Sunpower Corporation

Zachary Kinyon

Ryan Braunstein

Guillaume Carre

David Matrat

Douglas H Rose

John Gannon

Nick McKibben

Karen Elizabeth Wilson

Nicholas Mckibben

A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

Clamps for solar system

Clamps for solar systems

A solar power system can include an array of solar modules. The system can include a rail and a solar module positioned at an outer end of the array. The solar module can have a frame around a periphery of the solar module. The frame can include a flange along an edge of the solar module that is disposed at the outer end of the array. The flange can project inwardly from the frame underneath the solar module. A clamp assembly can be disposed underneath the solar module and can mechanically secure the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can include a clamp body and a base. The clamp body and the base can cooperate to clamp the flange between the clamp body and the rail.

End clamps for solar systems

A photovoltaic assembly for converting solar radiation to electrical energy is described. The photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic module and an electronic component housing. The photovoltaic module has a frame, a laminate, a plurality of solar cells and a backsheet. The electronic component housing has an upper section to couple to the backsheet, a middle section and a lower section for enclosing electronic components. The electronic components can include a microinverter or electronics for a junction box. The middle section can have a heat sink in thermal communication with the electronic component and an opening. The opening can be a plurality of openings having a plurality of air fins distributed therein, or can be a diagonal or curved structure. The opening can permit fluid communication between the heat sink and an ambient environment. The upper section and/or the aforementioned air fins can also be coupled to the backsheet via a heat conductive adhesive.

Electronic component housing with heat sink

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.

Growing community of inventors

Walnut Creek, CA, United States of America

Zachary Kinyon