selected wavelengths of incident light and (2) generate electrical power from absorbed portions of selected wavelengths of incident light.

A contoured solar generator whose solar cells and their associated electrical terminals and connecting lines are embedded in a laminate including at least the solar cells, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil and a glass pane. To adapt the solar generator to a given external contour or to fit it into...     

A modular solar generating system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of self-contained solar modules which are interconnectedly disposed in an array about the perimeter of a rigid framework housing a sign, light, or other load means necessitating electrical power during the night time hours....     

A solar cell module is made lightweight without a substantial loss of the performance of the module by using a transparent hollow multilayer structure in which a plurality of transparent sheets are spaced at a distance by reinforcing members inserted between and connected to the transparent sheets as...     

A solar-powered beacon comprises a water-tight caisson housing a battery for storing electricity produced by solar cells atop the beacon. An electronic circuit within the caisson controls operation of the beacon. The caisson material acts as a heat sink for the solar cells, and insulation is provided...     

A photovoltaic device copmrises a transparent insulating substrate, a transparent front electrode layer on the substrate, a semiconductor layer for photoelectric conversion on the front electrode layer, and a metallic back electrode layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein at least the back electrode...     

A photovoltaic device of improved flexibility is provided by using a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxy resin substrate.

A photovoltaic panel is supported, sealed and isolated from the environment by being encased in a reaction injection molded elastomer which encapsulates the back, sides and a portion of the front side of the photovoltaic panel.

A device for shading areas, in particular for shading areas or plazas where people can walk, in desert areas, comprising a roofing surface which extends on carrier elements at a spacing from the surface to be shaded, preferably with a roof skin or membrane stretched on supports, to provide for shading...     

An improved tandem photoelectric conversion device is shown. The device comprises at least two photoelectric conversion semiconductor assemblies. The assembly located behind the other has higher crystallinity then the other, so that light with a long wavelength passing through the front assembly be converted...     

The encapsulation of a photovoltaic element is described in which the outer surface is provided with a two layer protective film comprising a carbon film and a dielectric silicon compound film.

The invention relates to a solar cell module wherein solar cell rows comprising several cells ae arranged overlapping such that in accordance with the invention the butt joints of adjacent solar cell rows are offset in relation to one another, thereby permitting parallel and serial connection within...     

Light transmitting glass having at least one surface area which is matted by surface pits, including an etched surface area having a population of merging or contiguous surface pits of polyhedral form, each pit having a small area so that at least 30% of visible light normally incident on the at least...     

A light rechargeable battery includes a rechargeable cell having an elongated, tubular case characterized by a longitudinal axis, and a pair of terminals extending therefrom. Two or more thin-film solar cells fabricated on a flexible substrate and interconnected in a series circuit between the terminals...     

A solar energy collector device is disclosed for selectively collecting an electrical energy and a thermal energy at the same time from a solar energy. The device comprises an inorganic-and-metal composite in the form of a roof tile or a wall-forming member which includes a solar battery exposed to sun...     

A method for encapsulating a photovoltaic module and an encapsulated photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module includes a superstrate and one or more photovoltaic cells disposed on the superstrate. A barrier coating is applied to the exposed side of the photovoltaic module. The barrier coating is...     

A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading attachments positioned...     

The present invention is directed to a solar harness apparatus which includes a plurality of solar cells with each having an active surface, that is, a surface which absorbs photons to generate electrical power, and these are arranged in a substantially parallel fashion with the active surfaces all facing...     

Solar cell equipment is mounted using clamps of the present invention. The clamps enable a single mounting which may be employed in conjunction with a frame. The clamps provide electrical contact to the solar cell equipment for carrying the solar generated current. Clamps may also be completely insulated...     

A solar electric generating system is provided which directly generates D.C. current from ambient light to charge a rechargeable battery through a blocking diode, and a wiring harness adaptable to connect to the existing internal circuitry of conventional existing navigation bouys. This invention is...     

A frame for securing solar cell equipment in a solar generator and carrying solar generated current. The current carrying frame reduces the number of interconnections required in the overall device. As a result, the present invention is simpler and requires considerably less outlay than conventional...     

Tile plates of standard roofing tile dimensions can engage over opposite edges of photovoltaic modules mounted on these plates to form roofing assemblies. The photovoltaic modules preferably are frameless and are anchored by formations on their edges to formations along grooves of the tile plates receiving...     

Solar cells, particularly GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cells, are mechanically and electrically connected in the form of a string using a flexible circuit tape and mounted in optical alignment with solar energy concentrators in a module. A heat spreader body is attached to each cell unit as part of a heat...     

A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another are are slidably clipped to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading fasteners.

A solar panel for use in a roof mounted array of solar panels, each panel having ridges protruding outwardly and adjacent to the side edges for receiving a standing seam cap between side-adjacent panels. Each solar panel is formed as an integral structure having a photovoltaic module an edge of which...     

A planar photovoltaic concentrator module for producing an electrical signal from incident solar radiation includes an electrically insulating housing having a front wall, an opposing back wall and a hollow interior. A solar cell having electrical terminals is positioned within the interior of the housing....     

Photovoltaic solar modules are efficiently assembled into an array by the use of a lattice and mounting-conducting electrodes. The lattice consists of parallel conducting strips spaced apart by a distance equal to the width of a module, secured to a supporting frame. The electrodes are attached to busbars...     

A manufacturing method of a photovoltaic device, whereby a photovoltaic device of a large area in the laminated structure of a first resin layer with light- transmitting property, a photo-electric converting element consisting of a transparent electrode layer, a thin-film semiconductor layer and a back...     

Transparent pane for vehicles, in particular, a transparent cover for sliding roofs, lifting roofs and the like, with a transparent outer layer and a solar laminate lying flat against the inside of this outer layer. The active part of the solar laminate is formed of a first subsection lying in the outer...     

A solar battery module to be mounted on a mounting face of a mounting body, comprising a solar battery module body, solar cells for converting sunlight into electric energy inside the solar battery module body, a connection lead wire connected with the solar cells and which passes through a hole in the...     

An array of solar cells for supplying electrical energy to a building (e.g., for operating air-conditioning equipment) is mounted in a window fitting, which comprises a pair of transparent glass panes between which a window blind (e.g., of the venetian blind type) is mounted. Solar cells are secured...     

A photovoltaic window assembly suitable for use in building and vehicular applications. The window assembly includes an optically-transmissive substrate having one or more photovoltaic devices disposed thereon. A decorative template having cut-outs coextensive with each of the photovoltaic devices is...     

A photovoltaic roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panels each having a photovoltaic device thereupon and each including an electrical connector engageable with a connector on another panel. The panels includes upstanding flanges and a batten and seam roof construction may be readily configured...