NOVELTY - A diode-included connector comprises a diode having an anode and a cathode; a first electrical connection (108-1) to the anode; a second electrical connection (108-2) to the cathode; and a third electrical connection (108-3) to the anode.    USE - The diode-included connector is used in a photovoltaic laminate and a photovoltaic assembly (all claimed). In comparison to embedding bypass diodes in the laminate, the approach enables a defective diode to be readily switched out, thus avoiding the need to replace an entire module if its diode fails. A diode operating in a connector can dissipate heat more readily without disadvantageously heating the module.    ADVANTAGE - The present invention provides improved photovoltaic modules such that they may be produced cost-effectively and installed more efficiently.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are:    (1) a photovoltaic laminate comprising a string of photovoltaic cells, the string having a first end and a second end; a first discrete penetration of the photovoltaic laminate; a first electrical conductor which is electrically connected to the first end of the string and extends out of the first discrete penetration; a second discrete penetration of the photovoltaic laminate; and a second electrical conductor which is electrically connected to the second end of the string and extends out of the second discrete penetration; and    (2) a photovoltaic assembly comprising first and second photovoltaic laminates, each photovoltaic laminate including a string of photovoltaic cells having a first end and a second end, and first and second weatherized penetrations; a first electrical conductor electrically connected to the first end of the string and extending out of the first weatherized penetration for each the photovoltaic laminate; a second electrical conductor being electrically connected to the second end of the string and extending out of the second weatherized penetration for each the photovoltaic laminate; and a first connector which comprises a first diode having an anode and a cathode, the anode being electrically connected to the first electrical conductor extending out of the first weatherized penetration of the first photovoltaic laminate and to the second electrical conductor extending out of the second weatherized penetration of the second photovoltaic laminate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic diagram of a diode-included connector.    Heat sink (103)    Housing (104)    First electrical connection (108-1)    Second electrical connection (108-2)    Third electrical connection (108-3)