Question

What is a bypass diode?

Answer 1

1. Diodes connected in parallel to the single solar cell is a bypass diode.
2. The bypass diode is connected in opposite polarity to a solar cell.
   
3. They provide a path for the fault current under fault conditions or open circuits.
4. Any crystalline PV module comes with bypass diodes as standard equipment.
5. The aim of the bypass diodes is to eliminate the hot-spot phenomenon, which can damage PV cells and possibly cause a fire if the light striking the PV cells in a module is not uniform.