Sunpower Corporation

Keith Johnston

Ryan J Linderman

Zachary Steele Judkins

Matthew J Dawson

Thomas Phu

Lewis C Abra

Nicholas Ford

David B DeGraaff

Kevin C Fischer

Steven M Kraft

Nicholas Boitnott

Greg Beardsworth

Doug Rose

A photovoltaic (PV) system can include one or more trackers that each includes a plurality of rows of PV collection devices. The rows of PV collection devices can be electrically independent from one another.

Electrical independence of tracker rows

A photovoltaic system includes solar cells and an inverter configured to convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point (MPP) tracking module configured to perform MPP tracking for the photovoltaic system. The MPP tracking module is configured to detect shading of the solar cells and to modify its MPP tracking to prevent tracking of local MPPs. The MPP tracking module may be incorporated in the inverter.

Photovoltaic systems with local maximum power point tracking prevention and methods for operating same

A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.

Circuits and methods for limiting open circuit voltage of photovoltaic strings

A photovoltaic (PV) system can include strings of PV collection devices. A positive parallel bus can be coupled to positive terminals of first and second strings and a negative parallel bus can be coupled to negative terminals of first and second strings.

Parallel bus

Arrangements of diodes and heat spreaders for solar modules are described. For example, a solar module may include a backsheet with a low profile, surface-mount diode disposed above the backsheet. A pair of ribbon interconnects is coupled to the low profile, surface-mount diode and may penetrate the backsheet.

Diode and heat spreader for solar module

Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.

Interconnect for an optoelectronic device

Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.

Device for shunting current from photovoltaic circuit near the open circuit voltage and/or disconnecting solar module of a solar system

Optoelectronic devices with bypass diodes are described. An optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, and extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit. Another optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, but not extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit.

Optoelectronic device with bypass diode

Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. An interconnect may include a stress relief feature. An interconnect may include an L-shaped feature.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Keith Johnston