Laminated pane comprising a photovoltaic module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laminated pane (10) for a vehicle, at least comprising: - an outer pane (1) and an inner pane (2) which are joined face to face via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), - a photovoltaic module (4) having a number of individual photovoltaic cells (5) which are electrically interconnected in a series circuit (S) between two external terminals (7), wherein the photovoltaic module (4) comprises a bypass element (6) bypassing at least one of the photovoltaic cells (5) and is located between the outer pane (1) and the inner pane (2), wherein the bypass element (6) comprises a diode, and wherein, if a photovoltaic cell (5) is shaded or defective, the bypass element (6) acts as a current bypass for the shaded or defective photovoltaic cell (5).

Description

[0001] Composite pane with photovoltaic module

[0002] The invention relates to a composite pane with a photovoltaic module for vehicles, and a method for operating a photovoltaic module in the composite pane.

[0003] Laminated glass panels made of two or more glass or polymer panes are used in vehicles as windshields, rear windows, side windows, and roof windows. Individual sides of the panes can be coated with one or more functional coatings that exhibit infrared-reflecting, anti-reflective, or low-E properties.

[0004] Equipping vehicle roof windows with photovoltaic modules is known. WO 2013 / 182399 discloses a roof window with an integrated photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is embedded in the intermediate layer connecting an outer pane and an inner pane of the composite pane. When manufacturing vehicle roof windows with a photovoltaic module, the module can be laminated either between a flexible film and a glass pane or between two glass panes. Arrangement between two glass panes is preferred.

[0005] The photovoltaic module is arranged over a large area in the composite pane, particularly as a roof pane. Partial shading of individual photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module can occur repeatedly during operation. This shading can be caused by neighboring buildings or trees. Such shading can lead to performance losses of the photovoltaic module, especially if the photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module are connected in series. Furthermore, the above solution has been shown to be disadvantageous in many areas, as the photovoltaic module connection must be installed in a separate junction box outside the composite pane. The junction box takes up a lot of space.

[0006] WO2018 / 209240 A1 discloses a solar module for installation in a motor vehicle, comprising a front panel with a curvature in at least two directions and at least one set of strings. Each string consists of a plurality of strips of a solar cell. EP 2797121 A1 discloses a glass-glass solar module laminate with solar cells. The glass-glass solar module laminate has internal solar cells and a plurality of contacted switching elements with or without a frame.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved composite pane with a photovoltaic module, which is space-saving and reduces performance losses in the case of partial shading.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a composite pane according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are evident from the subclaims.

[0009] The composite pane according to the invention for a vehicle comprises an outer pane and an inner pane, which are bonded to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer. The composite pane further comprises a photovoltaic module with a number of individual photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series between two external terminals, and at least one bypass element. The photovoltaic module is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, with the bridging bypass element being provided on at least one of the photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module. As a result, the current flow of the shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell is not interrupted, but is guided past the photovoltaic cell by the bridging bypass element. The bypass element is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane.This arrangement allows the space required for a junction box to be minimized, as an additional junction box outside the composite pane is unnecessary.

[0010] The advantage of the invention lies in the inventive integration of the bypass element into the composite pane. This eliminates the need for a bulky junction box with a switching element outside the composite pane, and minimizes performance losses in the event of shading or malfunction of one or more photovoltaic cells. The integration of the bypass element into the composite pane creates a compact and cost-effective solution.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bypass element is connected in parallel to at least one photovoltaic cell, preferably in parallel to a series connection (electrical string) of photovoltaic cells. In the event of shading or malfunction of a photovoltaic cell to which the bypass element is connected in parallel, a current bypass is achieved for the shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell.

[0012] The bypass element can comprise a diode or other electronic components. In the case of a shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell, the bypass element can act as a current bypass for the shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic module can have a plurality of bypass elements, wherein in each case one bypass element is provided for bridging a series connection of at least two photovoltaic cells. In the case of at least one shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell, the bypass element acts as a current bypass for the series connection containing the at least one shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell. Preferably, in each case one bypass element is connected anti-parallel to a series connection of at least two photovoltaic cells.As a result, the current flow in the (non-shaded) photovoltaic cells connected in series with the shaded photovoltaic cell is not interrupted, so that the current power of the non-shaded photovoltaic cells is available. The series connection preferably comprises 2 to 30, particularly preferably 12 to 24, serially connected photovoltaic cells. By connecting photovoltaic cells in series (serially), the photovoltaic module acquires flexibility, which advantageously allows for the realization of composite panes with a strong curvature.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic module comprises 1 to 10 series connections of at least two photovoltaic cells. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly large surface area and thus a high performance of the photovoltaic module. Two photovoltaic cells can be electrically contacted with one another via a conductor made of copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin or alloys thereof. The conductors are preferably designed as ribbons, strips or wires. The conductors preferably have a thickness of 50 μm to 100 μm, and a width of 0.5 mm to 10 mm. Width refers, for example, to the dimension of the conductors along which the conductors are in contact with an electrode of the photovoltaic cell. The length of the conductors depends on the distance between adjacent photovoltaic cells.A stable connection between conductor and electrode or conductor and flat conductor can be achieved by soldering, welding, bonding, clamping, gluing using an electrically conductive adhesive or by suitable insertion into the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

[0014] A conductor can also be designed as a so-called busbar. A conductor as a busbar is preferably located in the edge region of the photovoltaic module. The busbar preferably contains at least one metal or metal alloy. Particularly suitable materials for the busbar include aluminum, copper, tinned copper, gold, silver, or tin, and alloys thereof. The busbar has, for example, a thickness of 50 μm to 100 μm and a width of 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0015] A photovoltaic cell can have a length of 5 cm to 30 cm, preferably 10 cm to 20 cm, and a width of 2 mm to 5 mm. Furthermore, the photovoltaic cells can be arranged parallel to one another. This advantageously saves space and allows the photovoltaic cells to be easily connected in series via the electrically conductive conductors. This advantageously achieves a large-area coverage of the composite pane with the photovoltaic cells.

[0016] The composite pane is typically intended to separate an interior space from the exterior environment in an opening, in particular a window opening, for example a window opening in a vehicle. In the sense of the invention, the term “inner pane” refers to the pane facing the interior space. The term “outer pane” refers to the pane facing the exterior space and the sun. The outer pane and the inner pane each have an exterior surface and an interior space surface and a circumferential side edge surface running between them. In the sense of the invention, the term “outer surface” refers to the main surface which is intended to face the exterior space and the sun in the installed position. In the sense of the invention, the term “interior space surface” refers to the main surface which is intended to face the interior space in the installed position.The interior surface of the outer pane and the exterior surface of the inner pane face each other and are connected by the intermediate layer.

[0017] The two external connections of the photovoltaic module are preferably led out of the composite pane between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein a current generated at least by the non-shaded or non-faulty photovoltaic cells can be tapped at the two external connections of the photovoltaic module.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic module and the at least one bypass element are embedded in the thermoplastic intermediate layer. This leads to simplified, more cost-effective production of the composite pane. Because one or more bypass elements do not have to be arranged outside the composite pane in a separate junction box, but are embedded in the intermediate layer, the space requirement can be minimized.

[0019] The thermoplastic intermediate layer is preferably based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyurethane (PU), or on mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably based on PVB. This means that the intermediate layer largely contains the said polymer (a proportion greater than 50% by weight). In addition to the polymer, the intermediate layer may contain further additives, for example, plasticizers, UV absorbers, or stabilizers. Each thermoplastic layer serving as an intermediate layer is preferably formed from at least one thermoplastic film. The thickness of each film is preferably between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. For example, PVB films with standard thicknesses of 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm can be used. The intermediate layer may also comprise multiple layers of thermoplastic material and, for example, be formed from multiple polymer films arranged flatly one above the other.The outer pane, the inner pane and the thermoplastic interlayer can be clear and colorless, but can also be tinted or colored.

[0020] The outer pane and the inner pane are preferably glass panes, particularly preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, one or both of the panes can also be made of other types of glass, such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The thicknesses of the outer pane and the inner pane, independently of one another, are preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0021] The composite pane can be flat or curved, in particular cylindrical or spherical. Preferably, the composite pane as a roof pane has a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 800 mm, at least in one region. The composite pane is particularly preferably used as a roof pane of a vehicle, in particular a passenger car or truck.

[0022] The outer pane is preferably transparent, particularly for applications where high light transmission is desired. A pane is considered transparent within the meaning of the invention if it has a transmission in the visible spectral range of greater than 70%. However, for panes that are not in the driver's traffic-relevant field of vision, such as roof panes, the transmission can be much lower, for example, greater than 5%. The area of ​​the composite pane can vary widely and thus be perfectly adapted to the requirements of the individual case. The area of ​​the composite pane as a roof pane can, for example, range from 100 cm 2 up to 5 m 2 preferably 0.5 m 2 up to 3 m 2 .

[0023] The area of ​​the photovoltaic module is preferably between 50% and 100% of the area of ​​the composite pane, for example, between 50% and 90%. This is particularly advantageous with regard to the performance of the integrated photovoltaic module and a uniform appearance of the composite pane. The area of ​​the photovoltaic module can, for example, range from 0.1 m 2 up to 5 m 2 , preferably 0.5 m 2 up to 2 m 2 be.

[0024] A photovoltaic module is designed to generate electrical energy or electric current using the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic module preferably has only two external electrical connections, which form two electrical voltage poles of different polarity (positive and negative poles) for electrical contact. The two external connections are preferably designed as suitable cables, preferably as flat conductors or foil conductors. The external connections are connected to the conductors, preferably bus bars, preferably by gluing, soldering, welding, clamping, or bonding.

[0025] The photovoltaic module comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, preferably a plurality of interconnected photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic module can also be referred to as a photovoltaic module or solar module. A photovoltaic cell can also be referred to as a solar cell and, within the meaning of the invention, is the smallest possible photovoltaic unit, comprising a single photovoltaically active absorber layer between a single front electrode and a single back electrode.

[0026] The photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module are capable of converting sunlight directly into electrical energy. For this purpose, each photovoltaic cell has a photovoltaically active absorber layer between a front electrode and a rear electrode. The front electrode faces the outer pane of the composite pane, and the rear electrode faces the inner pane. The electrodes are typically flat electrodes that cover the entire absorber layer. When sunlight is absorbed, free charge carriers are generated in the absorber layer (photovoltaic effect as a special case of the internal photoelectric effect), which are used to generate electrical energy via the electrodes. The absorber layer often contains doping to optimize the transport of charge carriers to the electrodes.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, the bypass element has a housing with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm. The bypass element is located in the housing, wherein it can be electrically contacted from outside the housing at least two points. The housing can have a square basic shape with a length of greater than 5.9 mm and a width of greater than 5.8 mm. The thickness (height) of the housing is preferably between 50 μm and 0.8 mm, particularly preferably 0.38 mm. Such bypass elements have a low installation height and can therefore be easily and space-savingly integrated into the composite window of a vehicle.

[0028] The bypass element has two flat conductors as connecting lines. The connecting lines protrude from the housing of the bypass element. Each connecting line is preferably less than 10 mm long. The connecting lines of the bypass element preferably contain copper, iron, aluminum, steel, especially spring steel, and alloys thereof, particularly preferably chromium-nickel alloys, copper-iron alloys, brass, or bronze. The connecting lines can be coated with another metal or metal alloy. The connecting lines are preferably silver-plated, gold-plated, tin-plated, galvanized, or nickel-plated.

[0029] The outer pane has at least one transparent area through which sunlight can pass through the outer pane and excite the photovoltaic module. This transparent area of ​​the outer pane therefore defines an active area of ​​the composite pane. The photovoltaic module is arranged (at least partially, in particular largely or even entirely) in the transparent area.

[0030] The composite pane can additionally comprise a cover print, in particular made of a dark, preferably black, enamel. The cover print is in particular a peripheral, i.e. frame-like, cover print, which is thus arranged in a circumferential edge region. The peripheral cover print primarily serves as UV protection for the assembly adhesive of the composite pane. The cover print can be opaque and full-surface. The cover print can also be semi-transparent, at least in sections, for example as a dot matrix, striped matrix or checkered matrix. Alternatively, the cover print can also have a gradient, for example from an opaque covering to a semi-transparent covering. The cover print can be applied to the second surface of the outer pane facing towards the intermediate layer (interior side) or to the second surface of the inner pane facing away from the intermediate layer (interior side).

[0031] The electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module can, for example, be used to cool the battery of an electric vehicle, cool the passenger compartment while parked, charge a secondary battery of the vehicle, or operate a heated window while parked.

[0032] The object is further achieved by a method for operating a photovoltaic module in a composite pane according to the invention, wherein at least one of the photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module is bridged by means of a bypass element in the composite pane in the event of shading or a defect in the photovoltaic cell, so that a current is diverted via the bypass element.

[0033] It goes without saying that the features and the advantages that can be achieved thereby, which have been described with regard to the composite pane according to the invention, are applicable or transferable to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention comprises the use of the composite pane according to the invention as a vehicle pane in means of transport for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular in motor vehicles and in particular as a roof pane.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures and exemplary embodiments. The figures are schematic representations and not to scale. The figures do not limit the invention in any way. The combinations of features shown in the figures are not limiting the invention. Other features or combinations of features mentioned and described above are interchangeable or can be added to or omitted from the embodiments shown.

[0036] They show:

[0037] Figure 1 is a plan view of a composite pane according to the invention with a photovoltaic module,

[0038] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the section line AA' of Figure 1, and

[0039] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a bypass element from Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a composite pane 10 with a photovoltaic module 4. The composite pane 10 is a roof pane, side window, or rear window of a vehicle. The photovoltaic module 4 comprises, for example, 72 photovoltaic cells 5, which are individually electrically connected to one another between two external terminals 7 in series connection S. If, for example, all of the photovoltaic cells 5 are shaded because it is night, the photovoltaic module 4 does not generate any electrical voltage. Accordingly, no voltage is present at the external terminals 7. However, if sunlight falls on the composite pane 10 and thus on the photovoltaic cells 5, the photovoltaic module 4 again generates electrical voltage, which can be tapped at the two external terminals 7.The photovoltaic module 4 can be connected to the vehicle's on-board electrical system via the external connections 7, for example to charge the vehicle battery.

[0040] A series circuit S can, for example, comprise up to 24 photovoltaic cells 5. The photovoltaic module 4 can have multiple series circuits S. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the photovoltaic module 4 comprises a first series circuit S1, a second series circuit S2, and a third series circuit S3, each with 24 photovoltaic cells 5, wherein the three series circuits S1 to S3 are in turn connected in series. The photovoltaic cells 5 are electrically connected to one another and to the two external terminals via conductors 8. The conductors 8 can be designed as so-called busbars.

[0041] Two photovoltaic cells 5 are electrically contacted with one another via the conductor 8 made of copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin or alloys thereof. The conductors 8 between two photovoltaic cells 5 are designed as ribbons, strips or wires. The conductors 8 as ribbons have a thickness of 50 μm to 100 μm, and they have a width of 0.5 mm to 10 mm. Width refers, for example, to the dimension of the conductors 8 along which the conductors 8 are in contact with an electrode of a photovoltaic cell 5. The length of the conductors 8 depends on the distance between adjacent photovoltaic cells 5. A stable connection between conductor 8 and electrode or conductor 8 and flat conductor can be produced by soldering, welding, bonding, clamping, gluing using an electrically conductive adhesive or by suitable insertion into the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

[0042] The composite pane 10 according to Figure 1 has three bypass elements 6. The three bypass elements 6 are integrated into the photovoltaic module 4. A bypass element 6 is a diode and / or another electronic component. The photovoltaic module 4 can have a plurality of bypass elements 6, wherein in each case a bypass element 6 is provided for bridging a series circuit S of at least two photovoltaic cells 5. In Figure 1, a bypass element 6 bridges up to 24 photovoltaic cells 5. If a photovoltaic cell 5 of the first series circuit S1 is shaded, the current flow in the series circuit S1 with a shaded photovoltaic cell 5 is interrupted, but in the further series circuits S2 and S3 with (non-shaded) photovoltaic cells 5 is not interrupted, so that the current power of the non-shaded photovoltaic cells 5 remains available.This ensures that if at least one photovoltaic cell 5 in the first series circuit S1 fails, the current flow can continue through the second series circuit S2 and the third series circuit S3.

[0043] Two external connections 7 of the photovoltaic module 4 extend beyond a side edge of the composite pane 10. The two external connections 7 protrude beyond the side edge of the composite pane 10 and are therefore easily accessible for additional connection elements.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the composite pane 10 along the section line AA' from Figure 1. The composite pane 10 comprises an outer pane 1, a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, the photovoltaic module 4 and an inner pane 2. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 can be designed in multiple layers, with one layer in each case being made of a PVB film with a thickness of 0.76 mm or 0.38 mm. The photovoltaic module 4 is arranged between the outer pane 2 and the inner pane 2, a first thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 is arranged between the outer pane 1 and the photovoltaic module 4 and a second thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 is arranged between the inner pane 2 and the photovoltaic module 4.

[0045] The outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2 are made of soda-lime glass, for example. The outer pane 1 has a thickness of 2.1 mm, for example, while the inner pane 2 has a thickness of 2.1 mm or 1.6 mm. When installed, the outer pane 1 faces the outside environment and thus the sunlight, while the inner pane 2 faces the vehicle interior.

[0046] The first thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 and the second thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 are made of PVB, for example, and each have a thickness of 0.76 mm. Alternatively, the first thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 and the second thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 can be made of PVB, for example, and have a thickness of 0.38 mm.

[0047] In the figures, the composite pane 10, the outer pane 1, and the inner pane 2 are each shown as flat. It is understood that the composite pane 10, the outer pane 1, and the inner pane 2 can be flat or curved. The composite pane 10, the outer pane 1, and the inner pane 2 are preferably each curved.

[0048] The outer pane 1 comprises an outer surface I and an interior surface II. The inner pane 2 comprises an outer surface III and an interior surface IV. The "outer surface" refers to the main surface intended to face the outside environment in the installed position. The "interior surface" refers to the main surface intended to face an interior space in the installed position.

[0049] In addition, the outer pane 1 can have an opaque masking area arranged circumferentially in the edge region and surrounding a central transparent see-through area in a frame-like manner. In the masking area, a black masking print is applied to the interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1 facing the intermediate layer 3. The see-through area is arranged centrally and defines an area of ​​the composite pane 10 in which electrical energy can be generated by the photovoltaic module 4. For this purpose, the photovoltaic module 4 is embedded in the intermediate layer 3 with bypass elements 6. The photovoltaic module 4 is opaque, completely covers the energy-generating area, and extends from there into the masking area. The composite pane 10 can be completely opaque, particularly as a roof pane.

[0050] An emissivity-reducing coating can be applied to the interior-side surface IV of the inner pane 2, facing away from the intermediate layer 3. Such coatings are also known as low-E coatings. The emissivity-reducing coating then has reflective properties in the mid-IR range. The emissivity-reducing coating further reduces the interior-side emissivity of the composite pane 10. In particular, this shields the vehicle interior from the thermal radiation of the inner pane 2. An IR-reflective coating can be applied to the interior-side surface II of the outer pane 1, facing the intermediate layer 3. The IR-reflective coating is then a so-called sun protection coating with IR-reflective properties in the near-IR range, which reflects infrared components of the solar radiation.The IR-reflective coating therefore reduces the heating of the vehicle interior due to direct sunlight, as well as the heating of the underlying layers of the composite pane 10, which in turn cause indirect heat input through thermal radiation. Since the photovoltaic module 4 absorbs and is sensitive, at least primarily in the visible spectral range, the power yield of the photovoltaic module 4 is not significantly reduced by the IR-reflective coating.

[0051] Additionally, light irradiation into the vehicle interior can be reduced if the inner pane 2 and / or the second thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 are tinted or colored. The outer pane 1 and the first thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 can be clear to improve the yield of the photovoltaic cells 5.

[0052] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the bypass element 6 from Figure 1. The bypass element has a housing 6.1 with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm. The bypass element 6 can comprise a diode and / or other electronic components. The bypass element 6, in particular the diode, is located in the housing 6.1. Furthermore, the bypass element 6 can be electrically contacted at two points from outside the housing 6.1.

[0053] Housing 6.1 can have a rectangular basic shape with a length greater than 5.9 mm and a width greater than 5.8 mm. The thickness (height) of housing 6.1 is, for example, 0.38 mm or 0.73 mm.

[0054] The bypass element 6 has two flat conductors as connecting lines 6.2. The connecting lines 6.2 protrude from the housing of the bypass element 6.1. One connecting line 6.2 is shorter than 10 mm. The connecting lines 6.2 of the bypass element 6 preferably contain copper, iron, aluminum, steel, in particular spring steel, and alloys thereof, particularly preferably chromium-nickel alloys, copper-iron alloys, brass, or bronze. The connecting lines 6.2 can be coated with another metal or metal alloy. For example, the connecting lines 6.2 can be nickel-plated. Such bypass elements have a low installation height and can therefore be easily and space-savingly integrated into the composite pane 10.

[0055] Surprisingly, it has been shown that such a composite pane 10 according to the invention generates significantly improved energy and achieves improved efficiency compared to previously known composite panes in the case of partial shading. Furthermore, the composite pane according to the invention is space-saving, simple, and cost-effective to manufacture. This allows for greater design freedom in the vehicle interior.

[0056] List of reference symbols:

[0057] 1 outer pane

[0058] 2 inner pane

[0059] 3 Intermediate layer

[0060] 4 photovoltaic modules

[0061] 5 photovoltaic cells

[0062] 6 Bypass element

[0063] 6.1 Bypass element housing

[0064] 6.2 Connection cable of the bypass element

[0065] 7 External connection

[0066] 8 conductors

[0067] S Series connection of photovoltaic cells

[0068] 51 first series connection of photovoltaic cells

[0069] 52 second series connection of photovoltaic cells

[0070] 53 third series connection of photovoltaic cells

[0071] 10 Composite pane

[0072] (I) surface of the outer pane facing away from the intermediate layer

[0073] (II) surface of the outer pane facing the intermediate layer

[0074] (III) surface of the inner pane facing the intermediate layer

[0075] (IV) surface of the inner pane facing away from the intermediate layer

Claims

Patent claims 1. Composite pane (10) for a vehicle comprising at least: • an outer pane (1) and an inner pane (2) which are connected to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), • a photovoltaic module (4) with a number of individual photovoltaic cells (5) electrically connected to one another between two external connections (7) in a series circuit (S), wherein the photovoltaic module (4) has a bypass element (6) bridging at least one of the photovoltaic cells (5) and is arranged between the outer pane (1) and the inner pane (2), wherein the bypass element (6) comprises a diode and wherein, in the case of a shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell (5), the bypass element (6) acts as a current bypass for the shaded or faulty photovoltaic cell (5).

2. Composite pane (10) according to claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic module (4) has a plurality of bypass elements (6) and one bypass element (6) is provided for bridging a series circuit (S) of at least two photovoltaic cells (5).

3. Composite pane (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the series circuit (S) comprises two to thirty series-connected photovoltaic cells (5).

4. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photovoltaic module (4) comprises one to ten series circuits (S) of at least two photovoltaic cells (5).

5. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the photovoltaic module (4) and the at least one bypass element (6) are embedded in the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3).

6. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two external connections (7) of the photovoltaic module (4) are led out of the composite pane (10) between the outer pane (1) and the inner pane (2).

7. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a current generated at least by the unshaded photovoltaic cells (5) can be tapped at the two external terminals (7) of the photovoltaic module (4).

8. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) contains or consists of at least polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

9. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the composite pane (10) is curved.

10. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composite pane (10) is a roof pane of the vehicle.

11. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the bypass element (6) has a housing (6.1) with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm.

12. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the bypass element (6) comprises two flat conductors as connecting lines (6.2), in particular protruding connecting lines (6.2).

13. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the connecting elements (6.2) of the bypass element (6) are galvanized.

14. Composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a functional coating having infrared-reflecting properties, anti-reflective properties or low-E properties is arranged on a surface (I, II, III, IV) of the outer pane (1) and / or the inner pane (2).

15. A method for operating a photovoltaic module (4) in a composite pane (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the photovoltaic cells (5) of the photovoltaic module (4) is bridged by means of a bypass element (6) in the composite pane (10) in the event of shading or a defect in the photovoltaic cell (5), so that a current is diverted via the bypass element (6).

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