Photovoltaic cladding element for building has solar cells connected in strings protected against hot-spots by Schottky diode chips acting as bypass diodes

摘要

The photovoltaic cladding element has a number of solar cells sandwiched between cover plates and connected together in strings, with each string protected by bypass diodes against heating of individual solar cells which are not illuminated. The diodes are provided by Schottky diode chips which are metallised on both sides, positioned adjacent the solar cells between the cover plates.