Solar module frame member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12562679-B2
Application number	US-202118260076-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2021
Priority date	Dec 30, 2020
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

A frame member for a bifacial solar module. The frame member comprises a retaining portion (or e.g. a holder) configured to retain (or e.g. hold) a longitudinally extending edge of a solar module, such that the solar module, when retained (or e.g. held) by the retaining portion, extends laterally inwardly from the retaining portion along a reference plane. The frame member also includes a reflector surface disposed rearwardly and laterally inwardly of the retaining portion. The reflector surface slopes in a direction away from the reference plane such that light passing through the reference plane and onto the reflector surface is reflected by the reflector surface in a forward and laterally inward direction.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A frame member for a bifacial solar module, the frame member comprising:
a retaining portion configured to retain a longitudinally extending edge of a solar module, such that the solar module, when retained by the retaining portion, extends laterally inwardly from the retaining portion along a reference plane, wherein the retaining portion comprises a front retaining member and a rear retaining member, the front and rear retaining members spaced from one another so as to define a recess for receipt of the longitudinally extending edge of the solar module; and a reflector surface disposed rearwardly and laterally inwardly of the retaining portion, the reflector surface sloping in a direction away from the reference plane such that light passing through the reference plane and onto the reflector surface is reflected by the reflector surface in a forward and laterally inward direction, wherein the reflector surface and the retaining portion form a singular body; a reflector extending rearwardly and laterally inwardly from the rear retaining member, the reflector surface being an outer surface of the reflector; a sidewall from which front and rear retaining members project laterally inwardly; and a base member extending laterally inwardly from the sidewall to a rearward end of the reflector; wherein the reflector extends from the rear retaining member to the base member.

2 . A frame member according to claim 1 wherein the reflector surface is arranged such that, in use, a light ray passing through a first location on the reference plane, and incident on the reflector surface, is reflected by the reflector surface towards a second location on the reference plane spaced laterally inwardly from the first location by a distance that is greater than 1 mm.

3 . A frame member according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector surface comprises a curved profile.

4 . A frame member according to claim 3 where the reflector surface comprises a radius of curvature of between 5 and 30 mm.

5 . A frame member according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector surface comprises a concave profile.

6 . A frame member according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector surface extends from a front edge to a rear edge.

7 . A frame member according to claim 6 , wherein the front edge joins the reflector surface to the rear retaining member.

8 . A frame member according to claim 6 , wherein the rear edge is spaced rearwardly from the retaining portion by a distance of between 10 and 50 mm.

9 . A frame member according to claim 6 , wherein the rear edge is spaced laterally inwardly from the retaining portion by a distance of between 5 and 40 mm.

10 . A frame member according to claim 1 wherein the base member is wider than each of the front and rear retaining members.

11 . A frame member according to claim 1 , that further comprises an intermediate wall extending rearwardly from the rear retaining member to the base member.

12 . A frame member according to claim 1 , further comprising a constant transverse cross-sectional shape for a substantial portion of its length.

13 . A frame member according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion or the reflector surface are formed by extrusion.

14 . A frame member according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector extends from an end of the rear retaining member to an end of the base member.

15 . A frame member for a bifacial solar module, the frame member comprising:
retaining portion configured to retain a longitudinally extending edge of a solar module, such that the solar module, when retained by the retaining portion, extends laterally inwardly from the retaining portion along a reference plane; a reflector surface disposed rearwardly and laterally inwardly of the retaining portion, the reflector surface sloping in a direction a way from the reference plane such that light passing through the reference plane and onto the reflector surface is reflected by the reflector surface in a forward and laterally inward direction, wherein the reflector surface a od the retaining portion form a singular body; a hole extending through the frame member for mounting the frame member to a further surface, wherein the hole extends from the reflector surface through the frame member.

16 . A frame member for a bifacial solar module, the frame member comprising:
retaining portion configured to retain a longitudinally extending edge of a solar module, such that the solar module, when retained by the retaining portion, extends laterally inwardly from the retaining portion along a reference plane; a reflector surface disposed rearwardly and laterally inwardly of the retaining portion, the reflector surface sloping in a direction a way from the reference plane such that light passing through the reference plane and onto the reflector surface is reflected by the reflector surface in a forward and laterally inward direction, wherein the reflector surface a od the retaining portion form a singular body; a hole extending through the frame member for mounting the frame member to a further surface; and wherein the reflector surface comprises a recess formed therein such that the reflector surface is discontinuous, and wherein the hole is formed in the recess.

17 . A frame member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sidewall, the rear retaining member, the reflector surface, and the base member enclose an elongate cavity therebetween, and wherein the frame member is formed by extrusion to form an extruded hollow section.

18 . A solar module assembly comprising:
a bifacial solar module comprising an array of solar cells, the array of solar cells spaced from at least one edge of the solar module such that a peripheral region is defined between the at least one edge and the array of solar cells; and a frame member comprising:
a retaining portion for retaining the at least one edge of the solar module, the retaining portion comprises a front retaining member and a rear retaining member, the front and rear retaining members spaced from one another so as to define a recess for receipt of the at least one edge of the solar module; and
a reflector surface extending from a longitudinally extending forward edge to a longitudinally extending rearward edge thereof, the reflector surface rearward of the peripheral region and arranged such that light passing through the peripheral region and onto the reflector surface is reflected towards the array of solar cells,
wherein the reflector surface comprises a curved concave profile, and the reflector surface forms an outer surface of a reflector of the frame member, the reflector extending rearwardly and laterally inwardly from the rear retaining member of the retaining portion.

Assignees

• Rec Solar Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Wu Meng Hsiu

Classifications

• H10F19/807

  Double-glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets · CPC title

• H02S40/22 Primary

  Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means (directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H10F77/42) · CPC title

• H10F19/80

  Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• Y02E10/52

  PV systems with concentrators · CPC title