AUTOMATED FLEXIBLE SOLAR CELL FABRICATION AND INTERCONNECTION UTILIZING ROLLS EXPANDED METALLIC MESH

摘要

A method for forming photovoltaic cells comprises providing a first roll of a photovoltaic material and a second roll of an expanded metallic mesh. The photovoltaic material comprises a photoactive material adjacent to a flexible substrate, and the expanded metallic mesh comprises a plurality of openings. Next, an electrically insulating material is provided adjacent to an edge portion of the photovoltaic material. The photovoltaic material from the first roll can then be brought in proximity to the expanded mesh from the second roll to form a nascent photovoltaic cell. The electrically insulating material can be disposed between the expanded metallic mesh and the photovoltaic material. Next, the nascent photovoltaic cell is cut into individual sections to form a plurality of photovoltaic cells.

主权项

1. A method for forming a photovoltaic module, comprising:
(a) providing a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, wherein an individual photovoltaic cell of said first and second photovoltaic cells comprises:
i. an expanded metallic mesh that is disposed adjacent to a top surface of a flexible thin film photoactive device; andii. an electrically insulating material disposed between said expanded metallic mesh and said flexible thin film photovoltaic device at an edge portion of said flexible thin film photoactive device; and (b) bringing an expanded metallic mesh of said first photovoltaic cell in contact with an underside of said second photovoltaic cell, thereby electrically connecting the thin film photoactive devices of said photovoltaic cells to form said photovoltaic module.