Electrical connectors for solar modules

Abstract

A solar module is disclosed that has one or more integrated electrical connectors. In addition, a solar module electrical connector holder is disclosed that has resilient wing portions and axial portions that mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame. In addition, a solar module frame is disclosed that has a first connector window in one of the side frame members that is capable of accepting an electrical connection so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module.

1 . A solar module system with a retractable electrical connector; comprising:
 a first and second side frame members;   a top frame member;   a bottom frame member wherein the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member are connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel;   an electrical connector with a mating region that is connected to at least one of the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member; and   wherein the electrical connector has a retracted position in which the mating region of the electrical connector is within the frame and protected from damage and an install position in which the mating region of the electrical connector is extended beyond the frame so that the mating region can be mated with an electrical connector of an adjacent solar panel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second solar module having a first and second side frame members, a top frame member, a bottom frame member wherein the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member are connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel and an electrical connector with a mating region that is connected to at least one of the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member of the second solar module; and
 wherein the electrical connectors of the solar module and the second solar module are mated to each other by the mating regions of the electrical connectors. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the side members further comprises a first connector window in one of the side frame members and the electrical connection is coupled to the first connector window so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the side members further comprises a second connector window in the one of the side frame members adjacent to the first connector window, and a second electrical connection being coupled to the second connector window so that the first and second electrical connections are integrated into the frame of the solar module. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first electrical connection is a female electrical connection and the second electrical connection is a male electrical connection that ensure the electrical connection to the solar module is properly made. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first electrical connection further comprises an electrical connector and a connector holder wherein the electrical connector is seated in the connector holder, the connector holder mates with the first connector window and the connector holder allows a position of the electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally, axially and angularly with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the connector holder further comprises a body portion, a first resilient wing portion attached to the body portion and a second resilient wing portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second resilient wing portions mate with the first connector window. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the connector holder further comprises a first axial portion attached to the body portion and a second axial portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second axial portions permits the electrical connector to be moved axially within the connector holder. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first electrical connection and second electrical connection each further comprise an electrical connector and a connector holder wherein the electrical connector is seated in the connector holder, the connector holder mates with the first connector window and the connector holder allows a position of the electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally, axially and angularly with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the connector holder further comprises a body portion, a first resilient wing portion attached to the body portion and a second resilient wing portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second resilient wing portions mate with the first connector window. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the connector holder further comprises a first axial portion attached to the body portion and a second axial portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second axial portions permits the electrical connector to be moved axially within the connector holder. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mating region further comprises a first axial portion attached to the body portion and a second axial portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second axial portions permits an electrical connector to be moved axially within the connector holder and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved axially with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         13 . A method for electrically connecting a solar module, the method comprising:
 providing a first and second side frame members, a top frame member, a bottom frame member wherein the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member are connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel, an electrical connector with a mating region that is connected to at least one of the first and second side frame members, the top frame member and the bottom frame member;   retracting the electrical connector of the solar module so that the mating region of the electrical connector is within the frame and protected from damage; and   extending the electrical connector of the solar module so that the mating region of the electrical connector is extended beyond the frame so that the mating region can be mated with an electrical connector of an adjacent solar panel.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising seating the electrical connector in a connector holder that allows a position of the electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally, axially and angularly with respect to the frame.