| SunPower Corporation Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120025837 | METHOD TO DICE BACK-CONTACT SOLAR CELLS - A method of processing of solar cells includes determining that a back-contact solar cell is defective. The back-contact solar cell includes a first plurality of interconnect pads at a first edge thereof, and a second plurality of interconnect pads at a second, opposed thereof, the first and second pluralities of interconnect pads having opposite operational charges. The back-contact solar cell is then diced to define at least first and second back-contact solar cell sections. The first back-contact solar cell section has at least two interconnect pads, of the plurality of interconnect pads, at respective opposed edges thereof. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20110232715 | MINIMALLY PENETRATING PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A SLOPED ROOF AND RELATED METHODS - An assembly which is lightweight includes an interconnected array of PV modules, where each PV modules is defined in part by a module outer perimeter portion. This array is defined in part by an outer perimeter portion including an upper edge portion, side edge portions, and a lower edge portion. The array is secured to a sloped roof along at least one of the upper or lower edge portion of the array. The assembly further includes interlocking features along the module outer perimeter portion which distribute uplift forces to adjacent PV modules. Additionally included is at least one wind deflector located along the lower edge of the array and non-penetrating base feet disposed on the sloped roof supporting at least a portion of the array. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110193561 | CHUCKS FOR SUPPORTING SOLAR CELL IN HOT SPOT TESTING - In an embodiment, a chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing is provided. This embodiment of the chuck comprises a base portion and a support portion disposed above the base portion. The support portion is configured to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110185652 | Integrated Composition Shingle PV System - An integrated composition shingle PV system is interengageable with composition shingles, the composition shingles being arranged in overlapping rows on an inclined support surface. The system comprises a carrier mountable on the support surface. The carrier has flashing along its peripheral edge. The rear flashing is positionable under a first row of overlapping rows of composition shingles. The left side and right side flashing are interengageable with second and third rows of overlapping rows of composition shingles. The front flashing is positionable on top of another row of overlapping rows of composite shingles. A PV laminate is secured to and supported by the carrier. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110178641 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN DIFFUSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND RELATED METHODS - A method includes collecting site specific data, collecting field data at a site of an array of photovoltaic members, determining a current tracked irradiance of the array of photovoltaic members, calculating predicted irradiance for multiple orientations based on the site specific data and the sensed field data, or sensing an actual irradiance for multiple orientations. The method further includes determining a maximum predicted irradiance from the calculated predicted irradiance or a maximum actual irradiance from the sensed irradiance. The method further includes comparing the maximum predicted irradiance or the maximum sensed irradiance with the current tracked irradiance, and re-orienting the array of photovoltaic members to an orientation having the maximum predicted or actual irradiance if the maximum predicted or actual irradiance is greater than the current tracked irradiance. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110155120 | Torque Arm Assembly and Method - A torque arm assembly, used with a solar collector mounted to a drive shaft, comprises a torque arm with first and second ends and a torque arm coupling assembly including a drive shaft enclosure defining an open-ended channel sized to house the drive shaft. The channel has a circumferentially extending substantially continuous drive surface between the ends that lies adjacent to the drive shaft so the drive shaft and the drive shaft enclosure rotate together. In some examples, contiguous abutment structure, such as weld lines, shims and/or adhesive, connects each side of the drive shaft to the drive shaft enclosure. The invention may also be carried out as a connection improvement method. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110120524 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic assembly which is removably and replaceably mounted on the reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic receptor to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110114158 | REPLACEABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF PANEL - A replaceable building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) module system for mounting as roofing structures on a building is disclosed. The BIPV module system comprises a module and engagement means coupled to the building, the engagement means adapted to couple to the coupling means to releaseably couple the module to the building. The module comprises a photovoltaic laminate and a frame surrounding substantially entirely the perimeter of the photovoltaic laminate, the frame comprising coupling means. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110114153 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR COLLECTION AND TRACKING SYSTEM - A photovoltaic sun tracking system including a photovoltaic assembly, a first mounting structure, and a second mounting structure. The photovoltaic assembly includes at least one PV cell maintained by framework defining a PV plane. The first and second mounting structures are mounted to a support surface and rotatably maintain the framework at first and second pivot points, respectively, to establish a tracking axis passing through the pivot points. The tracking axis is non-parallel with the PV plane. The photovoltaic assembly can be rocked along the tracking axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth. One or both of the mounting structures can be relatively small, and the off-parallel tracking axis promotes increased efficiency over the course of a year. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110113704 | WATER-RESISTANT APPARATUSES FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - A water-resistant apparatus is provided. This water-resistant apparatus is positioned near a photovoltaic module. The water-resistant apparatus includes hollow, elongated conduits, and each conduit can hold water with surface tension based on exposure of the conduit to water. The surface tension causes a formation of a meniscus that inhibits a flow of water through the conduit. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110062148 | INDUCTION SOLDERING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS - A method comprises positioning a pair of photovoltaic wafers in a side-by-side arrangement. An interconnect is placed on the pair of wafers such that the interconnect overlaps both wafers of the pair, solder material being provided between the interconnect and the respective wafers. A solder head is then located adjacent the interconnect, and the coil is energized to effect inductive heating of the solder material. The solder head comprises an induction coil shaped to define an eye, and a magnetic field concentrator located at least partially in the eye of the coil. The magnetic field concentrator defines a passage extending axially through the eye of the coil, and may be of a material with a high magnetic permeability. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20100217724 | AUTOMATED SOLAR COLLECTOR INSTALLATION DESIGN INCLUDING VERSION MANAGEMENT - Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre-defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. Some embodiments may provide viewing, creating, and manipulating of multiple versions of a solar collector layout design for a particular installation worksite. The use of versions may allow analysis of alternative layouts, alternative feature classifications, and cost and performance data corresponding to alternative design choices. Version summary information providing a representative comparison between versions across a number of dimensions may be provided. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217639 | AUTOMATED SOLAR COLLECTOR INSTALLATION DESIGN INCLUDING EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION MANAGEMENT AND DISPLAY - Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre-defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. In some embodiments, metadata about the design process, including the process of classifying features and providing user input, generating layouts, and then modifying those layouts, may be generated. The metadata may include information about exceptional conditions in the project state information or design. A list of exceptions corresponding to exceptional conditions may be generated, and the designer may interact with these exceptions in a variety of ways, such as by complying with rules to remove an item from the exceptions list or overriding the application of the rules. The exceptions may be non-blocking relative to other user actions. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217566 | AUTOMATED SOLAR COLLECTOR INSTALLATION DESIGN INCLUDING ABILITY TO DEFINE HETEROGENEOUS DESIGN PREFERENCES - Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre-defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. Embodiments may also include definition of one or more design apertures, each of which may correspond to boundaries in which solar collector layouts should comply with distinct sets of user-defined design preferences. Distinct apertures may provide heterogeneous regions of collector layout according to the user-defined design preferences. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217565 | AUTOMATED SOLAR COLLECTOR INSTALLATION DESIGN - Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre-defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100212715 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING - A PV assembly including framework, PV laminate(s), and a stiffening device. The framework includes a perimeter frame at least 10 feet in length and at least 5 feet in width. The PV laminate(s) are assembled to the perimeter frame to define a receiving zone having a depth of not more than 8 inches. The stiffening device is associated with the framework and is configured to provide a first state and a second state. In the first state, an entirety of the stiffening device is maintained within the receiving zone. In the second state, at least a portion of the stiffening device projects from the receiving zone. The stiffening device enhances a stiffness of the PV assembly in a plane of the perimeter frame, and can include rods defining truss structures. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100139646 | Torque Arm Assembly and Method - A torque arm assembly, used with a solar collector mounted to a drive shaft, comprises a torque arm with first and second ends and a torque arm coupling assembly including a drive shaft enclosure defining an open-ended channel sized to house the drive shaft. The channel has a circumferentially extending substantially continuous drive surface between the ends that lies adjacent to the drive shaft so the drive shaft and the drive shaft enclosure rotate together. In some examples contiguous abutment structure, such as weld lines, shims and/or adhesive, connects each side of the drive shaft to the drive shaft enclosure. The invention may also be carried out as a connection improvement method. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100071744 | Photovoltaic Installation With Automatic Disconnect Device - A PV installation comprises a PV array, an electrical interface connecting a utility power source to an electrical load, and a DC to AC inverter. A first set of wiring electrically connects the PV array to the inverter through a disconnect device and a second set of wiring electrically connects the inverter to the electrical interface. A control mechanism connects the disconnect device to the electrical interface so that when power from the electrical interface is removed, the PV array is electrically disconnected from the inverter. The disconnect device may be a remote disconnect device located at a position at or near the PV array, such as in the space beneath a roof supporting the PV array. A method electrically disconnects a PV array from electrical wiring at a site. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20090302831 | METHOD FOR ENABLING MONITORING OF POWER CONSUMPTION - Power consumption at a site is monitored. An electrical load is connected to a power source by an electrical conductor. A fuel-less energy producing device is electrically connected to a junction along the electrical conductor. A current sensor is electromagnetically coupled to the electrical conductor at a sensing position between the power source and the junction to create a current sensor signal. Sensed current and voltage signals are produced from the current sensor signal. A sensed phase relationship between the sensed signals is determined and compared to a baseline phase relationship to determine the direction of current flow through the conductor. A power source signal, based on the current flowing through the conductor at the sensing position, is created. With some examples a Rogowski type differential current sensor is used. In some examples a single current sensor is used. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090025708 | Rolling Motion Tracking Solar Assembly - A tracking solar assembly includes a base, a first support and a second support. A solar panel is mountable the base. The first support may comprise a first curved, rolling surface fixed relative to the base. The first and second supports are engageable with the support surface. The first curved surface can be rolled along the support surface to move the base between first and second orientations. The base and any solar panel may have sufficient weight to be inherently stable and resist wind loads without being secured to the support surface. The invention may comprise means for biasing the base to a chosen orientation at or between the first orientation and the second orientation. The upper surface of the base may have open regions extending into the base with solar panels mounted within the open regions with the open regions acting as solar concentrators for the solar panels. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090000220 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE MOUNTING CLIP WITH INTEGRAL GROUNDING - An electrically conductive mounting/grounding clip, usable with a photovoltaic (PV) assembly of the type having an electrically conductive frame, comprises an electrically conductive body. The body has a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion. Each arm has first and second outer portions with frame surface-disrupting element at the outer portions. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080245360 | Tilt Assembly for Tracking Solar Collector Assembly - A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the drive arm mimics movement of the drive element. Drive element couplers can extend in opposite directions from the outer portion of the drive arm, whereby the assembly can be used between adjacent solar collector assemblies in a row of solar collector assemblies. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080230047 | Stackable Tracking Solar Collector Assembly - A solar collector assembly may include a frame supporting a solar collector and a frame member defining a tilted pivot axis. Support struts may be used to elevate one end of the frame and may be pivoted between an orientation generally parallel to the frame member and to an orientation generally away from the frame. Anchorless, ballast type bases may be used to support the solar collector assembly. Several assemblies may be stacked on top of one another in a storage or transportation configuration using spacers extending between the frames. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080210301 | METAL CONTACT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - In a solar cell having p doped regions and n doped regions alternately formed in a surface of a semiconductor wafer in offset levels through use of masking and etching techniques, metal contacts are made to the p regions and n regions by first forming a base layer contacting the p doped regions and n doped regions which functions as an antireflection layer, and then forming a barrier layer, such as titanium tungsten or chromium, and a conductive layer such as copper over the barrier layer. Preferably the conductive layer is a plating layer and the thickness thereof can be increased by plating. | 09-04-2008 |
