US 12,283,914 B2
Cost effective frame design for thinner wafers
Noel G. Diesta, Singapore (SG); and Shankar Gauri Sridhara, Singapore (SG)
Assigned to REC SOLAR PTE. LTD., Singapore (SG)
Filed by REC SOLAR PTE. LTD., Singapore (SG)
Filed on Jun. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/327,407.
Application 18/327,407 is a continuation of application No. 16/618,661, granted, now 11,671,051, previously published as PCT/IB2018/053933, filed on Jun. 1, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 1708735 (GB), filed on Jun. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0318526 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. H02S 30/10 (2014.01); H02S 40/34 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 30/10 (2014.12) [H02S 40/34 (2014.12)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar module comprising:
a solar laminate comprising a plurality of solar cells interposed between a transparent front cover sheet and a rear cover sheet;
a frame enclosing the solar laminate at lateral edges of the solar laminate;
a reinforcement strut arranged at a rear surface of the solar laminate between opposing portions of the frame;
a spacer element cooperating with the frame so as to push the reinforcement strut in a direction towards the laminate; and
wherein the frame has a frame surface and a frame thickness, the frame surface being defined by a length of the frame multiplied by a width of the frame;
wherein a ratio between the frame surface and the frame thickness is between 45000 and 70000, with dimensions of the frame being measured in millimetres;
wherein the spacer element and the reinforcement strut comprises two separate and non-integral elements;
wherein the spacer element is made with an electrically conductive material; and
wherein the spacer element comprises at least one ridge which protrudes towards the frame or towards the reinforcement strut to scratch an electrically isolating oxide layer at a surface of the frame or the reinforcement strut and to thereby establish an electrical connection between the frame and the reinforcement strut wherein the spacer element comprises a planar surface facing the frame or reinforcement strut, and wherein the ridge protrudes from the planar surface towards the frame or towards the reinforcement strut.