First Solar, Inc.

Ways of making and using tandem photovoltaic devices are provided, where such devices can include a first submodule, a second submodule, and an interface between the first submodule and the second submodule. The interface permits a portion of light to pass therethrough and optically couples the first submodule and the second submodule. Optically coupling the first submodule and the second submodule includes reducing reflection of the portion of light passing through the interface.

In accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic (PV) top module, to be used together with a PV bottom module, e.g. an SI-based PV bottom module, is provided. The method may include monolithically interconnecting a plurality of thin film based PV sub-cells, manufactured using a perovskite material and/or a CIGS material as solar absorbing material, in series on a substrate in order to create a PV top module including at least one first PV top sub-module, and arranging metal grid lines on top and bottom contact layers of the PV top module. The metal grid lines may be arranged either above or below the top and bottom contact layers of the PV top module.

Structures and methods for making and using tandem photovoltaic devices are provided, where such devices can include a first submodule, a second submodule, and an interlayer disposed between the first submodule and the second submodule. The interlayer permits a portion of light to pass therethrough and includes first and second conformal layers along with a core layer. The first conformal layer directly contacts and conforms to a surface of the first submodule, the second conformal layer directly contacts and conforms to a surface of the second submodule, and the core layer is disposed between the first conformal layer and the second conformal layer.

The invention relates to a thin film solar module comprising a monolithic solar cell array ( 1 ), including a plurality of solar cells ( 2 ) with a layer structure, comprising a rear contact layer ( 3 ), a front contact layer ( 4 ) and an absorber layer between the rear contact layer and the front contact layer, and an electrical connection structure ( 6 ) for electrically serially connecting neighbouring solar cells. The invention also relates to an associated production method. In the thin film solar module according to the invention, the electrical connection structure includes contact strips ( 7 ) for electrically serially connecting neighbouring solar cells, wherein the electrical connection structure electrically serially connects two respective solar cells ( 2 m , 2 m+1 ) that are adjacent to one another in a series connection direction (RS) via one or more contact strips ( 7 ). The contact strips run spaced apart from one another and transverse to the series connection direction with a direction component in the series connection direction in connection strip regions ( 8 ) of the solar cells. Each contact strip contacts a side ( 3 a ) of the rear contact layer of the one solar cell facing an absorber layer and a side ( 4 b ) of the front contact layer of the other solar cell facing away from an absorber layer, wherein the connection strip regions of the solar cells have connection recesses ( 9 ) in the front contact layer and the absorber layer for exposing the side of the rear contact layer facing the absorber layer. The invention also relates to the use of same in thin film solar cell technology.

According to the embodiments provided herein, an island in a regular, closed shape is ablated in a first conductive layer. An interconnect is formed through the island, using the island as an alignment fiducial. The island and the interconnect are isolated from the remainder of the first conductive layer.

According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can have one or more cells with a conducting layer interconnect.

Photovoltaic devices, and methods of making the same, are described. A photovoltaic device comprises a plurality of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic cells comprise a conducting layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing an absorber layer; an insulating material disposed on the second surface over at least one of the photovoltaic cells; a conductive member on the insulating material, wherein the insulating material is configured to electrically insulate the conductive member from the second surface; a bus member electrically coupled to the one of the plurality of photovoltaic cells and to the conductive member; and an edge seal comprising a sealant material extending over at least a portion of the one of the plurality of photovoltaic cells; wherein the bus member is disposed between the edge seal and the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

Photovoltaic devices, and methods of making the same, are described.