Solyndra, LLC

Applied Materials, Inc.

Tim Leong

Brian Cumpston

Benyamin Buller

Jeffrey C Hudgens

Tetsuya Ishikawa

Mohsen Salek

Frederik W Freerks

Thomas P Frangesh

James R Ciulik

Al DiFrancesco

Timothy Y Wang

Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.

Volume compensation within a photovoltaic device

A solar panel apparatus includes a set of photovoltaic modules. The modules are configured to photovoltaically generate electricity from light. Each module is elongated along an axis and has first and second axially opposite ends. An end rail has a groove into which the first end of each module is potted in place with potting material.

Arrangement for securing elongated solar cells

A photovoltaic device having (i) an outer transparent casing, (ii) a substrate, the substrate and the outer transparent casing defining an inner volume, (iii) at least one solar cell on the substrate, (iv) a filler layer sealing the at least one solar cell and (v) a container within the inner volume is provided. The container decreases in volume when the filler layer expands, and increases in volume when the filler layer contracts. In some instances, the container is sealed and has a plurality of ridges. In some instances, the container has an opening that is sealed by a spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening is sealed by a first spring loaded seal and the second opening is sealed by a second spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has an elongated asteroid shape.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.

Apparatus and methods for connecting multiple photovoltaic modules

The present invention generally provides a robot blade which provides a plurality of semi-conductive or conductive contacts disposed at least partially on the surface of the blade to support a substrate above the blade. The contacts are preferably located inwardly from the edge of the blade and toward the center of the blade to provide a collection area on the blade to capture any particles which may form. The blade is preferably made of a semi-conductive material, such as alumina or other semi-conductive material, to provide an electrical flow path through the contact(s) to discharge any electrical charge which may build up on the substrate during processing.

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Danville, CA, United States of America

Tim Leong