Aggregated photovoltaic panels

Abstract

Photovoltaic panels may be aggregated in various ways and may be aggregated with the use of a backplane where the backplane comprises electrical connectors positioned to electrically connect the PV panels. The PV panels may have various sizes and shapes and may overlap one or more other PV panels or PV panels being aggregated.

1 . A modular photovoltaic system comprising:
 a plurality of discrete photovoltaic panels, each of the panels comprising a photovoltaic cell; and   a backplane, the backplane comprising a plurality of exposed electrical connectors, the electrical connectors positioned to electrically couple with at least one photovoltaic panel of the plurality of panels,
 the backplane further comprising a first electrical wire, the first electrical wire electrically connected to at least one of the exposed electrical connectors, and the backplane positioned underneath one or more of the panels. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the exposed electrical connectors are vias and wherein the backplane is a laminate. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a dummy panel, the dummy panel devoid of PV cells and mechanically coupled to the backplane or to one or more photovoltaic panels or both. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a panel sealing flap,
 wherein the panels are positioned to overlap each other along at least one side, 
 wherein the panel sealing flap is positioned at an overlap of panels, and 
 wherein the sealing flap comprises a flexible area, the flexible area devoid of PV cells, the flexible area comprising electrical ribbon connectors. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the backplane has a front planar surface and a back planar surface and the distance between these planar surfaces is not greater than three inches. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the backplane further comprises a second wire and a third wire, each of these two wires connected to at least one of the exposed electrical connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the exposed electrical connector is a press fit connector providing electrical connection when a panel mates with the connector in an engaged position. 
     
     
         8 . A modular photovoltaic system comprising:
 a plurality of discrete photovoltaic panels, each of the panels comprising a photovoltaic cell;   a first discrete backplane, the first backplane comprising a plurality of electrical panel connection ribbons,   wherein the panels are electrically connected to at least one ribbon of the plurality of electrical panel connection ribbons,   wherein the panels are mechanically connected to the first backplane.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first backplane further comprises one or more electrical vias, the one or more vias providing electrical contact access to at least one ribbon of the plurality of electrical panel connection ribbons, and wherein the panels each comprise a connector flap, the connector flap overhanging an externally accessible panel electrical connector. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first backplane is a laminate and comprises an exposed mounting surface upon which the panels are mechanically connected and wherein the plurality of discrete photovoltaic panels comprises photovoltaic subpanels. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the panels are electrically connected to the ribbon through one or more vias present in the first backplane and wherein each of the panels of the plurality are shingled over or below at least one other panel of the plurality. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a second discrete backplane, the second backplane comprising a plurality of electrical panel connection ribbons, the second backplane electrically connected to the first backplane, the first backplane and the second backplane each comprising a first material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein a panel of the plurality is mechanically connected to the first backplane and the second backplane and wherein a fill material is positioned between a panel of the plurality and the first backplane. 
     
     
         14 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the backplane is a discrete solid laminate backplane comprising two or more layers adhesively connected to one another to form the solid laminate. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first discrete backplane has a front planar surface and a back planar surface and the distance between these planar surfaces is not greater than three inches. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first discrete backplane comprises two or more layers adhesively connected to one another to form a solid laminate. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a dummy panel, the dummy panel devoid of PV cells and mechanically coupled to the first discrete backplane or to the first discrete photovoltaic panel or both.