Photovoltaic module for use on roof to produce energy, has solar cells arranged on substrate, predominantly covered with expandable material and arranged in such manner that solar cells are partly spaced to each other

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This patent describes a photovoltaic module designed for rooftop installation that features solar cells arranged on a substrate comprised of an expandable material. The solar cells, which may be printed, organic, or thin film types (such as CIS or CIGS), are partially spaced apart and predominantly covered with another layer of expandable material like polyurethane or thermoplastic. This structure improves flexibility and coverage efficiency.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Residential and commercial rooftop solar energy systems
• Flexible solar panels for irregularly shaped or curved roofing surfaces
• Lightweight and portable solar energy solutions for temporary or mobile installations
• Building-integrated photovoltaics where the module must conform to varying surfaces

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enhanced flexibility allowing installation on non-flat or complex roofs
• Improved durability and impact resistance due to use of expandable materials
• Potentially lighter weight compared to traditional panels, easing installation
• Better surface coverage of roofs (50-80%) compared to conventional rigid panels
• Compatibility with various thin-film and printed solar cell technologies

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The module (1) has solar cells (6) arranged on a substrate (2), which consists of an expandable material. The cells are predominantly covered with another expandable material and arranged in such a manner that the cells are partly spaced to each other, where the latter expandable material is polyurethane or thermoplastic. The cells cover a surface of the substrate to about 50 to 80 percent. The cells are designed as printed solar cells, organic solar cells and thin film solar cells such as carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) and/or Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) cells. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing a photovoltaic module.