PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERCONNECT SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS

摘要

Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series by a substantially transparent top sheet having an embedded conductive wire grid pattern. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising:
applying a photoactive composition to a conductive substrate to produce a continuous sheet of flexible photovoltaic material including first and second cell regions; scribing through the photoactive composition to electrically isolate one or more interconnection regions disposed on the top side of the conductive substrate from the photoactive composition surrounding the one or more interconnection regions; cutting the photovoltaic material into first and second discrete photovoltaic cells corresponding respectively to the first and second cell regions, each cell region including photoactive composition disposed on a top side of a conductive back sheet, wherein each conductive back sheet is a portion of the conductive substrate, and the first cell region includes a first interconnection region of the one or more interconnection regions; preparing interconnection tape including a conductive strip disposed on a dielectric strip; applying the interconnection tape to the first cell region such that the conductive strip contacts the first interconnection region; electrically connecting the conductive strip to the top side of the conductive back sheet of the first cell region through the first interconnection region; folding the interconnection tape to a folded position, the folded position corresponding to the conductive strip wrapped around the dielectric strip; preparing an optically transmissive front sheet including an embedded conductive wire pattern; and electrically interconnecting the first and second discrete cells by placing the conductive wire pattern in electrical contact with the photoactive composition of the second discrete cell and with the conductive strip that is electrically connected to the top side of the conductive back sheet of the first discrete cell.